Kelly Burgess
Sivle nora
Elvis
Presley in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Among one of the most interesting stories
about a
Kalamazoo sighting involves Kelly Burgess. Kelly is a former assistant editor
and
feature writer with the Detroit News. The following is a transcript of the
taped interview
she gave on The Billy Goodman Show in the fall of 1988 broadcast via KBEG
Radio, Las
Vegas:
BG: Billy Goodman KBEG Radio
KB: Kelly Burgess
BG: We will be listening to Kelly Burgess. Kelly actually met Elvis Presley
in August
of this year, and she's going to tell us what happened at that meeting.
Welcome back to
this "story behind the story" in the Elvis Presley controversy, whether he's
dead or alive.
Our next guest is Kelly Burgess.
Kelly, you've got quite a background, Detroit News--tell us something
about yourself.
KB: Well, for ten years I was an editorial feature writer and sometime
columnist on the
staff of the Detroit News.
BG: ...and there came a time when you left the Detroit News?
KB: Yes, I left the Detroit News--since then I've been writing for national
magazines. I
have an article in this month's issue of Skin Diver magazine.
BG: I understand that you actually talked to Elvis. This is great. Tell us
about it. How
did you ever even think of trying to find him--where did you find him? Let's
start from
how you got there. Take us on your trip that you told us about today--it's
interesting.
KB: First of all, unfortunately, I was never an Elvis fan. I never had the
opportunity to
see a concert, never owned a record. When he died, I felt very bad, but it
just kind of
passed, and I never gave it a second thought until this summer. I don't know
if any of you
had access to the Michigan newspapers. There were several sightings of him in
Michigan, and that's where I'm from--Troy, Michigan, which is a suburb of
Detroit.
About the same time, I read Gail Giorgio's book Is Elvis Alive? and I became
quite
intrigued by the research that she did, and what she had uncovered. And the
more I read
about the sightings in Kalamazoo--as a reporter--it was a challenge. One day,
around the
first week in August, I told my twenty-two-year-old son, "Let's go to Kalamazoo
today." I
went totally expecting to find nothing. I had heard about the lookalike. And
when we
arrived in Kalamazoo, we went to Burger King, and to the YMCA.
BG: Tell everybody what happened at the YMCA. We can't let that get by.
KB: I went to the YMCA and spoke to the director of the fitness center and I
said, "Does
Elvis Presley work out here?" He said, "Just a minute, I'll have to check the
roster."
BG: I think that's great, I really do. Nonchalant as can be...
KB: ...which he did, and he came back and said, "No. Elvis Presley does not
work out
here." Let me tell you first that there is a lookalike running around
Kalamazoo creating
an uproar. Many people have seen him; he hangs around the Burger King, goes
into the
supermarket, could be spotted driving a car. I've even heard he throws parties
and invites
people and hands out T-shirts. That is not Elvis Presley.
BG: Where did you find Elvis Presley?
KB: I went to an old hotel on Main Street. Now, Kalamazoo is a small college
town
with very antiquated buildings. I went to this hotel, which was built in the
1890's--there's
a renovation underway there now--it's being converted from and old hotel into
an office
complex. Three gentlemen bought the hotel in 1985.
BG: Where did you find Elvis?
KB: You want to hear the details? The mystery behind it?
BG: Well, maybe we could go back afterwards to it. Where did you find Elvis
is what I
want to know.
KB: I went into the building and started surveying. There's five stories, a
five-story
building with an atrium elevator. I started surveying every floor. I had
three encounters
with security guards. I was not intimidated by the guards. They told me to
leave. They
said, "You're not allowed in here." My next step was to go into some of the
offices;
there are several tenants doing business in that building. I went into offices
asking for
Elvis Presley or John Burrows. They all looked at me, quite incredible. I
mean, here's
these business people and I'm asking for Elvis Presley. At one point some of
the people
said, "Elvis is not here, but we've seen his illegitimate son, Elvis Presley,
Jr.," which
turned out to be a joke. The last office I went into was off the main floor
and lobby. I
spoke to the receptionist and asked the same question. She said, "Just a
moment, I'll get
my manager." So the manager came out and I was speaking to him about Elvis,
and he
seemed quite interested, and asked my reason for being here. We talked about
five
minutes; I had my back to the office door. Suddenly he said, "There's the man
you want
to see," and I turned around. Elvis was standing there; it was almost as if
lightning had
struck in that room!
