I would let them cutt off my you know what to have been able to be involved like you were in the ELVIS WORLD YOU ARE TRULY ONE OF THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE THAT EVER LIVED .GOD REALLY BLESSED YOU PEOPLE THAT WERE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ELVIS WORLD LIKE YOU ALL WERE .
Hello from England ELVIS died 2 days before my 12th birthday. I have been a FAN ever since OH MY I have looked up the name Ed Bonja and he died a couple of years ago BUT OH WHAT LIFE EXPERIENCES HE HAD. and such memories with the connection to ELVIS. I feel so HAPPY in some ways that we have his account on record to watch as many times as we feel the need. Watching a lot of these videos about ELVIS and his "backstory" make me think so much more about the years that have passed - 50 +
RIP Ed. Thanks for all the great photos and stories of Elvis. I am grateful I not only knew you, but got to spend time with you as well. Say hi to Elvis for all of us...
These different perspectives of the King seem limitless, but all offer fascinating insights into one of the great icons of the 20th century. Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.
Ed was such a nice guy, never even heard him raise his voice. Calm, cool, collected and he had some amazing stories to tell. I miss him. 😢 I have some stories to tell LOL
Ive watched thousands of hours of Elvis. This is the first interview Ive seen that was from the perspective of the colonel Parker. A great story. Thank you. The story told about the contract being dissolved with Elvis, happened on my birthday.
Just love and miss Ed Bonja the last I spoke to him was on the phone just before he passed so many great times I had with him. I do have that picture of Elvis that Ed really liked. RIP 🙏
What a lucky man to be able to be around elvis & to know elvis & have these wonderful memories..Great stories & Thank you for sharing your memories with us appreciate it so much
Ed Bonja is a great guy, and I’m proud to call him a friend. He took a picture of my parents with Elvis behind stage at Vegas in 1973, and they became friends who still keep in touch. His 2 photo books are treasures. This is a great post. Thanks.
What a nice guy and it is obvious he respected both Elvis and the Colonel. His stories were great and none of which I'd heard before. He would have worked really hard during his time with the group and it's a shame that he didn't get the credit he obviously deserved. I think most fans would be more familiar with his photography now. Thank you for the great pictures Ed and thank you for those nice memories. Cheers from Oz. 🐨
As a fellow concert photographer, soundman.... I really enjoyed hearing these tales. They each remind us of how human Elvis was and how hard you worked for someone who gave you a space to learn and grow- Cheers Ed!
Ed, I appreciate you sharing your personal memories of working for Elvis with us. Very enjoyable to listen to. It must have been very amazing. Thank you, John
Brilliant Elvis stories what memories you have . So interesting to listen to I love it thoughs stories are treasures .Thanks for sharing Elvis the King of music forever and always 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑❤️❤️❤️🕯🕯☀️☀️✨🌟💞💘💜💜💜🌟🌟😢😢👑😢😢👑
I grew up the son of a firefighter and my Mother and Grandmother were huge Elvis fans. Now living in Shreveport, Louisiana was a special place because aside of how many times Elvis played in Las Vegas, Shreveport is probably #2 on the list of how many times Elvis played in one city because of his Louisiana Hayride contract. And as the story goes, the Colonel bought out his Hayride contract. But this was during my parents teenage years and got to see Elvis many many times at the Municipal Auditorium where the Louisiana Hayride was held and broadcast on the radio throughout the Country from KWKH here in Shreveport. So I grew up with Elvis always playing either on a record or an 8-track and am still a fan of his music. I have seen so many documentaries on Elvis and his inner circle of people but I have never seen this one some how until today. His lead guitarist James Burton is from Shreveport is very active in the getting music into local schools and through his foundation has donated hundreds of acoustic guitars to our local schools. I have met him and his wife several times and they are two of the nicest people I have ever met. We had a conversation one day at the Municipal Auditorium gift shop for well over an hour. And probably would have lasted longer but my kids were getting tired and we had to leave but didn’t just talk about Elvis, we talked about things going on in our town and life in general. Sorry for such a long story but will end it unfortunately on a sour note. My older sister’s birthday is August 16th. Mom and Grandma had set up a huge birthday party with a lot of her friends that day and during the birthday party heard the news that Elvis had died. They were HUGE fans from seeing him so many times at the Hayride to when he was on tour and played in Shreveport, they never missed a show! They were heartbroken and crying after hearing he had passed that it pretty much ruined my sister’s party. And still to this day, my sister holds a grudge with Elvis for ruining her birthday party. If you are ever in Shreveport, they give tours of the Municipal and the dressing room is still like it was when Elvis was there along with photos and stop in the gift shop because James’s wife Louise runs it and James might be in there also. Or he will be across the street where he built a recording studio.
