Apex Publishing Ltd: Independent International Book Publisher for unknown and established authors

Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!: A Look Back at the Good Times
By Sandi Haynes Pichon

- - Newspaper & Website Reviews
We have had the inside stories from the bodyguards and friends, but this time its from a fan. Not just an ordinary fan, but one who got to know Elvis and spend time with Elvis.
www.elvis-express.com
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I wanted to thank you so much for writing the book, sharing the photos, etc. It was a wonderful read and I will certainly be telling others about it.
www.elvisisintexas.com
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Fantastic! What a refreshing breathe of air amongst the polluted deluge of rubbish us mere Elvis fans have had to endure since his passing. This is one for the fans and for those who remember Elvis the man and not Elvis the Creation! An age of innocence that is captured with true love and respect. Your secret diary of a treasured time revealed after all these years. Thanks for letting us sneak a look. Well done Sandi, Elvis would be touched.
www.fergusmoriarty.com
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There always seems to be a new book about Elvis coming out, most of which seems to be fairly limited print runs and available mainly through specialist Elvis dealers. This new book “Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!” has recently been available on the website “Amazon.co.uk” so I ordered a copy. With my Elvis bookshelves practically at breaking point, I don’t purchase all the Elvis related books that come out these days, especially the “expose” type ones or the ones that are factually inaccurate and written by people who don’t have the faintest idea about our man, but this particular book has been compiled by a loving fan, who met Elvis and almost became a part of Elvis’ “inner circle”. Sandi Pichon was a fan at the age of 12 in 1956 and was born in Memphis, so had an advantage straight away. In the book, she recounts the time when herself and a friend of hers were driven to Elvis’ then home Audobon Drove by her parents, in the hope that they might just catch a glimpse of Elvis! As her parents waited patiently in their car down the other end of the street, Sandi and her friend just hung about outside for an hour or so with no luck. After a while, Elvis’ father and mother drove up into the driveway, got out of their vehicle and went into the house. Minutes later, Vernon came outside with two glasses of lemon pop for the girls as Vernon thought they might be hot and thirsty. After a little while longer, who should appear but Elvis himself! He let the girls sit on his motorcycle and was generally caring towards them. After agreeing to sign the girls’ autograph books for them, the girls made off, excited and overwhelmed. This was the start of a love affair for Sandi that still goes on to this day, and the book tells about her visits to Elvis’ tours and concerts throughout the 1970’s. The book also includes many previously unpublished photographs from Sandi and other fans’ archives, including some lovely shots taken at Atlanta Airport in July 1973 and a candid shot showing a relaxed and happy Elvis with fan Colleen Taylor. After managing to get front row seats for several concerts and always managing to present Elvis with a gift during the shows, Sandi and her friend’s’ faces became familiar to Elvis. One night, whilst staying in the same hotel as Elvis and his entourage, Sandi and her friend were spotted by Elvis and his group, and were engaged in conversation for several minutes. The girls eventually become on first name terms with Sonny West and others, who offered them tickets to various shows, should they need them. The book goes on to tell the story right up until the later concerts in 1977, detailing the decline in Elvis' appearance and performance. It also gives the overall impression that Elvis really cared about his fans, and despite health problems at certain times, really did his best to please and entertain. Although a lightweight read, this book, on the whole, shows a positive side to Elvis and is written with love from a fan who was there and who is not an obsessed fanatic. Recommended.
Tony Dobb, The Capital Elvis Monthly Newsletter
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Like millions of first-generation Rock & Roll teens, Sandi Haynes Pichon, Author, Columnist & President of TCB ELVIS STYLE Fan Club in Louisiana, was Raised on ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS! In between the time she sat with him on his motorcycle at his Audubon Drive home until the day she stood weeping by his coffin inside Graceland, Sandi was front row and center for ELVIS concerts all over the country. As a pre-teen in Memphis, she was there to witness a regional attraction which become a national obsession; she devoted years of her adult life to being part of his global audience, and has since dedicated herself to charities that pay homage to his iconic memory. Through several chance meetings with ELVIS himself and friendships with his inner circle Sandi was close enough to feel for the wonderful man that was living in the shadow of his awesome reputation. They exchanged gifts and kisses across the footlights and she was invited to the parties after the shows and even to Graceland Mansion. "I was so fortunate to have been able to have such meaningful contact with the most beloved entertainer ever," Sandi relates. "I always knew that I was there for the millions who wished they were, so this story belongs to all the fans, who have loved him, turned their rooms into shrines to him, and stood by him for all these years." So now enjoy this pictorial novella of a time and place where a man changed the world one heart at a time. RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS! is written by Sandi Pichon and published by Apex Publishing Ltd. ISBN : 1-904444-23-7 Price: £19.99 ($35.00)
www.elvis-express.com
