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


- - Reviews by the Famous and Well Known
An enjoyable read. Not being an 'Elvis' fan, I am now able to understand more fully the devotion and adoration of the true fan. A personal journey, very well written and some superb photos. Well done.
Robert Auty, Author of 'Trance Warriors: The Siege of Scarn'
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Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! is written straight from the heart of a true fan/friend who knew Elvis both in his prime and in the years of his declining health, - and loved him unconditionally. The book is written in a straight forward, honest style that will capture your attention and your heart. There are many beautiful photos in the book which I'd never seen before, and truly enjoyed. Sandi writes as though she is talking with a dear friend, sharing the intimate story of her life. Her style is refreshing and charming, just as the author is herself. I bought this book in Memphis, and read it this week. It is one I will re-read often, because Sandi's words really touched my heart. Her love and devotion for Elvis shine through on every page of Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!, and her shared memories make you feel as if you were there with her. This is a book which will make you both laugh and cry, while it charms you into loving Elvis even more. If you enjoy reading material about Elvis which is written with love and total integrity, I highly recommend Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! to you. It will be a wonderful addition to your Elvis library.
Judy Davis, Touched By Elvis® Fan Club (President)
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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.
Fergus Moriarty, Star of West End shows - 'Elvis the Musical' and 'Rock n' Roll Heaven'
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Every so often an Elvis book comes along that captures the essence of who he was and what he meant to his fans. Sandi Pichon's new book, "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!", is such a book. Without the usual 'glitz & glamour' approach found in so many 'tell-all' books, Sandi relates, simply and in fascinating detail, her amazing journey - from a twelve-year-old admiring fan with the courage to approach her dream idol at his house, to a seasoned, matured veteran of many concerts in the seventies. And what a journey it was! Saving her money regularly so she and her friends could attend numerous shows across the country, she became a fixture in the front row, a devoted fan that Elvis came to count on seeing almost nightly. It even got to the point where he would ask where she had been if she missed a show or two. He also became accustomed to receiving personal gifts from her while on stage, gifts that came from her heart, paid for with her hard-earned money. One of many reasons why she came to be one of his favorite fans. Eventually being invited into the "inner circle" of Elvis and his entourage, she shares the thrill of what it was like to attend the 'after-show' parties and getting to know those around Elvis in a personal way. Her book, loaded with personal and intimate photos, takes the reader into the exciting world she was privileged to share. Very few fans can brag about not just a single kiss from Elvis, but numerous kisses of affection over several years, kisses given on stage from a world class entertainer to his devoted and beloved fan. Sandi is one of those who can. And the story that goes along with it provides a fascinating reading experience.
Jim Cox, Author of Author of 'Inside Graceland: Elvis' Maid Remembers'
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After reading Sandi Pichon’s book, RAISED ON ELVIS ELVIS ELVIS, I was left feeling I knew another side of Elvis. One that I didn’t know before as my relationship with him was from the inside. She gave me a whole different perspective of him that I had not known. Her words of him were warm, loving and she more than gives you the feeling of what it was like for her to not only be around him, but to watch and love him from afar also. The love and feelings that Elvis had for his fans and friends is evident through-out Sandi’s book and I think she speaks for a lot of fans that will identify with her and the stories she shares though-out her book. Those of us around Elvis got to know Sandi very well and she was highly thought of and a wonderful warm lady. I really enjoyed the book! (Picture, from left to right: Ed Parker, Jr., Sonny West, Sandi Haynes Pichon, Dave Hebler and David Stanley - W. Palm Beach, Florida)
Sonny West, Elvis's Close Personal Friend and Bodyguard

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I finished reading the book and enjoyed sharing Sandi's story. The book was very warm in Sandi's memory of Elvis and I felt that I was with her every step of the journey. I am privileged to share the blessings of Elvis. Sandi connected with "The Man" very young, driven by a desire to be close to something beyond description, although Sandi's writing seems to be composed with ease and clarity.
Alvin Smith, Elvis Tribute Artist
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After reading Sandi’s book about Elvis and the fact she knew him has made me quite intrigued to find out more about him. I’ve always liked Elvis (who doesn’t) but never more than that. But I have discovered he was a kind, caring, lovely man and it seems that just to meet him for two minutes would never be forgotten for the rest of your life. Sandi is a lucky lady and has written a lovely book. Well done Sandi.
