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Me and a Guy Named Elvis  By  cover art

Me and a Guy Named Elvis

By: Jerry Schilling,Chuck Crisafulli
Narrated by: William Dufris
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Publisher's summary

On a lazy Sunday in 1954, 12-year-old Jerry Schilling wandered into a Memphis touch-football game, only to discover that his team was quarterbacked by a 19-year-old Elvis Presley, the local teen whose first record, That's All Right, had just debuted on Memphis radio. The two became fast friends, even as Elvis turned into the world's biggest star. In 1964, Elvis invited Jerry to work for him as part of his "Memphis Mafia", and Jerry soon found himself living with Elvis full-time in a Bel Air mansion and, later, in his own room at Graceland.

Over the next 13 years, Jerry would work for Elvis in various capacities, from bodyguard to photo double to co-executive producer on a karate film. But more than anything else, he was Elvis' close friend and confidant. Elvis trusted Jerry with protecting his life when he received death threats; he also asked Jerry to drive him and Priscilla to the hospital the day Lisa Marie was born and to accompany him during the famous "lost weekend", when he traveled to meet President Nixon at the White House.

Me and a Guy Named Elvis looks at Presley from a friend's perspective, offering readers the man rather than the icon, including insights into the creative frustrations that led to Elvis' abuse of prescription medication and his tragic death. Jerry offers never-before-told stories about life inside Elvis' inner circle and an emotional recounting of the great times, hard times, and unique times he and Elvis shared. These vivid memories will be priceless for Elvis' millions of fans, and the compelling story will fascinate an even wider audience.

©2006 Jerry Schilling (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Schilling's heartfelt narrative makes this more than just another piece of Elvis product." (Publishers Weekly)
"Me and a Guy Named Elvis is not only authentic, honest, and truly moving, it is a marvel." (Priscilla Presley)
"Jerry Schilling has captured the beauty of my father's spirit in a way that has never been done before....This book is by far my favorite." (Lisa Marie Presley)

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What listeners say about Me and a Guy Named Elvis

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Easy Read

This book sat on my wish list for a while because I was picturing some tell all, expose' style book. Well it waited much too long, and it wasn't anything like I expected. It's not so much about Elvis but more about what it would be like to have Elvis in your life. Which as one could expect is exciting, luxurious, celebrity filled and above all unpredictable. Jerry Shilling (author) did an awesome job with this book and it was a very EASY read. Just think of somebody telling you the most amazing life story around a campfire while you relax, sit back and enjoy.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

JERRY SCHILLING IS A LOSER!

I just HAD to keep on listening to this book all the way through to the end because I assumed there HAD to be SOMETHING interesting in it considering that the guy who wrote it opened the book by stating that Elvis was his best friend. While he did say at that point that he "cannot necessarily say that he was Elvis's best friend" in return, I thought he was just being modest...HE WASN'T! Hour after hour passed in which very bland stories would be labored through only to reveal NOTHING of interest except for the fact that Elvis was able to keep his "Pee-Ons" enamored simply by his presence even after having known him for 10 or more years! During EVERY story in the book this pitiful scrub of Elvis's would be practically giggling like a school-girl for having been "actually sitting at a table with Elvis Presley and -----". GET OVER IT! For someone who is supposed to have been a GOOD (let alone "the BEST") friend of ANYONE, the amazement of being with them during a mundane dinner party or backstage at the 1000th gig SHOULD HAVE worn off after the first 10 years of being with them if you REALLY were that close. It went from annoying to pathetic to just plain pissing me off that I wasted so much time listening to a book by an obvious "hanger-on" that was simply used by Elvis for years (so much that Elvis actually screwed this guy's girlfriend behind his back!) until finally Elvis died and this loser was left with nothing on his resume but having been Elvis's gopher and shoe-shine boy well into his late 30's! Even worse:I know there are people out there that would DIE to be "this guy" just to be near whatever "celebrity of the moment" they are able to hook up with. I wanted a story about Elvis by an inside guy to hear some cool stories about his REAL LIFE--at least I know now not to bother buying the Howard Stern book by that berry-face Ralph Cirella!

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

Narration too dramatic

This book was a bit of a surprise to me and I enjoyed almost every chapter. Not a huge Elvis fan but learned a fair bit. Biggest complaint is the dramatic "over the top" read by the narrator. Kind of like how your Grade 3 teacher would read out loud to the class. Some might like that style...not me. I will avoid books read by this narrator in the future.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

soooo good

First off, I just want to say, I've never been a huge fan of Elvis, but after listening to Priscilla's book, I must admit I was curious to listen to this one and it didn't disappoint. I actually enjoyed this book better. From someone who wasn't a big fan to someone who now has a great respect for Elvis; I'd say give this book a try, it doesn't disappoint. I found myself crying at many moments feeling as though I was right there and knew him myself. Great job Jerry. Elvis would be proud I think.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This Book Really Moved Me

This book was pure magic to me. I am not a lifelong Elvis fan, but lately have been exploring him as an entertainer and a spiritual influence to many people. The book really captured the magic of the period and seemed genuinely heartfelt and with a sincere enthusiasm that helped recreate the thrills of an overall happy and uplifting time. Mr. Schilling, however, does not gloss over the failings and pains in Elvis' life, but addresses them with the sympathy, love, and frustration of a true friend. The book is a real gem and the narration does a good job of tapping into the emotion and excitement of the story - not a dry read! In turns it made me feel like a wide-eyed kid in the south, an excited teenager realizing his dream of befriending an idealized elder brother, a sad and sometimes helpless watcher of tragedy, but most of all like a true friend and never-ending admirer of a very deep and special person who poured his heart out to the world ... oh yeah, and also like a front-row fan to the most incredible 20-year concert you could imagine!

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Book!

Jerry Schilling does a great job revealing a whole new side to Elvis Presley. I was just a kid when Elvis was alive, I only knew what the media broadcast about him. I never knew Elvis was such a caring and giving person. It's a shame the media doesn't cover this more.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great book!

It is a heartwarming story of a kind generous person and a grateful loving human.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This book is a treasure.

Jerry Schilling does an admirable job reading his wonderful memoir. By chance, 12 year old Jerry meets 19 year old Elvis when he wanders over to Guthrie Park in Memphis looking for something to do. He’s recruited to be the sixth player on a touch football game with a bunch of “older boys.” Elvis turns out to be the quarterback for Jerry’s team. The beauty of this book is the sincerity and respectfulness with which Jerry tells the story of his friendship with Elvis for the next 23 years. The reader gets to know Elvis, Jerry and others in Elvis’ inner circle as humans with complex personalities. The story is endearing and heartfelt. This trip down memory lane is a journey worth taking. We get to know Elvis, the man behind the icon.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Must read for Elvis fan.

Terrific book. Let's you know what Elvis Presley was really like and how he felt.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

Such a wonderful insight to Elvis’ world. Not many people left that lived with him and have these amazing stories. So thankful Jerry wrote this.

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