BG: You're there--it was Elvis. Tell us about what happened then.
KB: His presence was overwhelming. Now mind you, I've been a reporter; I've
seen
and worked on all kinds of stories. This was the first time in my life that I
was stunned.
I didn't know what to say. He took his finger--like this--and said, "What are
you doing in
this building bothering the tenants? I will not have this." He was very
angry. I said, "I'm
with the Detroit News and I'm doing a story on Elvis."
"I do not care if you're with the Detroit Star, I will not have this!"
Yet in the next moment his mood changed entirely. He was very kind. I
could feel
that he did not feel threatened by me; I was not aggressive. I started
talking to him and
he did not say a word for about five minutes. I started outlining some of the
facts in
Giorgio's book: "Why didn't anyone collect life insurance? And why didn't
Vernon
accept the flag for the coffin?" He stood there and listened; he didn't say
one word. At
one point I turned around and he was standing at a kind of angle. I turned so
that I could
look directly into his eyes. He had on gold-rimmed glasses, a modified version
of what
he used to wear; they had a slight tint to them. But I looked in his eyes,
and he had the
Elvis Presley expression in his eyes, which I think that most people that knew
him are
familiar with--that kind of sparkle--the same-shaped eyes, same-color eyes.
Again, I was
stunned. It was shining through, what comes through all of us that says, "This
is me." It's
kind of your soul that shines through your eyes. I said, "You have eyes just
like Elvis.
Are you a relative?" He said, "Nope."
See, for some reason, and today I still don't know why, I did not let him
know that I
thought he was Elvis. I still don't know why. I didn't come out and ask him.
After he
listened to my questions, he just stood there with a very pleasant look on his
face, smiling
at times. Just before I walked away, he said, "Yeah, but it's against the law
to hoax your
death." And I left the building, but then I returned. Should I talk about
that?
BG: What did you return for?
KB: To take a picture, to...
BG: Kelly, what does Elvis Presley look like?
KB: He's about sex feet, maybe 195 pounds, with a small pot-belly. He looked
really
good. He had a head of very thick white hair, without sideburns; his hair was
done up in
a kind of boyish haircut. Same mouth, same high cheekbones. I mean, it was
Elvis.
Anyway, I followed him into the construction office and he sat down at his
desk. Then
he put his head down. He spoke very little in the short time that I saw him.
I thought he
was looking for a pen so he could write my number down. Evidently he didn't
find one
and I didn't. I ripped out a deposit slip from my checkbook and handed it to
him. He
said, "All right, Kelly." And I left. After that I did get several hang-ups
and hold-ons on
my answering machine. It was quite and experience. I'll never forget it for
the rest of my
life.
BG: I wouldn't think you would.
KB: I mean, his presence was just electrifying.
BG: You, like everyone else, knew it was him--the vibrations and everything
that goes
with it, that it was Elvis. Kelly, I understand that you're writing a book?
KB: Yes, I am.
BG: What's it going to be about?
KB: It's going to be about Elvis Presley, from 1977 to 1988.
BG: You're going to tell what he's been doing. How about giving us some
inside
information.
KB: No. I'm sorry. I can't do that.
In a later telephone call made from Kelly Burgess to Gail Brewer-Giorgio,
she related
that she had uncovered evidence that was frightening and shocking. When Gail
asked her
if she had gotten a picture of Elvis that day, she said she'd rather not say.
After that Kelly
told Gail that she was dropping the idea of the book because the evidence she
had
uncovered was dangerous and she felt that a noninvolved posture was best. Gail
asked
Kelly if it had anything to do with the mob and Kelly replied, "Yes, it
does..."
Mickey Moran
http://moranandcompany.simplenet.com/elvispage.html
http://apps.vantagenet.com/aforums/thread.asp?id=19987129250
http://www.wgrr1035.com/wwwboard/messages/5.html
The mind is like an umbrella..., It works better when it is open.
MoonOOO
ooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhwwweeeeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhhhhh!
Have ever heard of this song Mickey?
"There coming to take you away my boy, there coming to take you
awaaaaaaaaaaayyyyy!"
