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The Jerry Schilling "new book" scam
A detailed account of last week's "fake" book announcement.
Spotlight by Nigel Patterson, 2025
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The “Jerry Schilling” scam………"alleged" new book by Memphis Mafia member, Jerry Schilling - "Revolutionary of Graceland and the Great Memphis Majfia - Elviss Presslin"
This is a detailed account of last week's "fake" book announcement on Facebook attempting to "rip off" Elvis fans. It is an example of how easy it can be to scam people out of money! |
Background: In 2007, Jerry Schilling released his very informative and entertaining memoir, Me and A Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley. (see EIN review)
The scam: In March 2025, "Jerry Schilling 951693" on Facebook (there are several using the "real" Jerry's photo) announced a new book with conspicuous misspellings of "Elvis Presley" and "Mafia" on the book cover - quickly corrected when the misspellings were queried!
Promotion for the book was:
"Dear fellow Elvis fan, I'm beyond thrilled to introduce you to a brand-new, unpublished book that's extremely close to my heart. As Elvis best friend, I'm honored to share with you "Revolutionary of Graceland and the Great Memphis Mafia".
"This incredible book takes you on a journey through the early life of Elvis Presley, exploring the history of Graceland, and delving into the lives of those closest to him, including Lisa Marie. But that's not all. It also sheds light on the mysterious Memphis mafia and their connection to Elvis.
"What makes this book even more special is that it was one of Elvis own projects, something he was working on before his untimely passing. It's a testament to his enduring legacy and a must-read for any true Elvis fan.
"I'd love for you to get your hands on a copy and experience the magic of Elvis story for yourself. Trust me, it's a real page-turner! Let's make some noise about this book and get it the attention it deserves.
"Spread the word, share your thoughts, and let's celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll together!
"With love and appreciation, Jerry Schilling."
Those who enquired about the book received one or more messages including:
- - Message #1:
XXXXX Please reach out to my management team email at:
managementteamtlc1@gmail.com
They will take care of arranging a signed copy for you. Just mention my name and they will know to prioritize your request.
I appreciate your offer to share the news with your Fanclub - that means a lot to me 😘 Let's keep the Elvis spirit alive and rocking!
Thanks again for your kindness and support. TCB indeed⚡️
Jerry Schilling
- - Message #2:
Thanks for your love and support Mr Dave.
Unfortunately, you can get a signed autographed copy of the book through my management team email below
Managementteamtlc1@gmail.com
Jerry Schilling
There were more 30-40 responses to the announcement, many thanking Jerry for his continued support of Elvis and most also asking how they could buy the book!
These posts were also added but quickly removed by the page administrators:
Nigel Patterson XXXXXXXXXX Check the spelling mistakes on two of the four book covers they have published. This book looks like a scam.
Nigel Patterson
Caveat emptor!
Nigel Patterson
XXXXXXXXXX This book is a scam!!
The clues: There were several clues suggesting the promotion was a "potential" scam:
*EPE had not announced the book (Jerry Schilling is closely associated with EPE)
*none of the major Elvis sites published news of it
*the strange book title
*misspellings on the original book cover
"Elviss Presslin", but was quickly corrected to "Elvis Presley")
*an image of internal pages showed non-English text
*email responses to interested buyers used unusual terms (eg. "Thank you Mr. Dave" or "Thank you Ms. Helen")
internal pages showed non-English text
Based on language used by the poster in responses to interested buyers and the image of internal pages featuring non-English text, it appeared the post originated from an eastern European country.
Ending the scam: The Elvis Information Network (EIN) identified the scam. On Saturday March 15, EIN advised both Facebook and EPE, leading to the removal of the offending page.
By early Sunday March 16, the page on Facebook was "blank" and EPE's Angie Marchese subsequently posted a social media message drawing attention to the scam:
Angie Marchese
*** WARNING *** Jerry DOES NOT have any SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES. This is a Fake page. There is no BOOK. THIS IS NOT JERRY SCHILLING. Please spread the word.
Final comments:
While positive posts on the “fake” Jerry Schilling page indicated many fans had fallen for the con, thinking the book was genuine, it is unknown how many sent between US120 and US$180 to the scammer(s) for one of the "alleged" three book variations (basic, autographed and special editions).
We can expect there will be more of these scams in the future. Before sending money to organisations that are NOT well known, check out their bona fides and carefully examine images and text in the promotion. If there is a Paypal option use it, as Paypal has a "money back" provision........ and ask questions.
The accompanying images show the various covers for the book and apparent internal pages.
And always remember…… ..Caveat Emptor (Let the Buyer Beware)!!
