I don’t know if you caught the notice, but Graceland Enterprises’ managers are looking for people with personal stories to tell about the king of rock ‘n’ roll. Graceland is gathering stories from former Presley friends, associates and fans for an oral history enterprise call “The Elvis Presley Legacy Project”. Each story is videotaped and the tapes will be included in “Graceland’s archives” (more on that later). 

Clarence and I were close to Elvis back in the early ‘60s - Vegas. He used to sneak in to catch our late show so he would be un-noticed. 

A couple of months back Clarence and I were up at Sirius Radio doing an interview with Cousin Bruce. When the producer of their “Elvis station” heard about us, they called to do an interview too. Then, Sinatra producer called, the ‘60s producer, the reggae show producer, etc. till we wound up doing 6 shows on satellite radio. We’re headed back to Sirius XM earlier this week where Clarence and I were guests with “The Ron & The Fez Show” and Bruce Morrow.  

Clarence and I loved our first visit to Sirius radio, especially since we were unsure we’d be inducted in the Rock HOF. We had lost out before when the voting was over. Why should this year be different? The respect and attention we experienced that day at Sirius was a “boost Clarence and I needed”. It was great and thanks to their VP Steve Leeds, the broadcasts went on via satellite and online. Our story was being told finally.  

OK, so we’re humble what can I say? Our HOF induction validated everything The Imperials and I worked 50 years for and it is a blessing, man. The Imperials and I are congratulated everywhere we go. The induction was over 2 months ago and we’re still getting to revel in it. That is a blessing that keeps on giving. Elvis was too – he was the most giving person I had ever met in the business and a friend.  

Elvis used to call me “Lil’ Ant-Ney” and both Clarence and I really miss him a lot. When some people pass, it was their time to move on and they lived a full life. Others, their life is cut short like my son Casey’s was. Elvis died way too soon too. Clarence and I know that we were fortunate to have had his friendship in our lives. We miss him every day. 

THROUGH THE PORTAL 

I guess I will go on record as saying that on Saturday, the 13^th of June at the Izod Center in Meadowlands sports complex in NJ, The Imperials and I experienced two things that significantly changed our lives. One is we have notched our “last Doo Wop Reunion concert” and let me clarify something, we are not retiring. We just decided that the half-hour “Doo Wop” gigs are part of our history but we are still touring. Retiring? You must be kidding me. I have said previously that our “best is yet to come” and that is the truth.

Deniece Williams, Mary Wilson and next year, Petula Clark will all join us on tour.

The second thing we did was we introduced Robert DeBlanc, our new tenor. The concert and Robert’s vocals were a big hit. Sure it was rainy New Jersey but you could not tell that from the 13 thousand of fans who attended the concert. It was a success but I had to explain onstage, Little Anthony & The Imperials are not retiring – not yet.  

I want to welcome Robert, our newest Imperial and also mention that we will continue to work with Harold Jenkins, who is now working on getting healthy. Harold’s throat problems, though minor, has become an ongoing annoyance for Harold. I think he made the right decision and I’m sure his doctors feel the same.  

This Izod concert was important to me. It represents a threshold we are now passing through – better yet, a portal. I gave them all I could – my talent, my soul, my voice and our hits. When we finished our 30 minute set, the audience gave us a standing ovation. I love standing ovations. It is the audience giving you, the artist, the ultimate praise and acclaim right there, right then. I thank you all.  

During the finale number, Sting’s “Every Breath You Take” all of the artists on the show participates in closing out the night. In years past, we used to close these “Doo Wop shows” with “Goodnight Sweetheart” made memorable by Pooky Hudson and The Spaniels. It was a big hit in its day, back in the early ‘50s but now in the 21^st century, a show like this needs life pumped into it. I tried to get the promoters to change the closing number. Just to do something different – something lively. But they kept resisting my suggestions but the night of June 13^th, I convinced those running the show to accept the change to “Every Breath”.  

The closing number was a big success – better than I had imagined it would be. I knew it would work but it went beyond my expectations. The Izod audience went crazy and they were asking for more. It was close to 11 o’clock and when you are dealing with a union venue, like the Izod Center, there is no overtime. I don’t blame the union dictates since those people at venues like this work hard. They start their day early and work a 12-hour day sometimes when I show is presented. That’s a long day in anyone’s book. 

So, The Imperials and I are now going through a “career portal” and when we appear on the other side, we will be taking Little Anthony & The Imperials to another level. A creative level in show business few have attempted especially in the latter portion of their career. We like to take chances and this chance feels so right to us. Like my good friend, the late great Sam Cooke said, “it’s been a long time comin’” – yes it has.  

MELBA, MELBA, MELBA 

Well, we are back at our “New York headquarters” – OTA preparing for another gig, Melba’s party (please refer to last week’s column). If you can’t let me refresh your memory a bit: Melba is the mother of my daughter Liza and when I put my book together, there will be ample information on “our friendship”.

Melba Sanchez and I are really good friends and even though our relationship ended one way, it blossomed in another. Melba is a special person and if you don’t believe that, here is a fact for you. There will be over 500 people attending her birthday bash – WOW! 

