By Andylon Lensen
April 15, 2002
Russ with Muhammed Ali
photo taken in New
Jersey- 1996
Hi Russ,
I have come
to know you through Bud Glass my dearest friend from the
USA, whom I have known
for years and of course our mutual friend, Sonny
West. It's an honor for me to interview you, Russ.
USA,
whom I have known for years and of course our mutual friend,
Sonny West. It's
an honor for me to have you interviewed, Russ.
Hello Andylon,
The pleasure is all
mine. When you told me you wanted to do an interview, I jumped
at the chance! Your website is Wonderful! I check it out daily.
If there is any "Breaking" news in the Elvis world,
you can be sure that your site will have it. You really are
at the Pulse of the Elvis world. Sonny is my big brother, we
have been close friends for years, and as for Bud, we met years
ago and became instant friends, we are like brothers. When in
Memphis, if you see Bud Glass, you will see Russ Howe. I really
love the guy, he's the best friend
you can ask for.
Tell me about
it, I love the guy too, I am getting jealous, Russ....(lol)
Is this your premier-exclusive interview that only puts you
as the Person Russ Howe on
the spot ?
Through the years,
I have been interviewed for television, radio, books etc. but
I am very excited about this interview because it is going out
to the Elvis world. We all have the same interest, it's like
one big family. So "shoot" with the questions, I am
more than happy to answer them.
Okay Russ,
where's my gun... (lol)! Can
you tell me about your background?
I was born in August
of 1962 in Long Island (New York) in a nice quiet suburban town
called Woodmere. I have a sister and two brothers. I am the
youngest of the four. We have two very loving parents who taught
us to respect people & their property. I am proud of the
way I was raised. I think we all turned out to be good people.
My mom & dad liked Elvis, my brothers & sister were
more into other music in that time, Beatles, Stones, etc. I
remember hearing my parents playing Dean Martin, Perry Como,
Jerry Vale, etc. Don't recall hearing Elvis in our home when
I was young, but if there was a TV program with Elvis on it,
Mom would have it on and we would watch.
When and - how,
did you discover Elvis?
When I was in Grade
school, was the first time I recall hearing Elvis. A school
buddy of mine (James Milne), his father was an antique collector
who would always come home with his car loaded with antiques
and junk (old records, broken radios etc.) and we would take
the old records and throw them in the backyard like a Frisbee.
One day his Dad walked into the house with a stack of 45's and
Said, "here guy's, there are some great songs in here".
He thumbed through a few and said, "Hey look, Bobby Darrin,
Elvis Presley, The Beach Boys - here have fun". At that
point, he handed me two 45's. The Beach Boy's "I get Around"
& Elvis Presley's "All Shook Up". Well, we didn't
throw these records, because his dad personally gave them to
me, so I thanked him very much and went home. That evening after
dinner I went up in my room and played Elvis' "All Shook
Up". Well, I never heard anything like it before! It was
a combination between his voice and that beat. I wore a hole
in that record playing it so much! Every time I hear that song
today, it takes me back to that day in my room when I first
heard his voice. And I knew from that day on that I had a friend
for life.
Did you ever see
Elvis live on stage?
Almost, but sad to
say no, I never did. In 1973 When he first played the Nassau
Coliseum I was 11 years old. My sister and brother-in-law and
my oldest brother went to go see him. They said I was too young
to go. I still remember seeing their car pull out of the driveway
to go to the concert as I watched with my nose pressed up against
my bedroom window. When I woke up the next morning, my sister
had given me the program from the concert. I remember seeing
the photos of him wearing these flashy jumpsuits and thinking,
"Wow, there is something different about this guy".
I also remember sitting
up with my Mom & Dad to watch the "Aloha Special".
That just did it for me! But years went by and Elvis came back
again in July of 1975 (Nassau Coliseum) and by the time I had
heard about it, the show was sold out. Well, time went on and
now it is August of 1977 and Elvis is coming back again to Nassau.
