My Interview with the King

It was a Friday night in February of 1969 and I had just worked a long 10 hour day as a general assignment TV report for KHOU TV, CBS, in Houston, Texas, and I was tired. All I had in mind was getting a little sleep at home.

But then the news director said he could not find a reporter who wanted to go to the Astrodome and interview Elvis Presley who was a featured performer at the Fat Stock Show and Rodeo. I was selected because I was the newest reporter on staff. I was not exactly thrilled because I was not a big Elvis fan. I was told to make sure I asked him about his weight problem. I told the news director and producer that I was not going to ask Elvis why he was getting so fat, but I knew I had to ask the question about his weight gain.

The Astrodome PR people had set up a news conference at 8 pm at the Astroworld Hotel across from the Astrodome. When I arrived Elvis Presley was waiting for the photographers to set up their cameras. I introduced myself, and my photographer to Mr. Presley and his people, who always seemed to be around him. I remember there were several newspaper reporters there who were already asking questions while we set up. Elvis jokingly began to do sound checks with photographers. He said things like "this is Elvis here, can you hear me, are you there?" Elvis was extremely friendly with us while we set up the cameras and lights. He joked about "getting his best side," but he said "he didn't know which side it was." Once the photographers were ready my photographer Wally Athey said, "we are we all rolling." I took out my short list of questions that had been suggested by the producer and the interview with the King of Rock n Roll began.


Elvis had performed before at the Astrodome during the Rodeo Season so he talked about how great the Houston audience was. Elvis said he always enjoyed performing in the Astrodome and said he would always come back if they invited him. He said he was going to sing some of his old favorites and had a new song or two to introduce to the Texas fans at the Dome.

I ask Elvis if the acoustics in the dome were a problem, because I remember doing interviews in the center of the dome on the P-A system and there was an echo feedback on everything you said. Elvis said his sound people had that problem taken care of and that he didn't hear the echo when he sang.

Elvis was wearing his famous white jumpsuit and because he had gained weight some of the wags in the newsroom said he look a little like the Pillsbury Dough Boy. Remember I was told to ask the question about his weight gain. I really did not know how to approach this sensitive subject. I mean how do you suggest to the King Of Rock n Roll that he looks fat in his white jumpsuit. Thank goodness for one of those newspaper reporters who always interrupt TV interviews with questions, said, "Elvis I understand you have been gaining weight?" "How much have you gained?

Elvis said that he had lost some weight and planed to lose a lot more. Then a print reporter asked if he would wear a black outfit for the show? Elvis said no.

I asked Elvis if he remembered his time in Texas when he was driving a truck? He said, "yes I did do some truck driving, but when ever I had a chance I was singing." We continued talking with Elvis for about 15 minutes. Then some of his people began saying "Elvis has to go now." I said one moment please so we can shoot our reverse cutaways. Elvis said we can't forget his cutaways, and laughed. The photographer placed the camera over Elvis' shoulder and said, "I am rolling." Elvis started trying to make me break up on my questions. The King of Rock n Roll said to me "Well don't just sit there ask me a question. This did break me up for a moment. Then I started with another cutaway question and Elvis said some thing like "that's the best question you have. I said, Mr. Presley I have to get through these questions on camera, and he laughed and said OK I will be your straight man. I continued to ask my questions on camera and Elvis continued making faces at me that could not be seen on camera. He was really having fun, and I also was enjoying this little break from the stiff news conference format. After shooting the questions Elvis and I joked around a little and he said make sure you come to my show. I said of course, my wife would never let me miss your show. We will be there. Once again his people said "Elvis has to go now," and we said good-bye and I wished him luck on his show. For a real Super Star he was a nice guy and made the interview easy to do. I have interviewed lesser stars who would act like they were so important and they were doing you a favor to talk with you on camera. But the King was true royalty. He was tops in my book.

My wife Linda and I went to his show that coming weekend in the Dome and it was great, he was cheered by my very excited wife and 50,000 other Texans. To his Texas fans he was a true home boy King.

I never saw the King of Rock n Roll in person again, and when I heard the news that he had died, I remembered how this famous Rock Star had been so friendly and kind to this greenhorn TV reporter. I said a little prayer for the King. Long live the King!


Note: The TV interview I did with Elvis Presley was filmed by another production company that has included parts of the interview in a TV Special that has been shown on TLC, and may be seen again during this 25th Anniversary of his death. You will not see me in the Special, they cut me out, but you can hear my questions.
Filed August 16, 2002, the 25th anniversary of Elvis' death.