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Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! is an excellent illustrated memoir of Sandi Pichon’s experiences close to the Legend, and the Man Elvis Presley. From her first meeting in 1956 when Gladys Presley offered her some lemonade, through the fatal August ’77 and her last gaze at Elvis’ dead body, Pichon’s book takes us to the good times, as promised on the front cover of the book. Whilst there is the pleasure of reading, Sandi opens her private photo collection to us in order to illustrate her story. She gives us a vivid description of all her experiencing, putting everything into perspective by her photographs. Sandi recounts her intense feeling while attending Elvis concerts as from 1972. The majority of the photos in the book are in fact concert shots taken by herself, mostly in 1975 and 1976, and moreover, her story is told from an insider’s point of view. Thus, Pichon’s story is given life, such that we can almost say that we were there ourselves. We were in the crowd, and even closer, a friend of Elvis. Apart from the experiences on tour, Sandi describes the instance when she was allowed to enter the Stax Studios where Elvis was recording in 1973. Strangely enough, she is in various ways positive on Parker’s management of the Presley Estate. Enthusiasm and honesty are the major ingredients of this book, one which is, and will continue to be loved by its readers. As regards the pictures, one can say that they themselves make buying the book worthwhile. It contains roughly 130 photos, some of them full-page (A5-size). Many of them are new even to ardent picture collectors. Some have also confessed that this is even a better picture book than Shaver’s Elvis In Focus in quantity and moreover in the quality. The cover in itself gives a pleasant presentation of the book, and it should get the viewer interested in the book. Some technicalities are not as perfect as such a book should have them. There are some basic, almost ridiculous errors which should have been avoided. Therefore, the book needed some proof reading before publication to avoid errors such as dating a Vegas photo in May, rather than March. In certain instances, Sandi also engages in a rather too sentimental an attitude which some fans love, and some others try to avoid. Besides that, all in all, through this book, Sandi Pichon has become the one who was there with Elvis for those of us who were not able, or not lucky enough to be there. It is particularly incisive upon the new generations of fans and non-fans who would possibly give a look at this masterpiece. This is a book written not by somebody who wants to say that she was there, but by a true Elvis fan & friend.
www.kennyelvis.net
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The book is fantastic and has great photo's. It is very produced and very well written. Sandi was very lucky to know Elvis.
www.elvisexpress.com
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Well, Pichon should know. Pichon is the president of the TCB Elvis Style Fan Club. Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! is a lavishly-illustrated novella that takes you deep in to the heart, mind and soul of a rock-solid Elvis fan. The author is probably correct in her assertion that he was the most beloved entertainer ever. This volume is a touching memorial to The King, but – and I think more importantly – a testimony to the positive influence that he had on people’s lives. Pichon met Presley on several occasions and, in this volume, is astute enough not to simply rehash the old “legend” material one normally finds in books on this subject. Pichon makes Elvis real through her own experience and this book is definitely worth a read.
Mike Hallowell, The Shields Gazette
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Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! is a superb book from Sandi Haynes-Pichon and a credit to the publishers Apex Publishing Ltd. Real Elvis fans must get this book. When you read it, it take you right into the life and times of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Sandi takes you there and you feel as if you were part of Presley's inner circle of friends the way she was. In the very early days of being close to Elvis, she sat on his motorcycle and got a hug. This would be the start of a life clearly dedicated to following Elvis wherever he appeared and Sandi rarely missed a show and clearly was much more than just a fan to Elvis too. There are some great examples of all the fun times and more than its share of heartache too, especially towards the end of a true superstar taken far too young at forty-two to the other side. Sandi put the question - could any woman have really been that special girl that could have given the unconditional love his mother had always given him? Who can say? As Sandi seems to suggest, perhaps not. There is a collection of superb photographs in this book many of Presley onstage and some quite unique ones of him with ordinary fans as well. Some years ago I wrote a best-selling book in America called Beyond Death: Conditions In The Afterlife with Professor Hans Holzer who conducted seances after Elvis's passing over to the other side for family members. In my book was a report of what I received as a medium from Elvis Presley the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Hans endorsed my work and brought it to the attention of those that knew Elvis best. I was never lucky enough to meet Elvis when he was alive, yet from a little boy had always been a massive fan of his. How lucky Sandi Haynes-Pichon was to meet up with and get to know Elvis, I am sure millions of Elvis fans like myself worldwide would have loved to have done. But as a medium I have no doubt Elvis would be delighted by Sandi's book and extremely grateful to her for the way it has been written with love, honesty and truth. Too many books have been written about Elvis that were either an utter nonsense, designed to earn a fast buck at the expense and ridiculement of the great man. If you love Elvis like me get this book, you won't regret it and it is something you can read again and again. Thanks Sandi for 'properly taking care of business' as EP would have put it.
Philip Solomon, Wolverhampton Express & Star
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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Pick Me Up Magazine