Marty
Elvis Fan
why he has trouble ignoring you? If he feels that you might be out of
touch or a nitwit,why does he react to what you say? If you know that
Elvis is alive,then why does he bother with anything outside of his own
views? Why doesn't he have his own web page that can rebutt your claim
that Elvis is alive? Is he thinking that someone might take you
seriously? What's going on with this guy?
"THE KING OF ROCK AND ROLL MEETS THE ROCKABILLY REBEL AT LAST"!!!
MoonOOO
>why he has trouble ignoring you? If he feels that you might be out of
>touch or a nitwit,why does he react to what you say? If you know that
>Elvis is alive,then why does he bother with anything outside of his own
>views? Why doesn't he have his own web page that can rebutt your claim
>that Elvis is alive? Is he thinking that someone might take you
>seriously? What's going on with this guy?
ElvisFan,
I've basically ignored you for a long time because of your nonsensical
messages.
I have a couple of questions for you!
1, What business is it of yours if I respond to him?
2. Do you have a brother or sister, or someone not related who you feel that
way about for a long time? If so, and that person died, would you feel
friendly or appreciate someone who keeps telling you and many others that they
are still alive and hiding out? Would you have nice or kind feelings to the
nitwit who keeps doing that?
Do me a favor, don't butt in to my business.
You have always seem to me and some others here as a game player, don't play
with anything that has to do with me.
If you believe Elvis is alive, as Mickey does, or you just feel like having fun
and egg and annoy people with this nonsense then don't whine about the messages
you might get in return.
Other than that, take Mickey and your Rockabilly Rebel and fuck off!
Marty
Clint Johnson
Respond as you wish, because its people like you that stand up to
garbarge like Large -- I mean Elvis Fan.
Clint
TCB-Tom
Marty,
Well put! But I have yet to see any lunatic comply to sound
advice...just ignore the bastard!
--
TCB-Tom......Promoting ELVIS - Artist of the Century!
AlphaXiPhi
It's about time that someone responded to this stuff and put the poster in his
place.
- Brian
Bill Burk
the original post, I remembered my encounter with her.
She had read Giorgio's book and was convinced Elvis was alive. Called me to
pump me for certain "facts" from Gail's book (of which there were very
few!).
She said she was working for the Detroit News, which is a legit newspaper,
but on questioning her, she told me she was a stringer (part-time) for one
of its suburban editions.
She came across to me as a kook and I had no more dealings with her.
Just this past July one of Elvis' aunts told me Elvis was alive and he would
be coming out of hiding on 16 August 1998.
Maybe he forgot to set his alarm clock ?
You people claiming Elvis is alive need to produce Elvis, or produce 100%
proof of that fact -- and to date, after reading a year or two of postings,
that has yet to be done.
He's dead! Get ON with your lives !!!
Appreciate the musical legacy Elvis left behind and allow him to rest in
peace!
BILL E. BURK
Publisher, ELVIS WORLD magazine
And no, I did NOT (as claimed in Giorgio's 2nd printing) fly Elvis to Hawaii
the afternoon of 16 August 1977.
Elvis Fan
game of words. Anything goes on AEK,good or bad. You must be new around
here. You tell me to butt out of your business and yet you choose to
stick your big butt into my buisness.Hipocrap! It's a vicious cycle
isn't it? Now,go away and ignore what you just read. An AEKancer
exposed!!! Marty,you have just been Shelled!!! P.S. Take a long walk
off a short pier.
Sivle nora
why he has trouble ignoring you? If he feels that you might be out of
touch or a nitwit,why does he react to what you say? If you know that
Elvis is alive,then why does he bother with anything outside of his own
views? Why doesn't he have his own web page that can rebutt your claim
that Elvis is alive? Is he thinking that someone might take you
seriously? What's going on with this guy?
KingPresley,
The best I can figure, it's either his job to try to discourage the
believers or he just doesn't know the truth. I'm forced to go with the latter.
Reason being: If I were Elvis and planned an elaborate scheme such as this, I
certainly wouldn't let someone like Marty in on it. Marty didn't go to the
funeral. He didn't go to the funeral home to pay his last respects for the man
that had given him so much. Yet, he swears that Elvis is dead. How the hell
would he know? It's like he thought, "Well, he's gone now. I guess he can't
give me anything else."
