CT: Maurice, I'd like to
welcome you to EpGold. I know you've been involved in a
lot of Elvis projects over the years and I'd like to touch upon
those for our readers, But first, could you please explain
to our readership how it was that you came to receive a letter
from Elvis and the events surrounding it?
MC: Sure Chris, but let me first say thanks to
Andylon and EpGold for extending me the invitation to talk of
what a special and generous man Elvis was. EpGold's a
great website and I love to visit it for the latest Elvis news.
CT: I'm sure Andylon will appreciate your comments
Maurice.
MC: Not a problem.
CT: So tell me Maurice, when did you first become
acquainted with Elvis Presley or his music.
MC: It was actually in 1957 and I was in love with
his voice the first time I heard it.
CT: So did you become a fan from then on?
MC: Absolutely and I started collecting everything
by Elvis I could get my hands on.
CT: So how did things lead from you just being an
Elvis fan to actually being in contact with Elvis?
MC: In
1958, I first met my future wife Maureen while at a dance
in England. However, what was coincidental about it was the fact
that I was only drawn into the dance hall by Elvis' music
blaring into the streets. So once inside, Maureen and I met and
danced to the beautiful Elvis love song of "Loving
You."
CT: That's interesting in and of itself, how Elvis'
voice played a part in bringing you and Maureen together.
So what happened after that?
MC: Shortly thereafter, Maureen and I married
in 1959, staying in England. We already had one child, John, but
it was during Maureen's second pregnancy that there were
complications.
CT:
What type of complications?
MC: Very sadly, at the time, Maureen was facing
life-threatening kidney failure which required immediate
hospitalization. It was a very depressing time for me, but
that's when I came up with an idea.
CT: What type of an idea?
MC: Perhaps out of desperation, in an attempt to lift
Maureen's spirits, I wrote Elvis asking if he would send
Maureen a 'get well' letter hoping that it might lift her
spirits and aid in her recovery.
CT:
Interesting idea, but I doubt few such letters are actually ever
answered by really big stars.
MC:
Well Elvis is different Chris. Elvis not only sent
Maureen a personal "get well" letter at the
hospital, but he also sent me a personal letter at my home to
simply let me know he had written Maureen.
CT: And these letters were actually in Elvis' own
hand? What did they say?
MC: Yes, they were personally hand written by Elvis
himself and authenticated by Sotheby's Auction House of London
in 1984. Carol Butler, of Elvis Presley Enterprises, wrote
to us in 1998 stating that our letters were quite valuable and
we certainly knew they were valuable in more ways than one.
CT: What had Elvis written to Maureen?
MC: He wrote to Maureen, "Just a short note to
say I hope you are feeling much better. Take care of
yourself and don't worry - everything will be alright.
Sincerely, Elvis Presley."
CT: Wow, that's very touching and sweet. And
what did Elvis write to you?
MC: Well, it was entirely unnecessary as he had
already written Maureen, but he wrote, "I sent your wife a
get well message. Take care of her and yourself. May
God bless you both. EP."
CT: That's very interesting, and did the letters
have their desired impact?
MC: Absolutely!!! Not only did my spirits
pick up immensely, but Maureen got much better and went on to
give birth to our beautiful daughter Tracey. Ironically
enough, Tracey went onto become almost a child prodigy -
musically - playing a Mozart Piano Concerto accompanied by an
orchestra at nine years old;-)
CT: That's a great ending to a beautiful story
Maurice. I also think it touches upon what so many of
Elvis' fans have always felt was left out of the major media
reports on him. For example, that he was an extremely
caring and loving man who'd do anything for anybody, regardless
of race, class or ethnicity, don't you agree?
MC: I couldn't agree more and that is what I admire
most about Elvis. The generosity of his spirit and the
versatility of his amazing voice.
The
original letters, as sent to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Colgan, by
Elvis Presley
-
CPT
CT: Speaking of his voice, Maurice, what are your
thoughts on the release of the latest Elvis album, E1, which
went #1 in over 25 countries around the world?