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Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!: EIN takes a look inside one of the best ever memoirs from someone who became a friend of Elvis. With rare photos and many great stories written in an easy going, engaging style, Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! is a book all fans should enjoy.
www.elvisinfonet.com
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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Dumbarton and Vale of Leven Reporter

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Clydebank Post

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Barrhead News

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Irvine Times

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
The Brit (Madeira Newspaper)

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Ardrossan & Saltcoats Herald

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Ayr Advertiser

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
Tenerife Property Guide

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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
The Self Publishing Magazine

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The "Elvis picture book" concept is being killed by the internet, because they're all there for free. The stories in these books are just there to fill-in pages between pictures and usually read like someone's diary, listing jumpsuits and songs and detailing the activities or Elvis' level of performance. Fortunately Pichon and Peters have found the winning formula in the pictorial novella "RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!" by balancing the pictures with a tremendous storyline that is historic and insightful. The pictures are used to put you in the middle of the scene, so that they're relevant to the story and therefore interesting; when the ladies take a wild ride to the concert right behind Elvis in the motorcade the snapshots taken on the fly allows you to join the moment and share the good time that they were having.
Gypsy Irwin, Hollywood Night Move Magazine
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This is the story of a little girl who got to sit with Elvis' on his motorcycle at his Audubon Drive home and grew up to stand over his coffin inside Graceland Mansion, in between, her life was filled with concerts, and good times with Elvis closest friends, as well as chance meetings off stage and kisses on stage with "The King." I loved reading this story and so will you.
Vivica Tetrault, Vivica's Views
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This is not simply another pictorial of gilded Elvis photos, but a look inside the life and heart of the man from the greatest perspective of all; an Elvis fan who was there from the beginning - from a far, from up close and finally face to face. It's exciting to follow her adventures as she made whatever arrangements necessary to be out there in the front row in city after city, night after night literally driving to beat the band to the next gig, so she could be there to exchange gifts and kisses with ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!. This is a story that must be preserved by those who were there so that generations to come will know the euphoria of being a fan is his presence.
David Kane, Reviewpoint
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She is a fan who met Elvis lots of times and the book details the parallels of her life with Elvis' life, hence the title "Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" In the book she looks back at the good times at the concerts and Vegas shows she attended, becoming friends with the Memphis Mafia, and how Elvis changed as he became ill. According to the information from Sandi the book will contain 40 pages of unpublished photo's, both concerts and candids, from Sandi, Dorothy Campbell, Keith Alverson, George Hill and Joyce Biddie Hulsey. The foreword was written by Kathy Westmoreland.
www.elvisnews.com

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Advert in Essential Elvis Magazine: (Photo: Sandi Haynes Pichon with Andrew Hearn - editor of the Essential Elvis Magazine)
www.essentialelvis.com


