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Elvis cousin Billy Smith was a part of the star s inner circle, The Memphis Mafia. He lived on the grounds at Graceland with his wife Jo and sons Danny and Joey. In a new emotional video, Billy remembers the day The King died, and his feelings of heartbreak and disbelief. His family share their memories of the devastating first few hours and how Lisa Marie came to them for comfort.
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Lisa Marie lost her father when she was only nine years old. She inherited the house where Elvis had doted on her day and night, which has since been preserved exactly as it was when The king tragically passed on August 16, 1977. Over forty years later, fans still suffer intense grief over their idol s death but Lisa Marie has spoken powerfully of trying to deal with losing someone who was at once simply her father but also so much more than that and so much larger than life - as much in private with her as he was on stage.
It was Elvis’ other cousin Patsy Gamble on the phone and she told Joey to get his dad.
Billy answered and she told him the tragic news that “Elvis was gone” and he’d been taken to the hospital.
The Memphis Mafia member hopped on his motorbike there and understandably says he was too upset to see the body of the man he’d been speaking with so warmly just a few hours prior.
Elvis’ funeral took place just two days later and he was buried next to his mother Gladys in Forest Hill Cemetery, before both were moved to Graceland’s Meditation Garden where their graves are to this day.
Elvis performing in 1977 (Image: GETTY)
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Appearing on the Memphis Mafia Kid YouTube channel, Billy said how during the game Elvis hurt his shin before they vacated the court so that Ginger and Jo could have a game.
Once he’d assessed on the sofa that he wasn’t bleeding, The King then went over to the piano, which you can see on the Graceland tour to this day.
Elvis began to play what ended up being something of a final private concert for his cousin and the last time he sang.
According to Billy, The King sang Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain and Unchained Melody.