This is great! The photos of Elvis are so special and capture his innate charm and easy sense of humor and of course, his beauty. I'm glad I stayed up late to watch it! The more I learn about Elvis, the more I understand his unique talent and the joy and peace that only a special double Capricorn can convey.( His sun and numerology are Capricorn). He makes me proud to share his sign.
The best interview revealing behind the scenes info on what it took to the keep/maintain the massive wheel, that was Elvis, rolling. I found this to be very facinating. The clip of Elvis being interviewed for the Sattelite Special felt sad for me. His breathing was nervous erratic, and at some point, while looking at all those countries labeled on those ridiculous hats, it must have crossed his mind - why couldn't he just go to these places.....
Yeah it is sad that he didn’t get to go there. But he did this show and no one else has ever done that. Also he raised a bunch of money to help pay the Pearl Harbor memorial at the Oklahoma in the harbor. Elvis paid more than half of it. There’s a plaque there remembering Elvis for that.
Elvis was a great man I didn't know he. Was a. Native American he. Was. A special person he was. A loving. Person. We. All. Miss. Him from. Stoney eagle Bartlett oct19'2021
Elvis was a great man I didn't know he. Was a. Native American he. Was. A special person he was. A loving. Person. We. All. Miss. Him from. Stoney eagle Bartlett oct19'2021
I think it’s very respectful of Elvis the man that he didn’t take photos during times when he was not at his best. That was a time when there were more boundaries and respect in many ways. The media didn’t photograph Jackie Kennedy smoking, president Roosevelt using his braces or being carried or president Kennedy frail from Addison’s and back injury. Only rags like the national enquirer, confidential and the like plastered photos and scandals on their pages.
I really enjoyed this, , during watching it I got so into the story's that the world had stopped, there's only 1 entertainer that makes it possible to do so, Elvis Presley., and you talking and telling this made it possible to create visions of all this happning as you told. Thank you and I'd love to speak with you someday if you ever have time Eddie, ,, thanks again sir.
Elvis was probably the first man that Men could actually state just how handsome he was without feeling odd LOL. Is it wrong for a Man to say another Man is Damn good looking? Women wanted him, Men wanted to be him.
All the people who worked in the Elvis show worked doing so many different jobs. When they needed stuff done they just grabbed whoever wasn’t busy at the moment and get them to do it.
What a fascinating story! Such a shame that Ed Bonja didn’t get credited for all the photos etc he took. Interesting about the scarves too! I have often wondered about the story behind those.
I really hope that you are reading these comments, Eddie. I want to tell you that is, by far, one of my absolute most favorite documentaries relating to Elvis! I'd say that it is one of the TOP THREE that I've seen! You are an excellent speaker. You relayed your story superbly! I enjoyed all of your stories so very much. I have probably watched almost all of the Elvis documentaries on RUclips and many of them tell the same stories. All of yours were, of course, brand new and fresh material. I just can't say enough about your presentation! Thank you so very much for sharing your stories with all of us that never had the opportunity to even meet Elvis, much less work close with him, as you had the privilege of doing! I would love to know what you did with your career after your time with Elvis and/or the Colonel ended! God Bless You!
RIP Ed. Now we know why no photo credits. That was so wrong. Even the colonel did you wrong. You were a great guy and did so much for Elvis. Thanks for the autographed posters I got in 2018. Now we are trying to get you back to the USA. So many people are working so hard to raise the money for you. You deserve it. I will be buying one of your books and the money will go to get you back. What wonderful stories about Elvis. I love your favorite photo and your second favorite. Nice to know I have some of Elvis's albums with your photos. So many people are doing so much for you. Now you're with Elvis and ya'll are both perfect. Thanks again Ed from a Mississippi girl.