Sivle nora
the afternoon of 16 August 1977.
Of course, you didn't. You can't get to Hawaii in the back of a Black
Camper Van, can you, Marty?
Elvis Fan
seem to have much going for itself. Mickey,has anyone seriously debated
all that you claim on Elvis being alive? What's in Elvis' casket now?
What does the "Memphis Mafia" know about all of this. Could Elvis have
trusted any of them to keep his secret? Although I can't automatically
believe that Elvis is alive,even with the DNA, I will say that you've
done so much in depth research and that who am I to say that you're off
base. Let somebody challenge what you've uncovered and "I Believe"
they'll come out flat. Hang in there,Mickey. P.S.You're no nitwit,but
you sure do have a wit. I support you all the way.
MoonOOO
>the afternoon of 16 August 1977.
>
>
> Of course, you didn't. You can't get to Hawaii in the back of a Black
>Camper Van, can you, Marty?
>
>
>Mickey Moran
No Mickey but I heard you and Bill The Beanie got it on in the back of one!
And when you both got off you were screaming, "Elvis, oh, Elvis!"
Marty
Wforme1
Camper Van, can you, Marty?
Mickey Moran
Hey Mick - it wasnt Marty who post that message - it was someone else - now u
need to be careful accusing this fine man until u got the right person's name.
Sivle nora
>u
>need to be careful accusing this fine man until u got the right person's
>name.
I'm talking about the interview he did with People Newspaper.
VinceEvret
> Reason being: If I were Elvis and planned an elaborate scheme such as this,
>I
>certainly wouldn't let someone like Marty in on it. Marty didn't go to the
>funeral. He didn't go to the funeral home to pay his last respects for the
>man
>that had given him so much. Yet, he swears that Elvis is dead. How the hell
>would he know? It's like he thought, "Well, he's gone now. I guess he can't
>give me anything else."
>
>
>http://moranandcompany.simplenet.com/elvispage.html
>http://apps.vantagenet.com/aforums/thread.asp?id=19987129250
>http://www.wgrr1035.com/wwwboard/messages/5.html
>The mind is like an umbrella..., It works better when it is open.
>
Perhaps Marty was too overcome by Elvis's death to go to his funeral. And just
what the hell does going to a funeral to see a dead body have to do with last
respects. Marty can pay his last respects from where ever he was at the time
as the soul of The King was in heaven.... and as far as not getting anything
anymore Mr. Moran it appears that you are the one wanting something from The
King who doesnt desearve it.
Oh and we cant ignore Mickey because he is just so ignorant.
VinceEvret
>they'll come out flat. Hang in there,Mickey. P.S.You're no nitwit,but
>you sure do have a wit. I support you all the way.
You can do this yourself if you are so inclined... Mickey has a claim of an
interview from Elvis to someone I dont care to remember the name of. This
interview is the same exact interview that Gail Brewer-Giorgio claimed she
taped when Elvis called her late one evening.... You can find a copy of her
tape... Then you can find a boxed set of Elvis recordings that has the same
exact interview or portions of it on it. Will I send that to you to prove
it... Hell no I dont have too. If youre truly interested you can uncover it
for yourself. ELVIS IS DEAD!
VinceEvret
>
>
Oh now he gets it right... How come you kept saying People Magazine Before?
You folks all believe that Rag Mag Bull Shit anyway?
TCB-Tom
Wforme1
Perhaps Marty was too overcome by Elvis's death to go to his funeral. And just
what the hell does going to a funeral to see a dead body have to do with last
respects. Marty can pay his last respects from where ever he was at the time
as the soul of The King was in heaven.... and as far as not getting anything
anymore Mr. Moran it appears that you are the one wanting something from The
King who doesnt desearve it.
Oh and we cant ignore Mickey because he is just so ignorant.
I totally agree - when my mother died - I didnt want to go to the funeral or
even want to see her face in that casket - it's too much to bear and couldnt
believe that she was gone. I can understand why Marty wouldnt want to go to the
funeral - and I wouldnt either because it'd crush my heart that I would not be
able to control myself if I see Elvis in that casket. When I first saw the
picture of Elvis in the casket - I did not want to buy it and would NOT even
look at the pic whenever I was in the grocery store. I still would not. I HATE
to see people in that casket because it SO sad when someone HAD to die.