| Let me tell you about my brother | | | | aware of the situation as Elvis' stepbrothers. The boys |
| A brother like no other | | | | are about to learn their first rule. |
| His father married my mother | | | | LESSON ONE: Never, under any circumstances, |
| But he's more than a brother | | | | reveal anything concerning Elvis to the public or the |
| Wherever I go | | | | press. This was the Golden rule, the boys always |
| The people keep asking me | | | | respected this rule. |
| What's it like to be the brother | | | | Billy, Rick and David all grew up very security minded |
| Of a Celebrity...... | | | | and tight lipped with any conversation outside the walls |
| By Billy Stanley | | | | of Graceland. |
| Billy, Rick and David grew very close to Elvis. | | | | The boys always looked forward to Elvis' return to |
| Elvis wasn't only their big brother, he became a role | | | | Graceland. Naturally, the feeling was mutual, Elvis also |
| model the boys admired and loved. | | | | looked forward to being home with his stepbrothers, |
| When Rick was in first grade of school, he | | | | but there were occasions where the age difference |
| remembers his first time autograph. Rick was feeling | | | | would effect Elvis and he simply didn't want his |
| pretty sure of himself this day, as he approached | | | | stepbrothers around. |
| some of the seventh grade girls asking them if they | | | | Billy, Rick and David learned how to be aware of |
| wanted his autograph. Sure enough being Elvis' little | | | | these occasions, giving Elvis his space and respecting |
| brother they weren't about to say no, so Rick took out | | | | his privacy, even though the boys longed to be in their |
| his crayon and started signing, just like his big brother. | | | | big brothers company. |
| Being apart of Elvis' world for the Stanley brothers | | | | But Elvis would spend valuable time with his brothers; |
| was fun, exhilarating and at times frightening when | | | | he would go all out when he had his brothers on board. |
| they found themselves suddenly thrust into Elvis | | | | Offering his brothers endless hours of fun excitement |
| Presley's golden aura. In the years to follow, it became | | | | and adventure. |
| more evident to the boys the powerful effect Elvis | | | | When they all got together, Elvis ran the boys ragged |
| Presley's presents had on the world. | | | | involving them in a range of activities. |
| To Billy, Rick and David, Elvis was just a guy that they | | | | There were times they would all be off to Memphis at |
| loved. But as the boys would soon learn through | | | | midnight in his fleet of cars, and times involving country |
| experiences watching the rest of the world going | | | | side all night horse rides. Other occasions involved all |
| crazy over their stepbrother, Elvis was more than just | | | | night movies, when Elvis rented the movie theater |
| a guy they loved. | | | | from Paul Shafer. |
| The Stanley boys new experience being stepbrothers | | | | There was a range of exciting experiences for the |
| to the King of Rock and Roll wasn't always fun and | | | | boys, go-cart racing, and touring around on Elvis' motor |
| games, it could get serious very quickly. | | | | bikes at exhilarating speeds. When the boys were |
| Dee Presley's concerns about the effects of Elvis' | | | | bigger, they would be included in Elvis' football games. |
| wealth and fame on her boys were always a high | | | | Ricky remembers, they would always team up against |
| priority. As the years went by, Dee would have the | | | | Elvis, and Elvis being the speedy sure handed flanker, |
| boys involved in Sunday schools, summer camps, | | | | he would knock the boys flying at full strength. Elvis |
| swimming pools, and a controlled group of screened | | | | being both big brother and father figure to the boys, |
| friends. | | | | the boys would turn to Elvis for advice. |
| Dee would offer to her boys the more conventional | | | | Elvis was always happy to offer when any of his |
| life in respect of the unconventional circumstances. Billy | | | | brothers reached for it, Elvis wasn't one to tell them |
| remembers, it being a fairly strict life. | | | | what to do; he would give his opinion on the matter, |
| Vernon would make sure the boys understood some | | | | leaving it completely in the hands of the one involved |
| rules with being apart of his sons world, having them | | | | to work it out. |