MC: I like the new "ELVIS" because it
brings to younger generations those very exciting early songs
which launched Elvis' meteoric career. It will, I feel,
whet their appetite for more.
CT: I agree Maurice, and speaking of whetting one's
appetite for more, you did so earlier when we were talking
privately and you mentioned various Elvis projects you have been
involved in. Would you mind letting our readership in on
past, present or future Elvis projects that you have had or will
have involvement in?
MC: My most recent efforts, though not my only
ones, kicked off back in 2001 when I came up with the idea for
an
"Elvis Presley International Airport, Memphis."
I had posted the idea on several Elvis message boards as well as
sent out the idea to various media outlets hoping to get some
positive feedback.
CT: Any response?
MC: Astoundingly, the first person to get in touch
with me about the project was Scott Shephard of the
"Memphis Business Journal." He was intrigued by the
idea of my proposal; we discussed it and a year later he was to
treat us to some southern style hospitality by having us to
lunch in Memphis.
CT: Did anything come of that meeting?
MC: Yes it did. Scott's article in the
"Memphis Business Journal" caused quite the stir on
Memphis radio where a heated debate over the issue then ensued.
Memphis television then ran a poll on the issue and we received
enough support to eventually have the story picked up by both
the "British News of the World" and the "Irish
News." Adding to its international flavor, the story
was also picked up in Australia and I was then interviewed on
the subject both here in Ireland as well as New Orleans back in
the states.
CT: So where did things go from there?
MC: At that point, with growing press coverage,
more fans got into the act and started a petition in support of
the idea which was given tacit approval by Graceland. However,
the city powers to be at the time pointed out that two Elvis
statues and Elvis Presley Boulevard were enough.
CT: Seems like a strange attitude to adopt towards
the man who brings more business into the City of Memphis than
anyone. Elvis has placed Memphis on the map, not only
domestically, but internationally.
MC: Yes, I agree. And although there were was
some fan support, the Elvis airport idea faltered because Elvis
fans did not join in force! But at present, I am hopeful
the idea will succeed as more people become aware of the project
and write Memphis City officials.
CT: You know Maurice, people hear that and think,
"Yeah right, like writing a letter works." But
you actually had some success with that did you not?
MC: Yes I did. In September of 1999 I had
visited Tupelo, Mississippi and was surprised to find there was
no statue of him in his birthplace. Consequently, I wrote
the Mayor of Tupelo, Larry K. Otis, suggesting that a statue of
Elvis as a boy would be nice and might help to attract tourists.
CT: Did your letter have any immediate impact?
MC: Not at first, but in 2000 I received an
enigmatic E-mail from the Mayor suggesting that something was in
the air. And much to my delight, on January 8, 2002 I
received one of the most wonderful messages I have ever
received.
CT: And that was?
MC: Tupelo had unveiled a beautiful life size
statue of "Elvis at 13!!!"
- Maureen, "Elvis at 13" and Maurice-
CT: That's great news Maurice and it really does show
that the efforts of one man really can make a difference!!!
MC: Yes they can Chris and I am more than
confident, that with the great, worldwide chart success Elvis
had this past year, that the "Elvis Presley International
Airport, Memphis" campaign may just "take - off"
this time!!!
CT: Wonderful pun and play on words, but speaking
of taking off Maurice, we're just about out of time here. But I
do sincerely appreciate your talking about your unique story and
some of the projects with which you are involved. Do you
mind providing an E-mail address if anyone would like to get in
contact with you to help out?
MC: No, not at all, and the pleasure has been all
mine. By E-mail, I may be contacted at
mauricepcolgan@eircom.net.
CT: That's great Maurice, I hope this publicity
helps you in your campaign and I wish you, Maureen and your
family all the best.
MC: I appreciate your time as well Chris and
EpGold's interest in my story. EpGold is a great web site
and my warmest regards to Andylon and the millions of Elvis fans
worldwide.
2003/02/04 Maurice P.Colgan / Christopher
P.Tyler / Ep.Gold.Com.