Great story such a gift to have to gotten to do all those things. Also thanks this guy for not wanting to take bad pics of my cousin when he wasnt well or tired. He was never fat at all I know that but I do appreciate that this man was considerate to what press would say if he had bad pics out of him or what Elvis would think . All who got to meet him or even see him perform from afar are very lucky. Some of his own family never got the chance to do so because he died before we were born. I'm very thankful for the ones he took and the ones he didnt out of consideration. We have pics and that's what counts about it
As Elvis would once say "Fantastic" !!! This was one fun fantastic video to watch and Ed Bonja is a champ !!! it still pisses me off that the colonel would never give anyone proper credits on his singles , poor LP choices for photographs and Ed had taken much better pictures of Elvis during those tours ... Ugh
That was absolutely fantastic. Finally some real Elvis stories by someone who was there & the video to back it up i loved it. You talked about the cape worth a fortune. Your stories are worth a fortune. Thanks for sharing that. The pics of THE COL. are awesome Wanna. Hear more. What life he must of had. If I could of met him I would say. The green day song. Bet you had the time of your life. Love you Elvis. There was just something about him. Wow
It was nice to hear so many new and interesting stories about Elvis, especially the ones about something that cracked him up. I had no idea who had taken all those pictures. His favorite is a favorite of mine as well. :) Thanks for sharing.
Lovely man and video. Wow he made money on the scarves, didnt want to give credit to this man. This guy was the inner circle private photographer Wow !!! Also the rubber suit was quite interesting to me. Thanks for the video
Thanks Ed for your great story 👍👍
I would let them cutt off my you know what to have been able to be involved like you were in the ELVIS WORLD YOU ARE TRULY ONE OF THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE THAT EVER LIVED .GOD REALLY BLESSED YOU PEOPLE THAT WERE ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE ELVIS WORLD LIKE YOU ALL WERE .
Hello from England
ELVIS died 2 days before my 12th birthday. I have been a FAN ever since OH MY
I have looked up the name Ed Bonja and he died a couple of years ago BUT OH WHAT LIFE EXPERIENCES HE HAD. and such memories with the connection to ELVIS.
I feel so HAPPY in some ways that we have his account on record to watch as many times as we feel the need.
Watching a lot of these videos about ELVIS and his "backstory" make me think so much more about the years that have passed - 50 +
RIP Ed. Thanks for all the great photos and stories of Elvis. I am grateful I not only knew you, but got to spend time with you as well. Say hi to Elvis for all of us...
As a longtime fan I am very grateful for this gem of Elvis memories and history! ❤️🎵🎶😎
These different perspectives of the King seem limitless, but all offer fascinating insights into one of the great icons of the 20th century. Thanks for posting, very enjoyable.
Ed was such a nice guy, never even heard him raise his voice. Calm, cool, collected and he had some amazing stories to tell. I miss him. 😢
I have some stories to tell LOL
I’m here in 2024 this was amazing some great Elvis stories thank you Ed, God bless you ⚡️
This was an awesome interview. Rest in peace Ed.
I Love it...probably BEST of all EP maffia boys but a little smarter than Red,Larry,Sony, Billy a.o.
I am so amazed at all the lives Elvis touched. Still hearing stories I haven’t heard before 😀😍
Thank you for sharing this video. I am a Elvis fan for life. Long live Elvis.
Ive watched thousands of hours of Elvis. This is the first interview Ive seen that was from the perspective of the colonel Parker. A great story. Thank you.
The story told about the contract being dissolved with Elvis, happened on my birthday.
Great stories I had a lot of laughs thank you for sharing them with us Ed. You have some great memories working with the king of rock and roll.
We need MORE from you sir! You must have millions of memories!
Just love and miss Ed Bonja the last I spoke to him was on the phone just before he passed so many great times I had with him. I do have that picture of Elvis that Ed really liked. RIP 🙏
Thank you for caring so much about Elvis not to take pics when you thought he wasn’t at his best. Your a real nice person!
I thought that was very considerate of Ed to not take those pictures.
😎👍🏻😇
What a delight this man is .thank you for your remembrances
You have no idea how much I liked listening to you An your memories of Elvis
So real
Indeed. I agree.
