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EIN: Thanks so much for taking out some of your valuable time to chat with us, Elvis fans will no doubt be fascinated. M.S: After winning the International Karate Championships in 1964 that evening, Ed Parker, Elvis’s karate instructor, also the event’s promoter, invited Bruce Lee, Jhoon Rhee and myself for Chinese dinner. This was the first time I met Bruce Lee and we spent the rest of the evening talking about martial arts related topics.
Mike Stone with Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee and James Coburn
M.S: I watched Elvis on television for the first time on the Ed Sullivan Show. An impossible thought came to mind as I watched him perform. This weird situation happened two other time with famous singers I would later meet and become very good friends with strange synchronicity seeing him on TV. I also watched Johnny Mathis and Engelbert Humperdinck. In both instances when the camera cut in for a close up on their faces I knew instantly that one day I would meet all three of them in person. This was really strange as I was a young boy growing up on the island of Maui in the late 50’s with no thought of ever leaving Hawaii. M.S: No, I did not meet Elvis or Priscilla that evening. They were invited by Ed Parker, who also promoted that event in Hawaii. I believe Elvis and Priscilla were in Hawaii on vacation and Ed Parker invited them to watch the event. They came into the arena a few minutes after it started and left a few minutes before it ended to avoid the stampede which would have happened if they stayed. I took their decision to leave early as a gesture of thoughtfulness and consideration for the athletes, if they remained the focus and attention would be on them and not the fighters who would have been honored with an awards ceremonies for their efforts and accomplishments. I thought Elvis was cool for his consideration of others. M.S: Yes, I along with everyone else there, I thought it was a big deal for them to take time out during their vacation to stop by. I realize that Elvis decided to stop by because he loved karate and out of his respect for his karate teacher, Ed Parker. M.S: Well, Phil Spector was actually in attendance at the International Championships in the1964 event, and saw me compete. He asked his karate instructor, Emil Farkas, for my number and contacted me to ask if I would be willing to work with him as a bodyguard. I worked off and on for nearly 5 years, mostly to travel with Phil when he left California. Like to New York and England where I met the Beatles and even got to sit next to John Lennon at the piano during a recording session of ‘Instant Karma’. M.S: Yes, RCA executives wanted to entice Phil to produce a single for Elvis. Phil took advantage of RCA’s generosity by taking his wife, Veronica, myself, and George Brand, Phil’s full time bodyguard to meet Elvis backstage after his show.
John Lennon and Phil Spector at the 'Imagine' sessions
M.S: Yes, because they really wanted Phil to work with Elvis. Phil had expressed before making the trip to Vegas, that he had no intention of working with Elvis, but acted “as if” he was interested but was more interested in having RCA pay for his weekend and wanted to add to their expenses by bring his wife, Veronica, George Brand and myself, plus free center stage view, the bonus was to go backstage and chat with Elvis. M.S: Do your followers have a few hours to listen to only a few of the stories I have of Phil’s outrageous behaviors? Let me share this, it will answer your question. I was at home, in the Philippines, listening to the news I heard that Phil was arrested for the murder of an actress, shot in his mansion. The first thing I said was, “Guilty as charged.” During my time working with Phil I can account for a half dozen situations in which a gun or threat of a gun was used. In my autobiography I share many of these stories in great detail. I created a habit of writing down all my encounters and situations when I worked with Phil. Why? Because my first day on the job when I arrive at Phil’s mansion at La Colina Dr. Beverly Hills, I was greeted by George Brand, his bodyguard who warned me, “Be careful Phil will get you killed.” M.S: Well, after the first couple of years working and meeting many celebrities and stars I have come to the conclusion I should never have any expectation about who they are as people. Expectations only produce disappointment and unhappiness. It doesn’t take long before you can separate the performer, actor from the person they are. They are like everyone else, in a sense, they may have special gifts and talents, but alone, at night, in the dark, we are all just people who want to be loved, respected and listened to. What is most important is not so much who they or you think they are, but it’s how they treat you and make you feel that’s important.