Mary Howis, Author of 'The Mercury Man: Freddie Mercury In My Life'
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A "must have" for all fans of The King. Full of facts and trivia plus hitherto unseen photos that will delight everyone who remembers this most unique hero of the music world.
Sheila Collins, Author of 'Truffles Diary' & 'Truffles' Diary: One Year On'
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This book is a treasure that reveals the truth about what Elvis meant to his fans. It is written from a sane fan's point of view and her experiences. Most important to me is the fact she recalls events that even I had forgotten in the midst of living the experience. She also documents and proves what I have been desperately attempting to tell people - that there is a degree of TRUTH that is totally MISSING from all other accounts of Elvis' life, his illnesses being the most important to me. Enjoy this gem... this most wonderful book. Thank you, Sandi, for writing this... and thank you for being a true friend to Elvis and to me... and to the others who had the most awesome experience of a lifetime.
Kathy Westmoreland, Backing Singer for Elvis - Written the Foreword
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Being involved with this book was personally compelling, because I was able to experience the wonder of Elvis through Sandi's eyes; she was there for the dawn, the rise, the exile, the comeback, the glory and the tragedy of the phenomenon known as ELVIS! ELVIS! ELVIS! Her expression of love speaks for millions and will reach out and touch those who seek to discover the essence of the man and his music and understand why he remains so beloved.
Thorne Peters, Author of 'Around Elvis'
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It was just three and a half short years ago that I received Sandi's original manuscript "Raised On Elvis". I guess I was probably one of the first people to read Sandi's story. Sandi asked me to peruse her manuscript and give my opinion - while also checking for typos. Well folks, I ended up reading the original manuscript three times before I returned it to Sandi - I was hooked and this was only the draft copy! About a year or so later I received Sandi's handmade galley copy that included many of the photos that Sandi had taken of Elvis over the years. Once again I re-read the book and found it just as enjoyable as the first time - actually even more so now that it was enhanced with great photos. This is a book written from the heart, full of love and a tribute to Elvis the "MAN". This is not just a story about Elvis - it is also a story about my special friend Sandi Pichon - a little girl from the South that grew up to be a genteel Southern lady and became friends with a true Southern gentleman - this will always be Sandi's story and will forever remain her legacy!
Pete Smith, Friends Through Elvis
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This new book by Apex Publishing Limited in England and written by Sandi Haynes Pichon is as mentioned on the front cover “a look back at the good times...’’ This 196 pages book (21cm x 14.8cm) is printed on high quality glossy paper, which is a big plus considering there are a lot of colour photographs (about 105 pictures) throughout the book. I was really looking forward this book since I knew that Sandi had GREAT pictures and good stories to tell from her touring days from a fan point of view. “Raised On Elvis” starts with the foreword by Kathy Westmoreland and then followed with sixteen (16) chapters, each being titled with an Elvis’ song or album from her first meeting with Elvis in Memphis in 1956 until he passed away in 1977. Almost every stories and anecdotes are accompanied with photographs for backing up the text. It gives a lot of credibility to the author and makes it even more enjoyable to the readers. This book contains several rare and exclusive photographs taken by Sandi. My favourites are the ones taken in Las Vegas, NV in August 1974 and March 1975, and especially the photographs from the August 18, 1975 opening show and midnight show of the following night. I especially enjoyed the stories related to the Memphis shows in March 1974 along with the one from December 1973 at Stax Recording Studio in the same town. Having said that, the book is interesting from beginning to end. I never had the chance to meet Elvis but was fortunate enough for having seen him in concert several times. Sandi’s book brought back great memories while reading her personal experiences and made me feel good, actually even better in making me realized how lucky I am. For those who weren’t that fortunate and never had the chance to attend an Elvis Presley show, and moreover live all the excitements surrounding the event. They can at least go back in time and have a glimpse at the good times we had during our touring days. The book contains a few mistakes such as a photograph dated as May 26th, 1975 dinner show instead of March 26th but despite a few errors here and there, “Raised On Elvis” is still an excellent book. We can be grateful that Sandi decided to share his memories and photographs with us. If you want to take a look back at the good old times, then buy the book “Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!”