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A HUNK OF BURNING LOVE - Woman writes about her life as an Elvis fan, Sunday April 11, 2004. By Ann Barks, Contributing writer. In 1956, Sandi Pichon was a bored 11-year-old girl sweating out summer living in Memphis, Tenn., when she got the idea to knock on rising star Elvis Presley's back door. Such was the beginning of her years-long friendship with one of the most famous entertainers of all time. Pichon, who now lives in the Bayou Liberty community near Slidell, is keeping her love for the King alive by writing a book, "Raised on Elvis," that details how her teen and adult years were impacted by Elvis. Pichon is president of an Internet-based fan club that is holding an event Saturday in Slidell to honor Elvis and his generous heart. "He made a difference. He changed music. And once he touched your life, you were never the same," Pichon said. Pichon's relationship with Elvis began during that summer visit in 1956, just as his rocket rise to international stardom was launching. It was the briefest of encounters in Elvis' backyard, Pichon recalled, but before he roared off on his motorcycle he told Pichon and her best friend to come back whenever they wished. That invitation was taken to heart and the girls visited every chance they could, Pichon said. After her family moved from Memphis the following year, it wouldn't be until 1972 that Pichon saw Elvis again. Serendipitous meetings and crossing paths for several years finally resulted in a chance for Pichon to tell Elvis she was that same little girl from all those years ago in Memphis. She went to a few concerts and before she knew it, she and a good friend started becoming regulars at both the performances and the get-togethers after the concerts -- thanks to getting reacquainted with several of the people she'd met as a young girl and who were still working for Elvis. "We became more friends than anything," she said of her relationship with Elvis staffers, known within the inner circle as the "Memphis Mafia." They seemed to enjoy that Pichon and her friend, while fans, were not of the screaming variety. They were more and more accepted into the fringes of the inner circle. For the last five years of Elvis' life, Pichon and her girlfriend devoted themselves to attending his concerts, eventually seeing more than 150 performances. "I didn't think he could sing without me in the audience," she joked. She still marvels at the continual polish of his performances, and in her book she describes her feelings as she watched the drugs and health problems affect her music idol and friend. Her perspective on the more controversial aspects of his lifestyle at the time, she said, is tempered knowing that "he was sick and we could see it was a sickness and he was taking pills to help the pain" of bone cancer. While Pichon said she was told in 1974 that Elvis had the disease, it "only came out probably last year to the general public that he had bone cancer." "It broke my heart to see him going down," she said. The last time she spent time with him was in 1976. Shortly after that, she moved from Georgia to Covington, where she had moved to be near a friend and open a shop with her in Metairie. A few months later, she went to see an Elvis concert in Baton Rouge. The change in the King was more than just physical; none of the Memphis Mafia she knew so well and who had been with him for so long were working for him anymore. It was the first time in five years that she had no inside connections, no front-row seat, no special invitation to visit before or after the show. She sat in her seat, watched him perform and knew something was wrong. "I was crying because he looked terrible," she said. She contacted several former inside people she knew but no one felt there was anything they could do. Not long after that, she was in her shop in Metairie when she heard Elvis had died. She flew to Memphis, was admitted inside Graceland by Elvis' uncle to pay her final respects and was able to say a private farewell at his open casket. When she returned home and the impact settled in on her, she packed up all the things she'd gathered over the years -- scarves Elvis had given her at concerts, autographed pictures, pictures of concerts, pictures of her and Elvis, guitar picks he