Elvis on stage, Las Vegas January 1971
EIN: What was Elvis like when you saw him perform and how did Priscilla happen to get your attention? M.S: Well, first of all, I was always a fan of Elvis and his music, how could anyone not be? He is the best stage performer I’ve ever seen. Elvis had “IT”, attitude, charisma, presence, energy, everything. When I first met Priscilla backstage there was nothing about her which got my attention. Later in our relationship whenever we went out in my area, Orange County, no one really recognized her as Priscilla but just a very beautiful woman. In the book I also mention a few funny incidences which happened to us in public where people would approach us recognizing me as a celebrity with a beautiful girl by my side, which I know irritated Priscilla, as she wanted to be known for who she was, not who she was with.
M.S: No, because her interest in karate may have started from Elvis’s passion for it. Priscilla was also taking karate lessons from Ed Parker as well. Actually Elvis exposed her to it at these few events we talked about. So, they were not really “outside” interest. It was interested they both shared with many other people. EIN: Did you feel she was looking for something new when you started to get to know her? M.S: Yes, she may have been, but aren’t we all looking for new things in our life especially when we feel, stuck, trapped, not able to breathe, and move about freely? At that particular time in her life, maybe that is how she felt, like growing, learning, trying to find herself. Most of us will go through life never really knowing who we are…how much fun and freedom can that be for anyone? EIN: Some fans suggest that there could be some fault on your part that caused Priscilla and Elvis to split. Knowing how unfaithful Elvis was all the time, how do you feel about those kind of statements? M.S: I do understand how fans would feel that way, but unless you have walked at least a mile in someone else’s shoes, be grateful and humble you have feet. M.S: No, I feel that Priscilla and I did not share similar marital situations. In my case it was my selfishness, immaturity, and negative choices which allowed my situation to get the level that it did. My situation happened long before Priscilla came along. I can’t speak for her, of course. EIN: Did you still continue your Karate school during your time with Priscilla? How did you juggle both work and play? M.S: I continued to teach and promote events for about two years before I sold my schools about the time we moved to Summit Drive.. M.S: Sorry, I have not read Priscilla’s book so I am not familiar with Elvis making that comment to her. In either case, I don’t get it. Was it meant to be a slur or compliment… I take it as a compliment. EIN: Priscilla noted that it was a 45 minute drive to and from your Karate school. How on earth did she justify all that time away from home to Elvis or her friends? M.S: Great question, I thought about that a lot in the beginning, until I asked her about it. During that period of time I believe Elvis was spending a lot of his time in Memphis, or traveling around with the “gang’ doing other things. M.S: For almost a year. It was Priscilla’s decision to tell Elvis, when she felt confident and secure in our relationship to tell Elvis.
EIN: That must have been difficult with the paparazzi following Elvis' ex-wife looking for clues. M.S: Of course neither of us were out there flaunting our new relationship, but we were not really hiding. Well, if you lived in Huntington Beach during that period it may be considered hiding, because the paparazzi didn’t have a clue where my karate school was, they did not want to admit it so they claimed we were keeping a big secret. EIN: How did Elvis eventually find out about your affair with Priscilla? M.S: Priscilla felt confident and did not wish to keep it a “secret’ anymore. So, she flew to Vegas and told him. EIN: There are lots of rumours including the one that Lisa Marie told Elvis she saw you two "wrestling" on a camping trip! M.S: You are right that it must be a rumor because this is the first time I have ever heard that one. If it was the truth I would have heard of it before this moment. WOW. M.S: I must confess to you and your fans that there are a few things here that I am reading for the very first time. I have ever heard these comments and accusations. I must have been living in an altered reality. This story about the South-Americans attacking Elvis on stage… is this truth? EIN: It is the truth, and there is even a concert recording of it happening with four men attacking him on stage on Sunday February 18, 1973 in Las Vegas. M.S: Well, I am not aware or have ever been told that this is the reason Elvis went crazy and put a “hit” out on me. I read in the book ‘Elvis What Happened’ that Elvis went crazy because he was told that I was the reason Priscilla wanted a divorce. EIN: Did you know anything about it at the time? M.S: No, never. I understood that Elvis was angry because of Priscilla telling him that she wanted a divorce, she never told Elvis who the person she was seeing. Chronologically I don’t know the actual time frame of these revelations.
