legendary DJ and friend to Elvis Presley
MEMPHIS, Tenn. George Klein, the deep voiced radio personality who became https://www.bamschaatsteam.nl friends with Elvis Presley in high school and stayed close to the King of official canada goose outlet Rock ‘n’ Roll throughout his career, canada goose uk shop has died. He was 83.
Presley’s former wife, Priscilla Presley, told The Associated Press that Klein died Tuesday at hospice in Memphis. Priscilla Presley said Klein had been suffering from illness, canada goose outlet including pneumonia, for about two weeks. She said she had been in Canada Goose Online constant contact with Klein and Presley’s other canada goose factory sale close friends, including Jerry Schilling and Marian Justice Cocke, while Klein was ill.
was a Memphis treasure, said Kevin Kane, president and CEO of Memphis Tourism. was Memphis personified. met Elvis Presley in 1948 at Humes High School in Memphis and they were close friends until the rock ‘n’ roll icon died in 1977. Klein was part of Presley’s entourage, known as the “Memphis Mafia,” and enjoyed telling stories about the times he and Presley spent together.
But Kane said Klein legacy went far beyond Elvis as host of radio show Party, he helped introduce the world to other Memphis music greats, including Sam canada goose outlet in usa the Sham, canada goose outlet online uk The Gentrys and the Bar canada goose outlet store uk Kays. He continued his public role for six decades, but never left his home in Memphis and probably never missed a Memphis Tigers game, Kane said.
Elvis Presley Enterprises released a statement Wednesday on Klein passing:
“Priscilla, Lisa and all of us with Elvis Presley Enterprises are deeply saddened that we have lost our dear friend George Klein. Elvis and George met at Humes High School in canada goose clearance Memphis and formed a lifelong canada goose coats on sale friendship. Elvis stood up as George’s best man at his wedding and canada goose jacket outlet George remained a close confidant throughout Elvis’ life. After Elvis’ passing, George continued as a great friend and supporter of Graceland, Lisa and Priscilla and continued to canada goose clearance sale honor Elvis’ legacy through sharing stories and memories with fans around the world canada goose outlet uk as a DJ on Elvis Radio at Graceland. Our hearts are with George’s family, friends and fans as we celebrate his life and his important place in the history of Memphis music.”
Priscilla Presley said her former husband liked Klein’s outgoing personality, his loyalty, and his sense of humor. She called their friendship a “guy’s thing,” canada goose outlet store with their own inside jokes and “their own language.”
Elvis Presley used to affectionately call Klein “GK.”
“Their friendship was golden, truly Canada Goose Jackets golden,” she canada goose outlet toronto factory said in a phone interview from Los Angeles on Tuesday night. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard George say anything bad about anybody.”
Roses are left next to George Klein Brass Note on a Beale Street sidewalk in Memphis.
Presley served as Klein’s best man, and Klein was a pallbearer at Presley’s funeral. Klein appeared in his friend’s film, “Jailhouse Rock.” When Presley was posthumously inducted into the Rock Roll Hall canada goose uk outlet of Fame in 1986, Klein made the acceptance speech.
“Personally, Elvis was a great friend to me,” Klein said in the speech. “You know, I never saw Elvis refuse an autograph. I never saw Elvis refuse a handshake. canada goose outlet shop I never saw Elvis refuse to take a picture with anyone.”
Klein hosted a radio show featuring Presley’s music on Sirius XM. He had also hosted canada goose factory outlet radio and television shows in Memphis dating to the 1960s. Klein was known throughout the city, speaking at charity events for no pay, Priscilla Presley said.
University of Kentucky basketball coach John Calipari, a former head coach at the University of cheap canada goose Memphis, said on Twitter that he would talk basketball with Klein before and after games.
“He has been an unbelievable ambassador for the city, for Graceland, for Elvis Presley and his family,” Calipari wrote.
Congressman Steve Cohen released a statement saying, Klein was a friend of Elvis, a friend to many and a friend of mine. A member of the Memphis Mafia and always TCB, George kept Elvis’ music at the forefront from the days of “Jailhouse Rock” to “Elvis Time” on SiriusXM satellite radio. He was always a nice guy and we were mutual friends of the cheap canada goose late Irvin Salky. His was a life well lived and he will be missed.”.