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"The King, the Mirror, Spiritualism and the Love Machine"(July 2002)
From Barbara Leigh's new website . .
Barbara's biography (co-written with noted author, Marshall Terrill), 'The King, McQueen and the Love Machine' was released in August 2002. In this interview, Barbara speaks candidly about her time with Elvis. EIN: Much has been written about your affair with Elvis Presley from 1970-1972, but strangely enough, not much is known. You've been able to keep the details under wraps for more than 25 years. Why have you finally decided to write "The King, McQueen and the Love Machine," a book about your relationship with Elvis now? Barbara Leigh: Out of respect for Elvis, I never spoke of our relationship while he was alive. We kept our affair secret. Outside our immediate group of friends, no one knew for sure. Elvis was very much married at the time and I was what some would call a starlet. We were careful not to be photographed or appear together in public because had our relationship been discovered, I'm sure it would have been a huge scandal. After Elvis died I have only granted two interviews. The first one was a BIG disappointment. The author, Albert Goldman, wrote the despicable "Elvis!" in the early 1980s in which he tried to sell a lot of books by trashing Elvis' reputation. I met Mr. Goldman in New York City where we both lived in the late 1970s. He had contacted me through a friend with the intent to write about me, with or without an interview. I decided to at least meet with him and feel him out. When he arrived at my apartment, I was totally disarmed. His appearance was that of a quirky professor (which, he was) wearing sneakers, blue jeans, T-shirt & jacket. He smiled a lot and he seemed nice enough. I believed he was a fan, but he ultimately proved me wrong. Although he wrote my interview as given, he demeaned Elvis in every way possible. I never got past the first few pages, and I never read it again. I was sickened this man who never knew Elvis, and could write such horrible things about a wonderful human being. It was almost 20 years since I did another interview, the second one was with Peter Guralnick who wrote the best-selling book, "Last Train to Memphis." Based on his work, I decided to grant him an interview for "Careless Love," the sequel to "Last Train to Memphis."
Marshall's enthusiasm for me to tell my story won me over in that visit, plus the fact that he knew about the importance that Elvis Presley, Steve McQueen and James Aubrey had played in the 1970s was a bonus. I didn't have to explain to him who these powerful men were, and their place in pop culture history during this time period. Often at the Famous Chiller Theater Convention in NJ, and other convention's too I've been asked why didn't I write my autobiography. Although, this book is not a total autobiography of my life (it heavily covers the years 1970-1973) it gives you the feeling of reading my journals through these three years. After flying to Arizona to spend time with Marshall and work on the book, we decided after Marshall got to know me that there were too many books on Elvis alone and maybe the fans might enjoy reading a bigger romantic story. We changed direction of the book and wrote about a three-year period in my life when I dated these three famous men, and bring the readers up to date to where I am now. I had fun writing this book, but it wasn't easy to tell some very personal things. It's a little scary to share so much of myself, but I hope that anyone who reads our book will know that it was written with love, especially my love for Elvis. EIN: When and how did you first meet Elvis Presley? Barbara L: Elvis was introduced to me through my boyfriend, Jim Aubrey, who was the president of MGM studios at the time. He was a powerful player in Hollywood and was the inspiration for Jacqueline Susan's famous book and movie "The Love Machine." Jim took me to see Elvis' show at the Las Vegas Hilton in August 1970 because he was making arrangements for MGM to distribute, "Elvis: That's the Way It Is". After the show we were invited to meet the King back in his private dressing room. I met Elvis face-to-face when he sat down next to me, staring directly into my eyes. He spotted me in the audience that night and was prepared to get my phone number that night without anyone seeing. He got a great delight out of stealing Jim Aubrey's girlfriend.
EIN: When did you first take notice of Elvis Presley? Barbara L: It must have been the first time I saw Elvis on "The Ed Sullivan Show" in 1956. I was just a kid, but I immediately loved him. My family and I were watching TV when Elvis appeared, and we didn't know what to think. His voice was beautiful, his moves were sexy; like nothing anyone had ever seen before. He was so free and alive. Elvis expressed who he was, and how he felt through his famous shaking and swiveling. He certainly got my attention as I got up and tried to move like he did, but was quickly sent to my room. Little did I ever dream that I would meet him one day.
