HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: July 19, 2016 - Actress Celeste Yarnall will appear at the "Conversations on Elvis" with TCM's Tom Brown at Graceland in Memphis. The "Elvis Week" event is slated for the Main Stage on August 15th at 9:00 am. If you are one of the lucky ones in Memphis this August, - and you have a ticket - you are in for a treat!
Celeste starred with Elvis Presley in the 1968 M-G-M film "Live A Little, Love A Little", many Elvis fans have followed her career and she is a fan favorite for appearances. In one famous scene Elvis sings his future number one hit, "A Little Less Conversation" penned by Mac Davis. Celeste became good friends with Elvis and it was an important time in his life. This film was Elvis' first adult role, where he uttered his first "damn" and "hell" on screen. It wasn't the typical Presley picture. This writer remembers Elvis saying: " I got tired of singing with some guy I just knocked out in the previous scene!"
Elvis' wife Priscilla had just given birth to their daughter Lisa Marie and "The King" was on a new direction with his career. Later the same year, Elvis would embark on his comeback to the stage with the NBC-TV special "Elvis" produced and directed by maverick Steve Binder. Elvis put his foot down to Colonel Parker to do the show his way - and the way Binder envisioned. rather than Parker having Elvis come out and sing 20 Christmas songs in a tuxedo - which is what the Colonel wanted.
Celeste Yarnall has been an actress since the 1960's and has starred in many film and television productions. She can be seen at "Star Trek" conventions, at times with series star William Shatner. Yarnall was in the classic episode, "The Apple". Her films include "Eve" which also starred Christopher Lee and Herbert Lom. In 1971, Yarnall starred as "The Velvet Vampire" a classic that is revered by fans including director John Landis.
"It was one of the great honors of my lifetime to have the pleasure of co-starring with Elvis in Live a Little Love a Little! Elvis I am proud to say became a dear and cherished friend as a result of that meeting. People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime and although there are amazing people that come into and through our lives he is one whose memory I carry with me." - Celeste Yarnall
An original poster of MGM's "Live A Little, Love A Little" from 1968.
Lovely Celeste Yarnall with Elvis Presley and Michelle Carey in a scene from "Live A Little, Love A Little".
Celeste Yarnall and her husband Nazim have their own line of Wearable Art.
A new Original Tee of Elvis and Celeste done by Nazim Artist is now available.
Nazim has done this art work, which can also me purchased in different forms including scarves.
The Elvis Collection just went live at the Nazim Artist VIDA Design Studio this month. Nazim’s original
graphite drawings of these creations are ready to go! So get yours as
soon as possible so that you can start sharing the love for Nazim’s
wearable art, commemorating this amazing performer.
Celeste Yarnall will be wearing one of these items when she appears on Stage for "Conversations on Elvis" on August 15th.
This original painting of Celeste Yarnall was done by Nazim Artist (c).
Actress Francine York Has Pneumonia, Sends Message To Fans
by Don Wilson
Francine York in Santa Monica, CA in June 2016. Photo: Don Wilson (c)
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA: July 19, 2016
Actress Francine York posted a message on social media today informing fans and friends that she has pneumonia and has been hospitalized for days. Ms. York who appeared with Elvis Presley in the film "Tickle Me", had been penciled in for the Questions and Answers with TCM's Tom Brown at Graceland in Memphis during Elvis Week. The event will still go on as scheduled on August 15th at 9:00 a.m. Guests are Celeste Yarnall, who starred with Elvis in "Live A Little, Love A Little" and Christopher Riordan, who appeared in several Presley films.
Francine York's Message:
"Unfortunately, I have been hospitalized for a wonderful case of pneumonia. It has been so much fun I can tell you. LOL Also, what really upsets me is I will not be able to make my wonderful visit as guest of honor at Graceland in August. I'm hoping to be fully recovered by then but traveling will be impossible. I will try to stay in contact with you when I can. Just to let you know that I love you all very much. You mean the world.
Lots of Love, Francine York "
This writer and Ms. York's friends and fans wish her a speedy recovery!
Actress Francine York in a still from the TV series "It Takes A Thief" from 1968.
He was my friend, a person who changed my life forever, someone that I will never forget. His name was Elvis – I first met Elvis when I was only nine years old. My dad had known Elvis, meeting him at the Eagle’s Hall in Houston, Texas, that night and he did one song. In fact, my uncle had booked Elvis for the gig on March 19, 1955. Silent western film star Hoot Gibson was there and my dad introduced them.
Elvis loved cowboy stars and was pleased to learn that my father was friends with his favorite, Gene Autry. Tommy Sands was also on the show. Little did I know, because of this night, I would be friends with not only Elvis, but Tommy Sands too. I would eventually perform on shows with Tommy years later.
February 1970: Elvis was coming to Houston for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
My father arranged with Colonel Parker for us to meet with Elvis prior to one of his performances. Elvis introduced himself and said “Hi, I’m Elvis Presley.” I replied “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Presley.” Elvis then said “Naw, I’m Elvis. ‘Mr. Presley’ is my dad over there!” It was a short meeting, but it left an impact.
A poster for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo from 1970.
These pages are inside the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo's Souvenir Booklet.
November 13, 1971: My father and I met with Elvis briefly before his performance at the Memorial Auditorium. My dad and Elvis started a quick ‘Cowboy Trivia’ game off the top of their heads and I had some answers, much to Elvis’s surprise. Elvis said “How come you know so much? You’re too young.” I replied “Old Westerns on Saturday mornings.” Elvis grinned and said “Oh!”