Now, I am 15 years old and I am not missing this show for anything!
I now have a ticket to see ELVIS at 8:30pm August 22, 1977.
I was counting the days. On August 16, 1977 my dream was shattered.
Red, Russ, and Sonny
photo taken at Red's
house
When, why, and
what items did you start collecting of Elvis'?
As I got older and
got involved with the Elvis world, I met many people who were
involved with Elvis in some way or another. I thank Elvis fan
Donna Gaffin for introducing me to Sonny West. When I first
met Sonny way back when, we just clicked! We have been best
friends ever since. Sonny is like a big brother to me. I speak
to him and his family every week and we get together in Memphis
every year. We are always there for each other. I love him to
death! Really do. As for the people who don't particularly care
for him for whatever reason they might have, they just don't
know the man who is very dear to my heart. And I can say I am
a better man because of him.
Russ and John Wilkerson
photo taken in Memphis
-1998
Well Russ, John
Wilkerson always said and still does: " Sonny West had
one problem with Elvis, he loved him TOO much."...
Yeah I know, Andylon,
It's sad .....
You know most of my
Personal items have come from Sonny. Guns, badges, clothing,
jewelry, etc. After I got my first item (The blue Jacket he
wore in the movie "Spinout" made by Fred Segal, I
have been collecting ever since. The personal items in a way
bring me closer to Elvis. There is nothing like the feeling
of putting on one of his Diamond rings, or wearing one of his
shirts (something that was personal). Like I said, for me, it
brings me a little closer to the man. I also enjoy the "hunt",
looking for the next item.
What is your favorite
Elvis single-album-film?
Favorite song, man,
that's a hard one. "Sweet Angeline" would have to
be one of my all time favorite songs. If you just listen to
his voice in that song, it is so smooth and rich. It just flows
like water. One of my all time favorite albums is "Elvis
In Person At The International Hotel". It is my favorite
because it was my first album (8-track tape). It is a great
show filled with energy and he sounds great. My favorite movie
would have to be a toss up between "King Creole" &
"Charro". In "King Creole", the acting,
the story, the cast are great. In "Charro", I love
westerns, and thought Elvis did a good job in that.
When did you start
seriously collecting unpublished-rare photo's of Elvis?
About
25 years ago. I went to a convention and bought some candid
photos of Elvis and that pretty much started it off. The one
nice thing about collecting is my wife Nereida (We are celebrating
our 17th wedding anniversary this month) is also an Elvis fan,
so it makes it more fun when you have someone to share them
with. But I would like to say that I started to really look
for the rare photos about 10 years ago. I always have my eyes
open for new Candid photos of Elvis. There are still so many
photos that have not yet seen the light of day...
<-Russ
and his lovely wife Nereida Howe
Well Russ, congratulations
with your 17th wedding Anniversary. I do understand it's fun
that both of you share the same hobby: Elvis. But doesn't that
mean sometimes the household money goes into Elvis items? I
mean there is no one to say; this is the limit (lol). Never
had problems together? C'mon , tell me the truth, Russ....
Hahaha, now you're
trying to get me in trouble. I will very carefully answer this
question. Sure, sometimes I spend too much on an item, or buy
an item when something in the house needs fixing but when I
turn around and sell an item for twice as much, then I'm lucky
and that kind of makes up for it. My wife has been a real sport
about this hobby. She enjoys it as well. In fact for her birthday
years ago I bought her an Elvis brown suede jacket. She was
thrilled!
Ha Russ, who wouldn't
be ?? I would have married you that same day after such a gift...
and divorced you the next day. (lol)
Andylon, you are a
naughty woman ha well, they warned me this would happen. (lol)
Now back to being
serious again, I promise Russ. What era of Elvis photo's are
you collecting and why ?