I agree too. This is the third time I have listened to this. I hear something new everytime.
Elvis appreciated everyone so much who did things for him.
What a lucky man to be able to be around elvis & to know elvis & have these wonderful memories..Great stories & Thank you for sharing your memories with us appreciate it so much
It was a real pleasure to hear some lovely genuine stories about Elvis.
Thank you .
same :D
Ed Bonja is a great guy, and I’m proud to call him a friend. He took a picture of my parents with Elvis behind stage at Vegas in 1973, and they became friends who still keep in touch. His 2 photo books are treasures. This is a great post. Thanks.
@Don Keydik ???
What a nice guy and it is obvious he respected both Elvis and the Colonel.
His stories were great and none of which I'd heard before.
He would have worked really hard during his time with the group and it's a shame that he didn't get the credit he obviously deserved.
I think most fans would be more familiar with his photography now.
Thank you for the great pictures Ed and thank you for those nice memories.
Cheers from Oz. 🐨
Well said.
Enjoy your stories always enjoy hearing your stories thank you
Yeahhh for sure Ed that is a fabbbb maybe your BEST PHOTO EVER....
Just fantastic, thank you for the memories.
Elvis must be the most photographed man on earth.
Glad to hear your stories ❤
I reallly enjoyed this video of yours. Thanks so much.
This was great! Elvis fans can never get enough of hearing about the king!! 👑 ❤
Especially the real stuff
As a fellow concert photographer, soundman.... I really enjoyed hearing these tales. They each remind us of how human Elvis was and how hard you worked for someone who gave you a space to learn and grow- Cheers Ed!
Ed, I appreciate you sharing your personal memories of working for Elvis with us. Very enjoyable to listen to. It must have been very amazing. Thank you, John
I really enjoyed this, very very good, Thank You, all the story’s were great, would love to hear more.
Love this!!!! Your favorite picture is one of mine well done sir. Shame you didn’t get more for your contributions!
Brilliant Elvis stories what memories you have . So interesting to listen to I love it thoughs stories are treasures .Thanks for sharing Elvis the King of music forever and always 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑👑❤️❤️❤️🕯🕯☀️☀️✨🌟💞💘💜💜💜🌟🌟😢😢👑😢😢👑
Very interesting. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Much appreciated. What a great story xxx 💝
Thank you Ed, so sincere and honest. Excellent stories!
What fabulous memories.....Thank you so much Ed you were so lucky to have known Elvis xx
Thank you very much for sharing this, another treat for true Elvis fans.
I grew up the son of a firefighter and my Mother and Grandmother were huge Elvis fans. Now living in Shreveport, Louisiana was a special place because aside of how many times Elvis played in Las Vegas, Shreveport is probably #2 on the list of how many times Elvis played in one city because of his Louisiana Hayride contract. And as the story goes, the Colonel bought out his Hayride contract. But this was during my parents teenage years and got to see Elvis many many times at the Municipal Auditorium where the Louisiana Hayride was held and broadcast on the radio throughout the Country from KWKH here in Shreveport. So I grew up with Elvis always playing either on a record or an 8-track and am still a fan of his music. I have seen so many documentaries on Elvis and his inner circle of people but I have never seen this one some how until today. His lead guitarist James Burton is from Shreveport is very active in the getting music into local schools and through his foundation has donated hundreds of acoustic guitars to our local schools. I have met him and his wife several times and they are two of the nicest people I have ever met. We had a conversation one day at the Municipal Auditorium gift shop for well over an hour. And probably would have lasted longer but my kids were getting tired and we had to leave but didn’t just talk about Elvis, we talked about things going on in our town and life in general. Sorry for such a long story but will end it unfortunately on a sour note. My older sister’s birthday is August 16th. Mom and Grandma had set up a huge birthday party with a lot of her friends that day and during the birthday party heard the news that Elvis had died. They were HUGE fans from seeing him so many times at the Hayride to when he was on tour and played in Shreveport, they never missed a show! They were heartbroken and crying after hearing he had passed that it pretty much ruined my sister’s party. And still to this day, my sister holds a grudge with Elvis for ruining her birthday party. If you are ever in Shreveport, they give tours of the Municipal and the dressing room is still like it was when Elvis was there along with photos and stop in the gift shop because James’s wife Louise runs it and James might be in there also. Or he will be across the street where he built a recording studio.