November 21, 1971: My parents and sister were killed when their car was struck by a train. There were no railroad crossing guards, nor signals. I was with my Grandmother at the time. It was a mere eight days after my dad and I met with Elvis. When I learned the news, I was devastated. I wrote to Elvis and informed him, I received a condolence card signed by him.
June 18, 1972: Elvis played the Tarrant County Convention Centre in Fort Worth. Joe Esposito escorted me and my aunt to see him at his suite. It was at the Sheraton Fort Worth, on the top floor. Elvis hugged me and said how sorry he was for my loss. Then Elvis said: “A great philosopher once said ‘To live in the hearts of those we leave behind – is not to die.’ I know what it’s like to lose a parent, but you have gained a friend, me.” I was able to visit Elvis every now and then after that, he made room to visit throughout his hectic life. Not only did Elvis call me friend, but many of his inner circle did as well. I have wonderful memories of the man they call "the king". Elvis never liked the title, although he appreciated his fans' enthusiasm. At one concert, a woman was holding a sign that read "Elvis Is The King!". Elvis said to her: "Honey, I appreciate you, but there is only one King and that is Jesus Christ."
I have so many memories of Elvis, but I can't write them all down in this story. I hope you will continue to follow this blog for more memories and exclusive stories and memories. I would never say to Elvis that "I like this" or "I like that", because he would just give it to me. So many took advantage of his kindness, I didn't want to be one of those people. The items that Elvis loved to give were books and he gave me a few of them, one in particular I am fond of Leaves of Gold. Elvis was a very spiritual person. He was very intelligent, a voracious
reader and a philosopher in his own right.
A wonderful book that Elvis gave to me, Leaves of Gold.
I attended Elvis' last concert at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana on June 26, 1977. Elvis introduced me in the audience and he sang "Hound Dog" near the closing of the show. Elvis introduced his girlfriend, Ginger Alden, her family and then said, "And Don Wilson..." Thankfully, this was recorded, it can be found on You Tube as "Elvis: The Last Farewell", an audio recording of that last performance.
On July 28, 1977, Elvis signed a typed thank you note and sent it to me. Two weeks later "E" was gone. The world was never the same, whether you were a fan or not, it was a day you would never forget. Sometimes, it seems a lifetime ago - because it was. Other times, it seems like only yesterday. Once Elvis touched your life, you were never the same. Thanks to Elvis, I have lifelong friends like Larry Geller, George Klein, Joe Esposito, Shirley Dieu and the list goes on. The late Richard Davis was my pal and he said Elvis was grooming me to eventually work for him.
David Stanley with Elvis at his last concert on June 26, 1977.
Larry Geller On Don Wilson
"I’m truly honored to have Don
Wilson as a close and trusted friend for many years. His unique talent
and good nature have allowed him to connect with a literal who’s who of
Hollywood. From the music, TV and motion picture industries, to the most
celebrated icons of our time - even being befriended by the greatest
star of them all, Elvis Presley – doors have opened for Don. He has
amassed an historic treasure trove of personal photos and memorabilia,
with the most intimate firsthand stories behind them. The entire
entertainment industry has opened their arms to this one-of-a-kind
individual – and now we’re privileged to share his journey.” - Larry
Geller
About Don Wilson
It was Don's late father who introduced him to rockabilly and Elvis Presley - literally , in the case of the King. In 1970, when Don was just 9-years-old, his father took him to the Houston Astrodome, where he met Elvis and saw him in concert. Several years later following the untimely deaths of his parents and sister in a train accident, Don was actually befriended by Presley.
It's only fitting that Memphis played a pivotal role in Wilson's musical journey. As the host of the weekly "Mystery Train" radio show on WEVL FM 90 from 1992 to 1995. Wilson interviewed former Presley associates and provided a forum for rockabilly discs and artists including another major influence, Johnny Cash.
Don Wilson and Billy Lee Riley in the control room at Sun Records in 1994.
It was during a Billy Lee Riley interview that Wilson was invited to sing with him on "My Gal's Alright," recorded at the legendary Sun Studio. From Memphis, Wilson moved on to Hollywood, becoming a production consultant for "The Definitive Elvis" DVD series.It was while arranging and conducting interviews for the 16 hour series (listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as "the longest documentary" ever produced) that he recorded two albums, "We're Gonna Rock!" and "Tribute To Johnny Cash" both produced by rockabilly legend Glen Glenn. - Pat H. Broeske
Don has been a Production Consultant on many video and book projects. Don is the former Sr. Vice President of the Southern California Motion Picture Council. Don was awarded the Golden Halo Nomination Excellence Award from SCMPC.
Joe Esposito, Don Wilson and Charlie Hodge in Nashville during production of "The Definitive Elvis".
1st Row: Don Wilson with: Elvis, Priscilla Presley, Red West, Linda Thompson, Sam Thompson and Mindi Miller 2nd Row: George Klein, Sandy and Wink Martindale, Charlie Hodge, Joe Esposito, Shirley Dieu, Sammy Shore and Jackie Kahane 3rd Row: James Burton, Jerry Scheff, Glen D. Hardin, Ronnie Tutt, Larry Geller and Barbara Leigh 4th
Row: Francine York, Stella Stevens, Donald Wilson II, Niecy Richardson,
Barbara Eden, Patsy Presley, Richard Davis, Sonny West Reeca Smith Gossan and Nancy Sinatra 5th
Row: Jerry Lee Lewis, Sam Phillips, George Klein, Richard Davis, Jerry
Schilling,Jerry Weintraub, Tanya Lemani George, Anita Wood and Joyce Bova
