Most artists I had worked with prior to working with Elvis were extremely demanding, insisting in a dictatorship-like-way that everything be exactly the way they wanted it, with no deviation from their creative ideas. Elvis, on the other hand, had a deep appreciation for everyone's talent and abilities, and allowed each of us to be "free" in contributing to his sound, his music, etc.,...This was one of his strengths. In allowing the musicians and singers he admired so much the freedom of expression, even though the creation would end up as Elvis', he actually gained wonderful contributions from all of us, and often said, "You all are what I've always dreamed of having, and now, for the first time, have exactly what I want on stage. I've never been allowed to have this freedom myself, my entire career. Now at last I have the talents of all of you to help create what I have always dreamed of." Elvis truly was such a huge star, that he didn't fear... nor was he threatened by other talents, ...as so many lesser stars are. Most of the stars I have known and worked with just assume (or their egos assume) that they cannot allow anyone to "upstage" them, thus actually lose the bonus of the talents they surround themselves with, and lessen their creations' qualities of brilliance.
Along the personal friendship I had with him, I remember his almost "mothering" me, treating me as if I were a fragile piece of cherished crystal, asking if I needed anything, bringing me a glass of water, to set beside my night-stand, making sure I had the books that I wanted at hand, food that I wanted, etc....He just loved to "take care of me". I relished that quality in him,...so thoughtful, even realized I might need something I hadn't even thought of. We just couldn't get enough talking and sharing of ideas in, because of our outrageous schedule, but our days together (which were "our" nights) are my most treasured moments. We'd actually wake up together several times ... at the exact same moment, as if we had one mind,...I know this sounds so silly,...but it's true,...holding each other, staring into each other's eyes, and I shall never forget the warm smile he'd give me when this occurred. Neither of us had ever been so "aware" of another person. Truly a gift from God,...perfect union in spirit and thought. This is not to say however, that either of us believed we were meant to marry, I'm certain most people would not understand this. But more regarding this later.
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