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Joe Russo's interview with ESSENTIAL ELVIS (UK) magazine |
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The Doctors' HandwritingDr. Nick announces that he is finally writing a book in order to tell his side of the story. Andrew Hearn found out more from his ghostwriter, Joe Russo AH - Firstly, can you tell our readers about yourself, particularly your Elvis connection? JR - I first 'discovered' Elvis at about six years old. I was going through some old records at an aunt's house and came across a beat-up looking black LP disc with no album jacket. That turned out to be Golden Records, Volume One. I got into Elvis purely and solely through his music. I was not influenced by his looks, his 'moves' or his persona. To me, first and foremost, his music is what's most important, and I've always felt that way. Then some relatives took me to see him at Madison Square Garden in 1972. I was hooked after that. Nothing can compare to actually seeing him live. No video, no nothing. I just wish I had been older and could have gone more. The first record I purchased on my own as a kid was the Burning Love single, complete with picture sleeve. It's still one of my favourite Elvis hits. Through the years I have contributed to various Elvis-related books and fanzines (including this one), and authored several non-Elvis books. But now I'm dedicating everything to Elvis. It's the subject I'm most passionate about and I feel I can make a difference. AH - You have just published a book with Joe Esposito, right? JR - Yes, Elvis Straight Up. I was thrilled when he told me how happy he was with the job I did. That meant a lot to me, personally. AH - How well has the book done, and what's the reaction been like? JR - It hasn't been out very long, but so far, I've heard what I'd hoped to hear. That its an entertaining and informative book that is much 'fun' to read. Very often, you can pick up a book and it's a chore to ponder through it all. But I assembled Elvis Straight Up to 'go down easy' so to speak, yet still have an impact. AH - What made you follow Joe's book with a Dr. Nick project? JR - Dr. Nick's is the story I've always wanted to read myself, so it's an honor and privilege to have been chosen as the person to tell it. AH - When did you first meet Dr. Nick, and what were your first impressions of him? JR - I first met him when we started research this year. My impression is that he is certainly one of the warmest, most genuine and caring people I have ever met. His problem has been he does not 'interview' well on camera. Geraldo Rivera managed to create the most unflattering image of Dr. Nick possible, and it has just stuck in the public's mind through all these years. AH - How is the book going to be written, and from what angle? JR - I'm not quite sure yet. I'm still getting all my ducks in a row. AH - Dr. Nick's son worked for Elvis as a bodyguard from 1975 onwards. What's his involvement? JR - Dean is invaluable. He 'lived' with Elvis almost daily those
last few years when he was working for him, at home and on the road,
and was pretty close to him AH - Do you feel that you're taking a risk by being involved with such a controversial book? JR - Absolutely not. I wanted to do it. I'm grateful for the opportunity. You have to realise that I have no reason to dodge controversy. I'm just the messenger. My duty is to tell a good story and tell it in an unbiased and straightforward manner. I am there to serve the material, the material is not meant to reflect or serve me. I've pledged to do the best job I know how. This is one of the most important stories that has gone untold. My requisite is the same one I had with Esposito, I only seek to reveal the honest truth with no hidden agendas. AH - And how do you think it'll be received by the fans, particularly those still against Dr. Nick? JR - If you are willing to read it with an open mind, then I'm confident you'll come away with a much expanded outlook and understanding of what was actually going on at the time. AH - Are you, or the Nichopoulos family, hoping to 'smooth things over' with the fans? JR - We are hoping that telling the truth will lend the balance that
has been missing from the story the public and the fans has been fed
by the media for thirty years. I just want to get to the complete
truth, not just the media AH - So, what stage are you at with the book? JR - Constant research, interviews, and digging. The hard work that goes into any well researched project. If the fans have any questions they'd like the book to answer, they are welcome to e-mail me at epshots@yahoo.com. AH - What's your impression of the Nichopoulos family and their story? JR - From what I see, if the media had actually taken some time time to learn what makes that man tick, they would not have been so quick to judge him. Based on the story that has been told up to now, that obviously never happened. AH - What kind of results are you hoping for with the book? JR - I hope people will fully realise that the media is a very powerful and influential monster. Sometimes they get it right, and sometimes they don't. AH - Fans will probably expect some really heavy reading, and will assume that the book will be mostly doom-and-gloom. JR - My method of writing is to keep the reader interested and anxious to turn to the next page. As I said mentioned earlier, reading a book should not become a 'second job', it should be an enjoyable experience. You should want to go back and read it again. Not think, 'whew, I'm glad that's over with.' My theory is simply using the truth. I refuse to stoop to cheap tabloid tactics. It's not necessary to create a fascinating story if you use your literate imagination along with the truth. This story is amazing enough, you wouldn't need to heighten it artificially. AH - So, when is the book due? JR - Not sure yet, really, but you'll probably be one of the first to know, Andrew. Watch this space.
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Joe Russo - Elvis historian and author of four books including ELVIS STRAIGHT UP with Joe Esposito. He also has been a performer himself for over seventeen years. Due to this duel persona, he is often referred to as the "rock n' roll writer". (for more information, please visit www.joerusso.com) |
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Request from Joe Russo: If you knew Elvis, love Elvis or have rare Elvis photos or other
materials,
George & Dean Nichopoulos and Joe Russo. All rights reserved.
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