EIN: Did you have a lot to do with Lisa Marie's growing up? Did she relate well to you? M.S: No, I didn’t have a lot to do with Lisa Marie growing up. I do really know how well anyone could expect a 6,7,8 or 9 year old to relate to a different man in her life who is not her father? EIN: There is another rumour that Elvis was angry with you since you stopped Lisa Marie from talking to him or seeing him at times? M.S: I have answered this stupid question before and you can find my reply in my recent you-tube interview. I stand by it. M.S: No, I was not physically present at the steps of the courthouse. Of course, you would have to ask Priscilla how she felt at that time, as for me, I felt a big relief when my divorce papers were finalized.
EIN: Where did you and Priscilla live all those years? M.S: The question makes it sound like we were together for 12 years but it was about 4 plus years. We lived in Marina Del Rey for about a year then two plus years on Summit drive. EIN: Did you think the relationship would last for longer than it did? M.S: No, I was surprised it lasted that long. M.S: Priscilla had made up her mind that she was leaving him, no separation only a divorce. Surely, I cannot be held accountable for her separation. I am sure I served a purpose by our relationship and I benefitted and learned a great deal from my experiences with her.
EIN: I believe you are good friends with Engelbert Humperdinck, do you still keep in touch? M.S: Yes, we are very close, we are always emailing each other, often without a reason. M.S: I needed to find out who I am and to reconnect to my spiritual nature. I am certain anyone would have a very difficult time finding one’s true self in Hollywood or Beverly Hills, I have a sense that is where one goes to lose one’s self completely. M.S: It’s been more like 37 years, but who’s counting. In having found myself here, I have created a program, The Life-Changing Experience. In fact, two days ago I signed an agreement with Folio Literary Management to produce two books; the first is an autobiography and the second self-help book, sharing my years of experiences in making negative choices and now accept 100% responsibility for every choice I make. (EIN Note: Visit Mike Stone Life-Changing Experience website here) M.S: All the time, at least every 18 months. EIN: It must have been a shock to everyone that Bruce Lee died so young. Do you still keep in touch with Chuck Norris, Dave Hebler or any of your old karate gang? M.S: Social media has been a great aid in me keeping up with old friends M.S: No EIN: Do you think it is sad to see Lisa Marie struggle with the debt of being Elvis' daughter? M.S: Yes, It is difficult enough for a person to find peace, harmony and balance in their own life then add the burden of living with the image and weight of the perception and expectations others have for you.
EIN: You published a well-recognised book 'Mike Stone's Book of American Eclectic Karate' back in 1984. How long have you been working on your autobiography? M.S: I have been taking notes pretty much all my life, especially about the mistakes, poor judgement and negative choices I’ve lived and how I’ve turned my life around completely with a new awareness of my connection to everything and everyone. M.S: There are a couple ideas I like, ‘The Last Sensei’, the other is ‘Turning Point’. I’m flexible and open to other suggestions. EIN: Both are cool titles. There have been so many tales surrounding your life-story as well as your involvement in the Elvis legacy that I am sure fans will be happy to hear the truth. Mike Stone it has been a real pleasure to talk with you, your life has been one incredible ride. It's great news that your life-story has found a publisher. EIN: Thanks for all the stories and let's talk again when you know the book is coming out...
Please check out Mike Stone's Life-Changing Experience website here And for more information see the Mike Stone Karate Facebook page here
Huge thanks to EIN friend Lisa Lauren who helped us connect up with Mike Stone - Thanks as always.
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network.
Elvis Presley, Elvis and Graceland are trademarks of Elvis Presley Enterprises. The Elvis Information Network has been running since 1986 and is an EPE officially recognised Elvis fan club.
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