used -- and never told anyone about her connection to the superstar. Even her husband, Stanley, whom she met a few years later, didn't know about her and Elvis until they'd been married more than a year. She wouldn't return to Graceland until about five years ago, when she did so at her husband's suggestion. While there, a chance meeting with the owner of an Elvis gift shop who recognized her name led to her desire to start writing a journal to record her memories. She also again got involved in the life of Elvis fan clubs and reclaimed past friendships with former staffers, including backup singer Kathy Westmoreland, she said. They encouraged her to share her journal, telling her that it was a rare look inside from a fan's perspective. Once she decided to do it, it didn't take her long to find a publisher interested in the book she could write from the journal. As she was putting it together, a friend and fellow Elvis fan helped by filling in with details of the concerts and other historical perspectives, she said. The book is being printed by the publisher in England. On Saturday, the Elvis fan club of which Pichon is president, TCB Elvis Style, will hold a "meet and greet" from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. Admission is $10, with proceeds to be donated to Presley Place, the charity foundation set up by Lisa Marie Presley in her father's memory, and to Community Christian Concern. More than 200 and perhaps as many as 300 fans from across the country and Canada are expected, she said, thanks to the reach of the fan club, which centers largely on its Web site, www.geocities.com/bellechene/TCBElvisStyleFanClub.html. Guests will include Patti Parry, whom Pichon describes as the only female member of the Memphis Mafia; Ed Bonja, Elvis' official photographer; Charles Stone, a member of Elvis' advance team; Elvis "tribute artists" Arik Christopher, 29, of Georgia, and Clyde Perkins, 11, of Slidell; and a "surprise guest." There will be vendors of Elvis memorabilia with displays, a performance by Christopher, prizes for the best Elvis costume from one of his movies, and raffles and door prizes of Elvis items that have been donated for the event. For more information on the book, the fan club or Saturday's event, call Pichon at 649-3116.
The Times-Picayune (USA)
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Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! A Look Back At The Good Times with Sandi Haynes Pichon Sandi Haynes Pichon & Thorne Peters; Foreword by Kathy Westmoreland Apex Publishing Ltd, 2004, UK, Softcover,196 pages, Illustrated, ISBN: 1-904444-23-7 Sandi Haynes Pichon is one of those people most Elvis fans envy! Why? Because Sandi became one of Elvis' friends and was admitted to The King's inner circle. She hugged Elvis on his motorcycle at his home on Audoban Drive, attended after show parties and visited Elvis at Graceland. Her memoir, Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!, is both similar and dissimilar to other books of its ilk. Professionally produced, it is a flavoursome record of laughter, awe, tears and great times in the presence of The King of Rock 'n' Roll. Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! has a pleasing book design. Its pages are well formatted with ample white space separating text and visual making it very easy on the eye. The print size is excellent and those with eyesight difficulties will particularly benefit from this. This release has three distinct strengths: * engaging, easy to read text expressed with warmth and compassion by a person who shared part of Elvis' life * great color photographs most of which have never been published before * high quality paper stock allowing the many visuals to really shine Ms Pichon's narrative reads like a diary as she recalls each moment of being in The King's presence, watching him live on stage and attending his after show parties with the Memphis Mafia and other celebrities. There are many great and sometimes sad stories from the taping of Wink Martindale's famous "Dance Party" to Jackie Kahane being booed off stage at Madison Square Garden, fun times with Uncle Vester and the greed exhibited by cold-hearted vendors following Elvis' death. And as you'll read, Sandi Pichon was also there in Greensboro the night Elvis made