Linda Thompson’s book Elvis
On 14 January 1973, the concert, held at the Honolulu International Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, was broadcast via satellite to more than 40 countries, from France and Italy to Singapore and South Korea.
The set list of the concert included all of Elvis’ biggest hits. According to Elvis.com, at the time it was the most expensive entertainment show in history – it cost $2.5 million.
Linda Thompson and Elvis’ relationship was something special. She said they were ‘soul mates.’
In her book A Little Thing Called Life (2016), Thompson wrote about how the two had a very special relationship.
‘Our relationship was complete – when the need arose, we became everything to each other. He was older than me by almost sixteen years, so it was natural for me to be the little girl sometimes and him to be Daddy. But more often than not, I was the mum and he was the baby,’ writes Linda Thompson. ‘Sometimes we were lovers, sometimes we were brother and sister. Sometimes we were best friends. At one time or another, we were everything to each other. And Elvis was always, always everything to me.’
In the last couple of years of their relationship, Linda was quick to notice how Elvis’ health deteriorated. The rock star was suffering and taking sleeping medication, sometimes mixed with ‘other things,’ according to Linda.
Elvis Presley’s medication
She would sit and watch him until he fell asleep, and even woke up a couple of times during the night to make sure he was breathing.
‘I have to admit, it was exhausting,’ Linda says. ‘I was a young girl, but it was still exhausting when you don’t sleep. And also just emotionally exhausting because I loved this man more than my own life and I watched him slowly self-destruct and I couldn’t do anything about it…’
In early 1975, Elvis was hospitalised for ‘several days of check-ups’, writes the AP. Linda found him in bed, struggling to catch his breath, and he was taken to a hospital in Memphis.
He actually had liver problems, but it had nothing to do with alcohol. Elvis was having health problems at the time because of the medication he was prescribed.
Linda Thompson – Elvis’s Relationship
The following months were difficult. Elvis bought Linda a house near Graceland, but by October 1975 she just couldn’t do it anymore.
After Elvis was once again hospitalised for treatment, Linda left him to concentrate on her career in Los Angeles.
She struggled to cope with his ‘self-destructive’ downward spiral. They stayed in touch, but why?
‘I was haunted by some feeling, thinking I didn’t know if anyone could take care of him the way I did,’ Linda explains.
‘I felt I knew his habits and needs very well. When you’ve been with someone for so many years and lived so closely with them, I felt I knew their habits and needs very well, and I thought no one else would know that.’
Then, on 16 August 1977, tragedy rocked the world. Elvis Presley passed away at the age of 42.
A few days before, Linda had tried to call Elvis, which was their last call. She called Graceland, where Elvis’ best friend and guitarist Charlie Hodge picked up the phone.
Linda wanted to make sure Elvis was okay and asked Charlie to go upstairs to check on him.
Elvis Presley’s last days
‘Charlie was a bit impatient with me,’ Linda recalls. ‘He said: ‘He’s all right, darling. He’s sleeping.’ I said: ‘Just kidding, please go up and check his breathing.’
Charlie checked Elvis and said he was breathing. It was then that Linda said her last words to Elvis’ best friend while the King was still alive.
I said: ‘OK, just tell him I called and I love him and I was just checking on him,’ she continued. ‘He replied, ‘I’ll tell him. That’ll make him happy.’
On 16 August 1977, Linda was in her Los Angeles flat when she received a phone call. Elvis Presley was found unconscious on the bathroom floor and was rushed to the hospital where he died. He was buried in the Meditation Garden at Graceland.
She was the first person nine-year-old Lisa Marie Presley called the night her famous father died.
Photos of Linda Thompson and Elvis
Whenever photos of Linda Thompson and Elvis Presley come out, it’s surprising how often the same comments are made. Many say that she wasn’t as beautiful as Priscilla and that Elvis should have stayed with his first wife.
Frankly, I find that disrespectful. Linda was an important part of Elvis’ life at a time when he needed love and support, and their relationship was meaningful in and of itself. Yet it’s as if people can’t seem to resist making comparisons, repeating the same old judgements without appreciating her for what she was.