Love this story.
This is so interesting! Great to hear the down to earth scoop from behind the scenes!
This is so wonderful!!
This is great! The photos of Elvis are so special and capture his innate charm and easy sense of humor and of course, his beauty. I'm glad I stayed up late to watch it! The more I learn about Elvis, the more I understand his unique talent and the joy and peace that only a special double Capricorn can convey.( His sun and numerology are Capricorn). He makes me proud to share his sign.
The best interview revealing behind the scenes info on what it took to the keep/maintain the massive wheel, that was Elvis, rolling. I found this to be very facinating.
The clip of Elvis being interviewed for the Sattelite Special felt sad for me. His breathing was nervous erratic, and at some point, while looking at all those countries labeled on those ridiculous hats, it must have crossed his mind - why couldn't he just go to these places.....
Because the colonel was an illegal immigrant he couldnt leave if he did he would never get back in
Yeah it is sad that he didn’t get to go there. But he did this show and no one else has ever done that. Also he raised a bunch of money to help pay the Pearl Harbor memorial at the Oklahoma in the harbor. Elvis paid more than half of it. There’s a plaque there remembering Elvis for that.
Wow that was sad knowing the circumstances, why didn't Elvis go on his on his own time for example a personal Vacation to some of those places ?
Elvis was a great man I didn't know he. Was a. Native American he. Was. A special person he was. A loving. Person. We. All. Miss. Him from. Stoney eagle Bartlett oct19'2021
Elvis was a great man I didn't know he. Was a. Native American he. Was. A special person he was. A loving. Person. We. All. Miss. Him from. Stoney eagle Bartlett oct19'2021
Very classy man. Thank You
You always seem to find the stuff no one else has. For the true Elvis fan...thank you.
Starlite Karaoke thank you for your comment its nice to be appreciated 👍
ajgherts2 Yes, thank you for the content of Elvis, etc. Much appreciated.
Nice story! #tandolls757
@@tanyadavis6187 jennifer
Great interview! Great inside stories about Elvis we all love to hear about!
Listening to Ed Bonja is probably one of the closest things to meeting Elvis....🇩🇰tak
I think it’s very respectful of Elvis the man that he didn’t take photos during times when he was not at his best. That was a time when there were more boundaries and respect in many ways. The media didn’t photograph Jackie Kennedy smoking, president Roosevelt using his braces or being carried or president Kennedy frail from Addison’s and back injury. Only rags like the national enquirer, confidential and the like plastered photos and scandals on their pages.
This is one of the best videos that I've seen on Elvis since I've been watching RUclips thanks Mr bonja for your contribute Tori remarks and stories
I really enjoyed this, , during watching it I got so into the story's that the world had stopped, there's only 1 entertainer that makes it possible to do so, Elvis Presley., and you talking and telling this made it possible to create visions of all this happning as you told. Thank you and I'd love to speak with you someday if you ever have time Eddie, ,, thanks again sir.
Ed seemed a nice man rip Ed
This was one of the most honest and best Elvis vids presented on RUclips. Mr. Bonja, that last picture you photoed of Elvis was just gorgeous!!
It was the best!
A really nice collection of private personal stories. I really enjoyed hearing them. Thank you.
I like that Eddie just tells it like it is and no reason to not tell the truth.
This was a great interview. Thank you very much for sharing it.
Fantastic.. so interesting
Elvis was probably the first man that Men could actually state just how handsome he was without feeling odd LOL. Is it wrong for a Man to say another Man is Damn good looking? Women wanted him, Men wanted to be him.
Awesome.
This was excellent, thank you for sharing.
RIP Ed. You did a great job.
Excellent! Thank you!!!!
All the people who worked in the Elvis show worked doing so many different jobs. When they needed stuff done they just grabbed whoever wasn’t busy at the moment and get them to do it.
I would have been so nervous doing a live world wide show ! You can see who awe in his face
What a fascinating story! Such a shame that Ed Bonja didn’t get credited for all the photos etc he took.
Interesting about the scarves too! I have often wondered about the story behind those.
