The international theatrical release of director Baz Luman’s “Elvis” film, starring Tom Hanks and Austin Butler, focuses on the beginning of the King’s career. A hip-swinging truck driver who plays rock ‘n’ roll in the southern states. But with the new Hollywood saga, the debate about the late Elvis’ addiction to pills is heating up again.
At the height of his addiction in the 1970s, the rock icon is said to have taken around 30 sleeping pills and taken nine shots of Demerol. Always accompanied by amphetamines, codeine, morphine, diazepam or placidyl.
His stepbrother David E. Stanley mentioned these details in an interview with the London tabloid “The Sun”. Stanley worked for Elvis as a bodyguard and tour manager.
“I tried to stop him,” says Stanley. “One time he pointed a gun at me and said, ‘Put that stuff back out.’ I just told him, ‘You hired me to protect you!’”
Ultimately, no one was harmed. But with this revolver gesture, Elvis wanted to show that the dramatic consumption of pills was his decision, which he didn’t want anyone to ban him from. “Elvis loved us. But he became severely addicted and couldn’t get out of it,” says Stanley. “He liked the effect of the material and eventually couldn’t stop. It cost him his life.”
The gun attack is said to have taken place before a show at Louisiana State University (LSU), when Stanley couldn’t get the star out of his head and instead demonstratively scattered his boss’s tube of pills on his bed.
“I’ve never seen anyone as addicted as my brother”
“I went into his room and said, ‘Time to get up, boss. You have to get out.’ He just said, ‘What I need is my medication!’ I just replied: ‘Like this one?’ – and took one of the pill bottles and dumped it on the bed.”
Elvis then got up and fumbled for his gun. “It’s not your job.'” Elvis waved the gun and aimed it at the minder’s head. “I’ve never seen anyone as addicted as my brother.”