very unfortunate remarks about Kathy Westmoreland and The Sweet Inspirations. Importantly, Sandi's song-by-song descriptions of Elvis concerts vividly brings to life the magic of The King's charisma. Sandi Pichon and Thorne Peters know how to engage the readers interest with an easy flowing writing style full of interesting narrative: "The group was off to Philadelphia and then to Memphis, while I made arrangements to be there on August 31st in Macon. But in those ten weeks the core of his world was shaken to its foundation in ways that no one could have imagined when he took a drastic action that would profoundly alter his life and legacy." The author does not hold back her feelings and there are a number of passages that have particular potency. On the last few months of Elvis' life Sandi Haynes Pichon writes: "I have wondered so often if any woman could have helped Elvis when he needed to turn to that special person when he felt alone, bored or just plain fed up with his lifestyle. He never found that one person to love him unconditionally like his momma had and he searched in vain to find another kindred spirit. The immature young waif that he was involved with was way over her head and neither understood his world, nor cared for him adequately." The photographs, of which there are many, include numerous great shots of Elvis on stage in some of his most pronounced and colorful jumpsuits. There are also several intimate candids snapped during the 1950s and later showing Elvis with fans. As candid shots they obviously aren't of the same quality as is found in many "professionally shot" photo-journals but despite this they in no way disappoint! The chapter titles are cleverly drawn directly from Elvis' career with titles such as 'Pot Luck', 'From Elvis Presley Boulevard', 'Don't Leave Me Now!', 'Promised Land' and 'The Last Farewell'. Verdict: There have been many memoirs by fans lucky enough to have known Elvis Presley. Sandi Haynes Pichon's book ranks as one of the best ever and while it will arguably be appreciated more by women than men, it deserves to be read by all fans. Recommended for anyone wanting to experience the atmosphere of actually "being there".
Nigel Patterson, President of the Elvis Information Network - www.elvisinfonet.com
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“Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!” Written by Sandi Haynes Pichon Published By: Apex Publishing Ltd, United Kingdom Soft cover: 8 x 6 in size Books can be ordered directly from the author at: Sandi Pichon, 35077 Hwy 433, Slidell, LA 70460, USA Cost: $43 includes shipping All books will be autographed and personalized. Are you one of the many Elvis fans that wished you could have seen him live in concert, but you were never able to experience him for one reason or another? OR are you one of the lucky ones that did see Elvis, perhaps many times? BUT did you write down your experiences? Did you get to meet him or really get close? Did you get a kiss? A scarf? Do you recall all the wonderful details of everything he said, did or wore? Chances are you have answered NO to a few of these questions. This is a book written by a FAN. A wonderful, happy and joyous recounting of how she discovered, and first saw Elvis on stage at the Overton Park Shell (a surprise walk on). From the early days in the 50’s, to Vegas and on the road, Sandi went to many more concerts and performances thru the years. She shares some beautiful photos of those experiences as well. Meeting Elvis in person and being recognized by him at various shows and locations. She became a fan regular known by everyone. Something we all dream about. The paper is of rich quality, which adds to the enjoyment of the photos being shared. I highly recommend this book as a welcome addition to your collections! Order it now and tell Sandi “True Fans” sent you! You won’t be sorry!
Cathi Avenell, Elvis Newsletter
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THE WEEKEND WHEN PORTHCAWL WAS ALL SHOOK UP BY THE ELVIS INVASION The Mayor and Mayoress with some visitors from the USA. Second from right is Sandi Pichon, an author of a book on Elvis. Jena (second left) and Judy (extreme right) travelled from Dallas as part of Kraig Parker's entourage. (Photograph taken by Keith E. Morgan)
The Recorder

