“I didn’t think you could do that to me”: Elvis Presley Punched His Friend in the Face and Fired Him Out of Insecurity
Apart from being the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley also ruled millions of hearts of people across the world. Even today, years after the unfortunate demise of one of the greatest musicians of all time, the indelible mark that Presley left on the world of music and acting cannot be overlooked.
Elvis Presley hardly ever went anywhere without his entourage, which consisted of a blend of friends and employees. Even though traveling with the superstar must have been an amazing experience for those who got the opportunity, it was not all roses. While it may come as a surprise to many, Presley was not always a delight to work with. During one particular instance, the Love Me Tender actor’s insecure nature got the better of him.
Elvis Presley Physically Abused his Friend Over his own Insecurities
The man, the myth, the legend, Elvis Presley’s life and works have often been a topic of great discussion. People dreamed of watching him perform live, and maybe getting to meet him. But as some accounts from back then suggest, he may not have been the most appreciated presence around, at all points of time.
Presley’s was a dynamic personality. The Southern gentleman’s charm usually worked its way on anyone. But greatness never stops one from being human. Presley too was a man of vices and follies. Sonny West, who was a close friend and bodyguard to the Can’t Help Falling in Love singer, revealed an instance like this in Peter Guralnick’s Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley.
One day Presley and the entourage had some girls over. Everyone was drunk and flirtatious. And when Presley went around kissing more than one woman, things got a bit hairy. As West recalled the incident (via Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley):
“We had all been drinking a bit, and so had Elvis. Tuesday and Elvis are on the couch and I’m talking to this girl. Elvis leans over and kisses her and says, ‘You’re really cute.’ Well, I knew that was the end of me trying to score with this chick because whatever Elvis wants in the way of women, he gets.”.”
Presley saw his friends West and Gene Smith chatting and assumed they were saying nasty things about him. He was mad and asked West about it. That’s where things got violent. Presley, under a misapprehension, which was a projection of his insecurities, went over and attacked West.
The Friend’s Reaction About Getting Punched
Elvis threatened West to reveal what he was talking about, saying: “Tell me or I’ll break your goddamn head open with this bottle.”
West was taken aback by his friend’s behavior but didn’t expect Presley would hit him. Frustrated, West quit the job but Presley beat him to it saying he couldn’t quit because he was fired. As West recalled:
“He drew back and punched me in the face. I didn’t move. I didn’t even feel the blow, but I could feel the tears of motion coming out of my eyes, and I said, quietly, ‘I didn’t think you could do that to me.’”
Elvis Presley’s behavior was a result of his own insecurities and put an instant end to what could have been a great friendship. Of course, Presley, like everyone else was also entitled to the odd mistake, even though he took things a bit too far during this particular incident.