Claude Baker
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Title: Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! Author: Sandi Haynes Pichon Publisher: Apex Publishing Ltd. ISBN: 1-904444-23-7 (Paperback, 196 pp.) Sandi Haynes Pichon is an Elvis fan of the very first muster. When she was living in Memphis as a young girl, she persuaded her mother to drive her over to Audubon Drive, where she was presented with a glass of lemonade by Gladys Presley. When Sandi was testing the seat of Elvis's motorbike, she felt a couple of arms around her and turned to see Elvis sitting behind her. Quite an experience for a young girl and one that Sandi has carried with her for the rest of her life. Sandi describes the event in her book, "Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" but the book is less concerned with the Elvis of the 1950s and 1960s, as with the Elvis of the 1970s. As with most Elvis fans, Sandi's personal life affected her following of Elvis during the earlier decades, but, after attending an Elvis concert in 1972, Sandi embarked on a road that bordered on hero-worship. Often teaming up with a number of other female fans, she pursued Elvis from venue to venue, apparently at every conceivable opportunity. She became such a feature of the concerts that she even became a sort of member of the outer circle of the Elvis entourage, recognised by the more prominent members (and by Elvis himself) and helped by them when necessary, to obtain concert tickets and good seats. Sandi provides plenty of details about the many concerts she attended and female readers are bound to enjoy her details of the numerous kisses she received from Elvis. She further documents Elvis's declining health, increase in weight and change of personality, especially during the 1975 concerts when among other things, he insulted Kathy Westmoreland and the Sweet Inspirations, leading them to walk off the stage. Concert outfit fans will revel in Sandi's descriptions of the jumpsuits and other garb that Elvis sported, making it clear that Elvis's wardrobe was by no means limited to jumpsuits, though quite why she seems so fond of the Gypsy suits, describing them as, "among the very best designs he ever wore," is beyond me! This really is a cavalcade of concert information, though Sandi also describes more personal encounters with Elvis, such as the time she was allowed into the Stax recording studios to witness him in action and the much sadder occasion when she was allowed to view Elvis's body at Graceland. She also offers her opinions on numerous aspects of Elvis's life and career, including a very positive assessment of the role played by Tom Parker, with which, I'm sure, many will disagree. The book is nicely produced and profusely illustrated. Many books carry the enticement of "previously unpublished photos," but this one lives up to this claim and fans will welcome the many photos of Elvis performing in the 1970s, together with a few candid shots from "Loving You." The photos are not of the highest quality, but I suspect this is because they have been made from scans of old colour photographs, so even though they are perhaps somewhat faded, they remain a refreshing change from the usual and many fans will appreciate them. Sandi's writing style can probably be best described as "down-home" - she tells her story with enthusiasm and sympathy. However, her tale is somewhat marred by some setting lapses, especially the incorrect use of en-dashes instead of em-dashes, and by some strange mis-spellings and incorrect song titles -- Jordinaires and Fairytales, for example, though my favourite must be "dire straights," a delightful homonym! Some rather more careful editing could have improved this aspect of the book greatly. All in all, "Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" is a very good effort by a clearly dedicated fan. It certainly makes a refreshing change from the seemingly never-ending variations on the biography. If enthusiasm is the measuring-stick, then Sandi deserves a ten out of ten for her book. I have to be honest and say that I did not look forward to reading "Raised On Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" but I am not at all sorry that I did so and I'm sure that you will not be sorry, either.
David Neale, Author of 'Roots of Elvis'
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Sandi Pichon's book "Raied on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" is right on. Tells it like it was. For anyone interested in Elvis this is as must read. (Picture 1: Sandi Haynes Pichon with Charles Stone at 'The Elvis Festival', Porthcawl, 2004. - Picture 2: Charles Stone reading Sandi's book).
Charles Stone, Elvis Presley's Tour Producer

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I found Sandi's book "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!" interesting and exciting. It's really cool to hear the actual accounts and stories of a special lady who spent alot of time following Elvis around the country. She seemed to be a real friend and extra special fan of Elvis Presley. Not many people can claim they have done the things she has done with Elvis. Even though Elvis is gone, it's great to hear heart warming stories from someone who actually had the opportunity to be associated with the most incredible entertainer of our time. I think Elvis truly had a warm place in his heart for Sandi Pichon. It's a great book I would recommend to anyone, Elvis fan or not. (Pictures: Sandi Haynes Pichon with Elvis Tribute Artist, Kraig Parker at 'The Elvis Festival', Porthcawl, 2004).
Kraig Parker (Professional Elvis Tribute Artist - Dallas, Texas)

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