At first it was mostly
the 70's Elvis. But in order to have a full photo collection
of Elvis, you need to cover all stages of his life, you need
childhood photos, 50's, 60's & 70's. So now I collect any
era of his life. But I still favor a great 70's "car shot"!
This must cost
you a fortune. What kind of work do you do, or your wife, for
heaven sake? (lol)
Well I am not a millionaire
by any means, I have been in the alarm business (computerized
security systems) for the past 22 years. I enjoy what I do,
and the business has treated me very well in return. In fact
I alarmed Janelle McComb's museum in Tupelo at Elvis' birth
place. It was my way of giving back to the people who have been
so good to me over the years.
Up until now, what
was your favorite project(s) you did on Elvis ?
Well as far as Elvis
goes, alarming his museum was a thrill. My wife and I had put
together a banquet back in 1987 at the JFK Hilton Hotel that
had Janelle McComb, George Klein, & Charlie Hodge as guest
speakers. A few years ago working with Sonny West for the videos
"All The King's Men".
But this year is a
very busy year for me, with DVD's, Movies, books etc. And my
website will be ready in May. This site will be the home of
some of the most rare Elvis candids you have ever seen! No where
else on the web will you find shots like these. So watch for
www.KingCandids.com
. About a week before it opens, I will have a special announcement
to make and you Andylon will be the first to know!
Great Russ and
what can we expect from you in the future ?
The future is
looking real good! I am supplying many rare photos for the DVD
everyone is talking about "Behind The Image". I can't
wait for this to come out. I know it will just Knock Our Socks
Off! This DVD is filled with things you NEVER thought existed!!
Also working on a movie called 200 Cadillacs (car shots are
my specialty)! The Elvis fans will really enjoy this film. I
just supplied Joe Tunzi with 3 COLOR photos of Elvis & the
Beatles for his new book "Beatles 65". Joe does such
great work that when he told me about this project, I knew these
photos belonged in his book. These photos as well will also
be in another project. Also gave my friend Barbara Leigh a few
photos to use with her new book that is coming out. And some
other books as well, Also myself & Bud Glass will be working
on a project that has unseen candid photos of Elvis at a secret
meeting taken by a photographer who got a tip about this meeting.
Without giving too much away, lets just say it's "Guaranteed
To Blow Your Mind"!! At the end of the year, I will be
working with dear friends Tom Salva and Joe Tunzi on a book
that will cover the 1973 Nassau Coliseum shows. And of course
I am happy to say: I will also be working with you Andylon on
your coffee table book, that you are doing with David Wilson
called "EPGold- Elvis live 54-77 ", and your
book that you will issue this year "Sports
cars & Rock and roll". You know I am more than happy
to help you out.., you know that....
Of course I know
you help me , Russ because you're my friend, right?(lol)
Hey, Andylon how come
you are so famous in the USA ?
Haa, who said that
someone knows me in The Netherlands? (lol) What is your favorite
Elvis site Russ ?
Andylon, without a
doubt it is your site! I check it daily to keep my self up to
date on everything going on. I also go to Elvis-Presley.com
"The official Elvis website", Jordan's Elvis world,
World wide Elvis, ForElvis CD collectors and of course ElvisNews.com.
There are many great sites out there to visit, too many to name.
But I do enjoy them all
What is your ultimate
wish on a Elvis-project in the future, Russ?
I will do an ULTIMATE
Candid photo book on Elvis Presley for all the fans to enjoy!
Well I can't wait
to hear more about this project, Russ. Anyway, I really enjoyed
talking to you and I would like to thank you for this great
interview you did for me and EpGold.com
Andylon, Thank
you so much for this interview, I really appreciate you asking
me. Keep up the good work. I will be checking your site everyday.
By the way, if there is anyone out there who has candid
photo's of Elvis, they want to sell, please contact me at Russ@Kingcandids.com
Thanks again Andylon.
Your welcome Russ,
till we meet again ....... ( do I know that song, Russ..? .....
(lol)