I now find myself in the company of “columnists” and I consider myself fortunate to be included in this elite group. But as with any group, you have the good and the not so good. Many years ago, there was a columnist named Walter Winchell. He was the complete opposite of Melba Sanchez. Winchell was mean-spirited and flaunted his column’s power. He later was accused of enhancing the careers of some celebs and ruining others with “little regard” at time, for what was true – what was innuendo.  

When Winchell died, his funeral was hardly attended and the only family representation, as I remember, was his daughter. Melba’s birthday, by comparison is attracting hundreds and she is loved. Winchell got, I guess, what he deserved. Melba is also getting what she deserves - only Melba is being applauded for her life and her work. Happy B-Day Melba! 

MISS LIBERTY 

My wife Linda and I are heading for the twilight of our years and our children are fully grown with their own kids. We have time to spend with each other and we cherish the time we spend together. We’re having fun and we love to be “tour-istas” when we can. I convinced Linda to join me on this trip to New York. Now you have to understand, Linda is a California gal and whenever she comes to New York, she is awe.  

We had a blast man and we decided to take in New York from the ground up. Linda has never seen some of the New York things I have taken for granted. So, we headed out sightseeing and the first place we headed to was The Statue of Liberty. Now, I have to tell you, I was born in New York but for some reason, I never made to visit “Miss Liberty”. For that matter, there are bunch of New York things I have not gotten around to. Linda and I then set out, after “Miss Liberty” to see if we could conquer New York. 

Next, was the Empire State Building but before we left “Liberty Island”, we journeyed to Ellis Island and since I am a history buff, Ellis Island is a “treasure” for me. I was telling Linda about the US and history of immigrants. In one mid-sentence, it dawned on me that I was having trouble relating to those “bring me your hungry” immigrants. My ancestors did not come by way of their own doing. They were sold into slavery and brought to the “The New World” in chains. Coming to America was not by choice but selection.  

The combination of those enslaved, others seeking religious freedom, a new life, etc. is are “the things” that ironically, make American great. Our country is a melting pot and sometimes, you throw an ingredient into the mix that doesn’t seem quite right. However, after it boils and simmers, the soup has a unique taste, a satisfaction, a new-ness and a spirited texture. That ingredient was the key to making “good soup” and is evident when we say, “God bless America”. We, Americans can taste it.

HE DROPPED THE BALL 

The Imperials and I have “friends” at every gig we do. We have friends in Miami. Ft. Lauderdale, Nashville, St. Louis, Cleveland, New York, LA, Charleston, etc. and they treat us royally man. Our friend Tom Dilafore called to say he had a group of tickets for the Yankees-Mets game. Man, a subway series – if that isn’t cool, I don’t know what is.  

I invited my daughter Liza to join us first-off. Next, I invited my other daughter, Antoinette (but she had to work unfortunately). So, Tom, Tom’s father, Clarence, Liza, George Dassinger and his lovely wife Isabel all headed to the new Yankee Stadium, Friday night, the 12^th. 

Liza is a Yankee fan and all the rest of us, Mets fans, I think. I have to say, it was the best game I have ever witnessed. It was great: the hot dogs, the rivalry, packed house, pretty girls and the new Yankee Stadium is vivid to see - like laser colors and flashing lights. 

Everything was going great and it looked like the Mets would walk away with a win. It was the ninth inning and there were two outs with the Mets best reliever on the mound (he is affectionately referred to as K-Rod). The Mets needed one more out and yet, there were two Yankees on base. Alex Rodriquez steps up to the plate and after two strikes, the Mets win was in striking distance. The Yankees were down-and-out (almost). 

K-Rod threw a slider and A-Rod popped it up. I figured the game was a wrap. Goodnight. I turned and started to retrieve my belongings. I hear the crowd roar – what happened? The Mets second baseman had dropped the ball - “an easy out”. Oh no! I still can’t believe he dropped the ball. As a lifetime Mets fan, this game really “hurt so bad”.  

THE ELVIS LEGACY PROJECT                                                               

We are trying to figure a way to tape an interview for Graceland and their “Elvis Presley Legacy Project”. Tapings can be an easy thing to schedule or a problematical one. Logistics is the name of the game and it is in George Dassinger’s capable hands. If there is a way to get our comments filmed, he’ll find a way. Clarence and I really hope we can participate.  

Here’s an interesting tidbit: George was a VP at Rogers & Cowan (a famous public relations company) and was assigned from the New York office to help open Graceland to the public. The one-on-one interviews with Priscilla, the photo of Flaming Star in Time Magazine, opening week launch, Vernon Presley at the gate, the Elvis fans and the worldwide media Graceland attracted quickly helped Graceland become a “fan mecca”.   

You know what they joke, “Elvis has left the building”? Well for Clarence and me, Elvis is always with us. You see performing is something The Imperials and I love to do. I now call Vegas home but back in the late ‘60s-‘70s, this town rocked.

Elvis was “The King”. When Elvis died, Clarence and I did not lose “The King”, we lost one of our best friends in this “crazy world we call showbiz”.  

In some ways Elvis is now a greater icon than ever -- funny how that worked out. Every time we perform on stage, we think Elvis could be sitting in the audience smilin’ and sayin’ “Lil’ Ant-Ney”.  Maybe I should save some of the Elvis stories for my book – ya think?