EIN: What was your main bond with Elvis? Barbara L: Elvis's spiritualism is well known by anyone who ever spent anytime with him. You couldn't help but see that in him. He was an old soul. I loved spending private time with E because that is when you saw the real Elvis. Often he shared his spiritual thoughts and knowledge that he learned from certain beloved books he cherished. I've been down on my knees praying with Elvis. If he thought prayer would help, he prayed. He was a humble man before God. He loved church, singing church hymns, which he did for me at Graceland while playing his piano. We sang "Amazing Grace" together. Elvis told me I had a beautiful voice, and always made me feel special. He had that rare gift, and he wasn't afraid to use it. He was a dear, dear man. EIN: It didn't bother you that Elvis often surrounded himself with women, and of course, he was still married to Priscilla? Barbara L: Elvis was the King, and a King has to have his harem, right? I didn't think about him being married or about the many, many other women in his life. When we were together I tried living in the now. The '70's philosophy of "Be Here Now" by Ram Dass which, was a book that Elvis liked and so did I. It was a popular mantra of the day that professed to live only in the now. I never believed that I was the only girlfriend, and I accepted Elvis for the time we spent together. I was lucky enough to share with him and I never asked him any questions, and he did likewise. We didn't ask any questions about other relationships because we knew what the answer would be. I took the bad with the good. The only time it bothered me was when I'd have to compete for his attention at the Vegas Hilton when beautiful girls were showing up and trying to steal the King's heart in front of me. That was tough. EIN: As you mentioned before, you were already involved with James Aubrey and was about to embark on an affair with Steve McQueen. How did Elvis accept that? Barbara L: Elvis knew about Jim Aubrey because we met through "James," but he admired Aubrey and looked up to him. The feeling was mutual because Jim liked Elvis and admired him, too. They were total opposites, it's partly what attracted them to each other. Jim had the sophistication and charm of Ayan Rand's Howard Rowark's character from the "Fountainhead," and Elvis had the genteel charm of a southerner. Elvis later found out about Steve McQueen when I was filming "Junior Bonner"in Prescott, Arizona. Elvis decided he wanted to visit me in Arizona, and it was an awkward moment. Elvis basically forced me to tell him that I was dating Steve, and living with him on location. Elvis and Steve were more alike in that they both came from nothing, and there was fierce competition between the two. Elvis referred to Steve as "that motorcycle hick" while Steve referred to Elvis as "that guitar hick."
EIN: What were some funny or endearing quirks Elvis had that brings a smile to your face? Barbara L: One of Elvis's endearing quirks was that he could never pass a mirror without stopping to check himself out. He just had to make sure he was still the King (laughs). It was done in a way that was so sweet and funny that I didn't take it seriously, and neither did he, but there wasn't a mirror he didn't like. Elvis also had a great sense of humor and loved playing practical jokes on the guys and whoever was there. Elvis also couldn't keep a secret to save his life. If he swore not to repeat something, you could count on him spilling his guts. He just couldn't keep a secret well. EIN: What was special about Elvis as a human being? Barbara L: Elvis was the most generous person I've ever met both with his money and himself. He loved giving gifts and watching people's faces when they got them. There wasn't a motive to his sharing other than just his love. With Elvis, a lot of getting a BIG gift was being there at the right time and place. In one of his many generous moods, he decided to buy Charlie Hodge a Mercedes car. Lucky for me, I was there at the time, and I got a little brown Mercedes. It was an exciting experience for all us all, but Elvis was the most excited because he truly loved to give. I loved my little brown Mercedes, and Elvis knew it. Elvis loved to adorn his women with beautiful clothes, and he loved getting guns or us too, so we'd be safe. He loved giving jewelry and surprising you when you least expected it. It was Elvis's joy to give and make people happy, he shared all these things with me as well as many others. He was truly one-of-a-kind.
EIN: As we get ready to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his death this year 2002, why do you think Elvis Presley is more popular than ever? Barbara L: Elvis's music is the one true GIFT he's left behind, and it is continually being shared with the world. The music will never die, but apart from that, it's the other intangible things that keep him alive-his love, his laughter, his films, all the photos that we see and have access to will keep him alive for generations to come. I don't think it's bad to worship something that makes you feel good. And Elvis' memory makes people and fans feel happy. He will live forever in the hearts of all his fans. From my perspective, Elvis isn't dead, he's just left the building. "The King, McQueen and the Love Machine" can be ordered in both hardback and tradeback from Amazon - Click here For more great Barbara Leigh photos and stories go here to her new 2011 website BarbaraLeigh.net Click to comment on this article
Interview by Nigel Patterson.
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
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