Larry Geller book review by Jeff Schrembs

LEAVES OF ELVIS’ GARDEN the Song of His Soul a book by Larry Geller and review by Jeff Schrembs.
Larry Geller was a polished, and distinguished, hair stylist in Hollywood during “mid” 1964. After being contacted to do Elvis’ hair Elvis offered him a full time job cutting/styling Elvis air in the mid 1960’s and he remained Elvis’ stylist up until (sadly) Elvis passed away on August 16, 1977.
The relationship between Elvis and Larry Geller, who Elvis called him “Lawrence”, became multi-dimensional consisting of the cutting/styling of Elvis’ hair and discussing matters of the inner soul such as; God, Spiritual Quests, Religions, Prophets, etc.
Throughout Elvis’ life, beginning with his twin brother Jesse Garon Presley being born ’stillborn” (i.e. dead) and the delivering physician not knowing there was another baby until Gladys complained of “I feel theres another baby” at which point the Physcian went and examined her and confirmed there was another child and delivered him successfully and naming him Elvis Aron Presley, he always questioned “why did God choose me”? Why did God give me these talents and these opportunities? What is my lifes path? What is life all about? Hence, Elvis had a life long quest to discover answers that mankind has sought since God first put breath into our lungs.
Larry Geller, who was/is a kind hearted honest soul, soon became a confidant of Elvis’ and provided Elvis with books/insight for questions that Elvis sought answers to. Larry Geller even introduced Elvis to some prominent Religious/Spiritual Leaders who gave Elvis advice and counsel along with reading materials that Elvis consumed with the same passion as he did in everything he cared for and that was an “all consuming” desire to learn – to teach – to share – to care – to help others – to control ones self – etc.
As a footnote into the life of Elvis Larry Geller went with Elvis to Hawaii on the last vacation that Elvis ever took. The photographs of that trip show Elvis to be in good spirits, playing football and laying on the beach with Ginger and talking with Larry, and yet there is a definitive “sadness” in his eyes that is evident even through his “one of a kind sunglasses”. Though Elvis is smiling throughout these photos, and many of these photos show Elvis wearing a t-shirt looking thinner than the “last concert” footage CBS broadcast in 1977 after Elvis’ death, there is something (as always as the case) “unique” that the ink on the photo paper captures….something….deeply personal to Elvis. As one who has collected Elvis Presley memorabilia, including over 100,000 individual photos of Elvis, when I look at these photos in Hawaii in 1977 I always “pick up” on his eyes for they do foretell the contents of ones soul.
Since the book Leaves of Elvis’ Garden came into print in 2007 I have read this book numerous times and have cherished it more and more. This book is not a “tell all book” nor is it a “regurgitation of Elvis facts” nor is it a book with an agenda. It is a book from the heart of one who knew Elvis, loved Elvis, shared deep thoughts with Elvis, and stayed with Elvis for (13) thirteen years all the while being an “outsider” (i.e. he was not Southern, he did not meet Elvis in high school or in the Army, etc.) and having his motives questioned publicly and privately.
I have always respected, and supported, the members of the Memphis Mafia (specifically Marty Lacker, Red West, Sonny West, Billy Smith, Lamar Fike along with Joe Esposito and Jerry Schilling) all the while understanding that the connection that these men had with Elvis was far different that the relationship Elvis had with Larry Geller. I would never try to second guess which relationship was more important, and/or more meaningful to Elvis, but I will say that the QUALITY of the men that Elvis spent the majority of his life with were (a) highly professional (b) honest men (c) hard working men (d) trustworthy men and (e) men that any man would be lucky to know…and to call them a…friend.
I HIGHLY recommend this book “Leaves of Elvis’ Garden” for it gives actual insight into Elvis thoughts, his passions, his quests, his questions, and his heart. No book will EVER fully encompass the entirety of Elvis Presley for he was so “multi-dimensional” as well as being “simplistic” and “complicated”. I realize that this descriptive terms are “oxy morons” but in many ways Elvis was a “simple man” yet in others he was highly sensitive and complicated. I believe that Elvis “felt”, from every cell in his being, the pain of his fellow man (including those he loved, worked with, etc.) that the burdens put on him (from many directions) would have broken a lessor man.
One example of Elvis’ courage and commitment to God was during the Ed Sullivan shows. There was an unrelenting attack on him, his movements, his intentions, his singing style, his family, and much more. As a young man Elvis opted to turn to his back up group and say “we are going to do Peace in the Valley”. While wearing a “sparkling jacket” and dark pants the previously “never stop moving” entertainer, with the features of a Greek God and the perfectly groomed slicked back ravenous hair, stood before the audience directly in front of the Jordainaires (i.e. Gospel Group) and looked steely into the camera lens and sang from the depths of his soul a Gospel song that encompassed his love of God and his respect for the spiritual songs that empowered those dirt poor Southerners for decades. I have watched the video of Elvis performing this song for decades and his vocals were INCREDIBLE and the honesty that originated from his vocal cords was pure and not of this World. Inasmuch as his movements mesmerized the youth of America this Gospel Song changed the minds of millions for in their hearts they were awaken by a presence that was not threatening…but one of love.
I applaud Larry Geller for his previous speaches about Elvis and his previous writings. But, this book “Leaves of Elvis’ Garden” is the “real deal” when it comes to emotions stirred by ink on paper. So I say to Larry Geller, and to his family members, THANK YOU for your earnest endeavors and for sharing your stories about Elvis.
Since August 16, 1977 I have hoped, and prayed, that Elvis found enternal peace in Heaven along with God and Gladys and Jesse and since then with Dodger and Vernon and Charlie Hodge and so many others. This hope, and these prayers, go out to each of my fellow men and to each child born and to those yet to be born for if we fail to pray for those our eyes have never seen then we have learned nothing from the Old Testament, the New Testament, or other works of literature concerning God.
For Elvis Fans Worldwide I hope that each of you seek out the members of the Memphis Mafia, and Larry Geller, along with their family members to say THANK YOU and to support their endeavors. Their lives, and their memories, are ever aging and they have never gotten the respect/appreciation/monetary rewards that are/were warranted. Time is no longer an excuse for not reaching out to each of them for with each passing day an opportunity slips away with no guarantee of tomorrow.
Take care and God bless.
Jeffrey Schrembs