I really hope that you are reading these comments, Eddie. I want to tell you that is, by far, one of my absolute most favorite documentaries relating to Elvis! I'd say that it is one of the TOP THREE that I've seen! You are an excellent speaker. You relayed your story superbly! I enjoyed all of your stories so very much. I have probably watched almost all of the Elvis documentaries on RUclips and many of them tell the same stories. All of yours were, of course, brand new and fresh material. I just can't say enough about your presentation! Thank you so very much for sharing your stories with all of us that never had the opportunity to even meet Elvis, much less work close with him, as you had the privilege of doing! I would love to know what you did with your career after your time with Elvis and/or the Colonel ended! God Bless You!
That was the best I've seen behind the scenes
RIP Ed. Now we know why no photo credits. That was so wrong. Even the colonel did you wrong. You were a great guy and did so much for Elvis. Thanks for the autographed posters I got in 2018. Now we are trying to get you back to the USA. So many people are working so hard to raise the money for you. You deserve it. I will be buying one of your books and the money will go to get you back. What wonderful stories about Elvis. I love your favorite photo and your second favorite. Nice to know I have some of Elvis's albums with your photos. So many people are doing so much for you. Now you're with Elvis and ya'll are both perfect. Thanks again Ed from a Mississippi girl.
This was very nice to watch. Thank you!
This was so lovely, thank you.
That was lovely
Thank you for sharing your stories - they were wonderful
great to hear good stuff about the king ty ed tcb always!
Thanks for this, I really enjoyed this!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great story such a gift to have to gotten to do all those things. Also thanks this guy for not wanting to take bad pics of my cousin when he wasnt well or tired. He was never fat at all I know that but I do appreciate that this man was considerate to what press would say if he had bad pics out of him or what Elvis would think . All who got to meet him or even see him perform from afar are very lucky. Some of his own family never got the chance to do so because he died before we were born. I'm very thankful for the ones he took and the ones he didnt out of consideration. We have pics and that's what counts about it
Thanks for sharing your stories. Loved the one about JD Sumner and the whiskey 🥃😂
Loved your stories of Elvis. You took great pictures! !
This was So Lovely❤️
Thank you for sharing🙏😊
A genius... both Elvis and the colonel... 😎🙏👀
Thank you for doing this.
This is so interesting.
Yeah I loved this guys story. He’s the one who typed Elvis song sheets. So he knew all Elvis words to the songs.
Elvis would have been huge with any manager..Parker just made the appointments.. Parker was just along for the ride..What a ride he got
WOW,what a gem this is,thank you so much!!I luv Ed’s JD Sumner impression!
This was fantastic, thank you for sharing so many wonderful memories with us.
very enjoyable D.V.D.!! I never saw this before and its great.
Awesome interview.
Love this !!!
This was awesome to listen to!
As Elvis would once say "Fantastic" !!!
This was one fun fantastic video to watch and Ed Bonja is a champ !!!
it still pisses me off that the colonel would never give anyone proper credits on his singles , poor LP choices for photographs and Ed had taken much better pictures of Elvis during those tours ... Ugh
Thank you for sharing your story of Elvis & the Colonel! I really enjoyed your story! God Bless you & Merry Chridtmas![
This was great.
So awesome! Thank you!
That was absolutely fantastic. Finally some real Elvis stories by someone who was there & the video to back it up i loved it. You talked about the cape worth a fortune. Your stories are worth a fortune. Thanks for sharing that. The pics of THE COL. are awesome Wanna. Hear more. What life he must of had. If I could of met him I would say. The green day song. Bet you had the time of your life. Love you Elvis. There was just something about him. Wow
Great post!
fantastic
Great stories!! Thanks Ed!!
Fantastic video he is very interesting,I love to hear Elvis behind the Sean's he does it very well 👑👑👑👑💔💔⭐️🌏❤️
It was nice to hear so many new and interesting stories about Elvis, especially the ones about something that cracked him up. I had no idea who had taken all those pictures. His favorite is a favorite of mine as well. :) Thanks for sharing.
Very enjoyable interview about his experiences with Elvis Presley.
Lovely man and video. Wow he made money on the scarves, didnt want to give credit to this man. This guy was the inner circle private photographer Wow !!! Also the rubber suit was quite interesting to me. Thanks for the video
Fantastic stories!!! Love it!!!