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PORTHCAWL GOES ELVIS CRAZY The Welsh seaside town of Porthcawl is going Elvis Crazy on the weekend of October 1st-3rd. The whole town is supporting this fabulous Event with even the Mayor and Mayoress renewing their wedding vows in a special Elvis themed chapel, along with many other couples. It is great to see a whole community behind such an exciting venture and there will be tribute acts from around the world. Fans who have read about Al Dvorin's sad death may know that he was with one of the ETA's, Kraig Parker in a show in Vegas shortly before he died. Kraig is a famous tribute artist in the States and is managed by Charles Stone who worked closely with Elvis, the Colonel and Al Dvorin putting on Elvis Shows from 1972-77. Charles' friend, Elvis fan club president Sandi Pichon has just released a new book "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" that has had wonderful reviews in the Elvis World and she will be in Porthcawl launching her book. You can see the 'Black Elvis', Colbert Hamilton and 'Maltese Elvis', Martin who both supported our promotion to launch "Elvisly Yours Restaurants" on July 5th. Colbert and Martin both made the final ten places in our contest. Then there is Dave Riley, the Welsh Elvis and a dear friend, Linda Gail Lewis. If you haven't seen Linda Gail Lewis perform you don't know what you are missing. Her version of "Great Balls of Fire" is as good as her brother's, Jerry Lee. Linda Gail was performing with Jerry for years. In fact, her dear brother knocked her off stage in Memphis during a gig after she got married to an Elvis Tribute Artist so she started her own solo career and has never looked back. She is the greatest female rock 'n' roll artist in the world and just watching her fingers fly across the keyboards as she plays is a sight to behold. There will be karaoke sessions, competitions and most of the events are FREE with over 30 different events in the town. A neat idea is a Welsh Male Voice Choir singing Elvis songs. Will they include "Green, Green Grass of home" and I wonder if Tom Jones will make an appearance? Full details about all the events and all the participating acts and artists can be found on the official "Porthcawl Elvis Festival" website: www.elvies.co.uk. You will find Porthcawl just off the M4 about half way between Cardiff and Swansea. It is the biggest Elvis Festival in Europe this year and promises to become an annual event that Elvis fans cannot afford to miss.
www.elvisly-yours.com
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Sandi Haynes Pichon was a fan of Elvis Presley who became a friend to him. She wrote a book called "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" about her experiences during the Elvis era. It will make many fans feel like they are experiencing her memories with her. Her memoirs represent the love of a generation of fans that are still dedicated to remembering him. She still remembers the feeling in her stomach when he would walk on stage just before the beginning of one of his concerts. She remembers the pure excitement every time. She said if you are an Elvis fan then no explanation is necessary. She is an author, columnist, and president of TCB Elvis Style Fan Club in Louisiana. She was born in Memphis, Tenn., and reflects the first time she met Elvis when she was only twelve years old. Pichon and her friend decided to visit him at his home on Audubon Drive one afternoon to try to get an autograph. They knocked on his back door since the front door was for company and they were told that he was sleeping. They decided to wait, and Pichon sat on his motorcycle. Mr. and Mrs. Presley pulled up in a pink cadillac and offered the girls some lemonade. Just as Pichon was about to take a sip of lemonade - she felt these arms wrap around her and she heard a voice say, "Wanna go for a ride?" It was Elvis, and she said she promptly spilled her lemonade. When the girls were about to leave he said, "you girls come back anytime." Her family moved to Florida, and 16 years would pass by until Pichon saw Elvis again. She saw over 150 concerts throughout the 70s, and was always in the front row. One time he threw a scarf towards her and some other girl caught it. He wanted her to have it, and he made sure she got it. In 1973, in Graceland she had the chance to see him during a recording session until 3 a.m. in the morning just listening to him play. She started to become a regular at backstage parties, and had many chances to meet him in person. She said she was trusted by the friends and co-workers of Elvis and they included her in the group. To this day she still keeps in touch with his friends which became like a family to her. "I was blessed - God gave me the Elvis world," she said. The last time she spent time with him was in 1976, before she moved to Convington, La. She went to see Elvis in concert a few months later in Baton Rouge, La. She said she was no longer in the front row, and didn't recognize any of the people she had once met. During the last years before his death, Pichon said his personality changed, and he was no longer the man she knew. She said he looked terrible at the last concert she saw him at. He was on a self destruction course and there was nothing anybody could have done, she said. When she heard that Elvis had died in August of 1977 - she didn't believe it at first. She was on the next plane to Memphis, and went to Graceland to pay her respects. She remembers falling into the arms of the friends she once knew. She was able to say a private farewell to him. "He knew that you loved him, and he loved you back," Pichon said. Sitting next to his coffin was a surreal moment for her, and very emotional. She thought at any moment that he would jump up and yell boo since he was a prankster at times, but it was real. "I was a lucky girl - I was at the right place at the right time." Her book was a labor of love, and she never thought it would become more than that. She said she always knew she was there "for the millions who wished they were." "This story belongs to the fans, who have loved him," she said. She will have a book signing in Picayune at the street fair on November 6 and 7. Stop by and see her memoirs about Elvis, and hear her stories. "The first time I met him he was innocent. I never knew how important that day would be. He made a difference. He changed music," she said. "Once he touched your life - you were never the same." ****Sandi Haynes Pichon wrote a book called, "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" about her memories of being a fan and friend to Elvis Presley. She reflects about the first time she met him at his home on his motorcycle to sitting next to his coffin the day he died. Any Elvis fans in Picayune will have a chance to meet Pichon during a book signing at the Picayune Street Fair on November 6 and 7 (2004).****
Jaime Insinga, The Times-Picayune (USA Lifestyles Editor)

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Sandi's book takes you into a world that many, sadly, have missed. Through her wonderful stories you can feel what it might have been like to be at an Elvis Concert or to be close in the Elvis circle. The best part of the book, the part that literally gave me the CHILLS, was when she describes her first meeting with Elvis at Audubon Drive. If only we ALL could be so lucky! Great memoreis for every Elvis Presley fan to experience.
Kari Lugo, Elvis International Magazine
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RAISED ON ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS!
The Star

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