Other EIN spotlights on 'Elvis In Literature'
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Elvis in Literature #4 - 'Elvis, Barbra, A Star Is Born, and a girl circling overhead': That Elvis was considered for the co-lead role in A Star Is Born, starring Barbra Streisand, has long been a discussion point among fans. Why didn't Elvis take up the offer? Could he have carried it off?
Ms Streisand recently released her autobiography, My Name is Barbra (Century Books), a mammoth book of nearly 1,000 pages (but unfortunately no index)!!
Streisand's account of discussions with Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker about the role of John Norman Howard is interesting - and her description of meeting Elvis also includes a fascinating and somewhat bizarre account of why Elvis was late in meeting up with her.
Go to 'Elvis in Literature #4' on Barbra Streisand and Elvis for the whole story, photos and excerpts..
(Spotlight, Source;Nigel Patterson/ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis in Literature #3 – ''Elvis's Man Friday' by Gene Smith: Continuing EIN’s occasional series of interesting and (hopefully) thought-provoking Elvis excerpts (references/discussions) found in general literature.
Elvis's Man Friday by Elvis' first-cousin Gene Smith is an often forgotten "insider" memoir.
Elvis and Gene were very close from a young age, and Gene later became a prominent member of Elvis' Memphis Mafia.
In his book, published in hardcover (with dust jacket) in 1994, Gene recounted his time with Elvis in linear fashion, in what was a very readable, entertaining and informative release.
In particular, the reader is informed about a number of unusual things and Elvis' idiosyncrasies.
EIN wonders how many readers knew that Elvis and Gene had (for a while) their own secret language?...
Go to 'Elvis in Literature #3' 'Elvis's Man Friday' by Gene Smith for the whole story, photos and excerpts..
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis in Literature #2 – 'Inside Elvis' by Ed Parker: Continuing EIN’s occasional series of interesting and (hopefully) thought-provoking Elvis excerpts (references/discussions) found in general literature.
'Inside Elvis' by Elvis' good friend and martial arts instructor, Ed Parker, is one of the most liked memoirs by a member of Elvis' inner circle. Originally published in 1978, today it is difficult to find the original hardback.
Thematically, Parker’s book is about who Elvis was as a person. He discusses several subjects not often included in books about Elvis, including Elvis’ interest in psychic healing and UFOs, and he also comments on Elvis’ relationship with Red West.
Ed Kealoha Parker was an American martial artist, actor, senior grandmaster, and founder of American Kenpo Karate. Parker had a minor career as a Hollywood actor and stunt man. His most notable film was Kill the Golden Goose. In this film, he co-stars with Hapkido master Bong Soo Han.
But Parker is best known to Kenpoists as the founder of American Kenpo and is referred to fondly as the "Father of American Kenpo." He is formally referred to as Senior Grand Master of American Kenpo. Parker also authored more than a dozen books, most about the martial arts.
He served as one of Elvis' bodyguards during his final years.
Go to 'Elvis in Literature #2' – Inside Elvis by Ed Parker' for the whole story
(Spotlight, Source;ElvisInfoNet) |
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Elvis, Ann-Margret, the filming of Viva Las Vegas (aka 'Love in Las Vegas'), the slap heard across Hollywood, (and more): The story of the behind-the-scenes filming of Elvis’ best and highest grossing film, Viva Las Vegas (released in 1964), is colorful, and one that had repercussions for Elvis’ subsequent films as well as a rare loss for Colonel Tom Parker.
Drawing on a wide range of sources, EIN’s Nigel Patterson takes a reflective look at the drama between star, manager, Ann-Margret, Viva Las Vegas film director and what it all meant.
Read the full article
(Spotlight, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Book Review: 8mm Elvis - The Story of Elvis on 8mm': Long before the days of Bluray, DVD and VHS people watched home movies on 8mm film.
'8mm Elvis The Forgotten Format' is a glossy, colour, hardback book cataloguing the history of Elvis on 8mm film.
Author Vince Wright has been collecting all the Elvis 8mm he could find since the 80s.
He explained.. “I was cataloguing all these films hoping someone would write a book about it – I waited, they didn’t, so I did.”
So in 2023, and after many years of searching and researching, the author has released his comprehensive narrative and visual record of Elvis on 8mm.
This book is unique in its narrative and visual content and is an important inclusion in the complex jigsaw puzzle that forms a complete record of the multi-varied story of Elvis Presley.
Go here to read Nigel Patterson's review
(Book Reviews, Source;ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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'The Airplanes & The King' In-depth review: The original spanish book 'Los Aviones Y El Rey' by Carlos Varrenti was republished as an expanded English version 'The Airplanes & The King' towards the end of 2022.
Not only that but it was expanded from its original 197 pages to an amazing 400 pages with a lot of unreleased material and stunning photos from the 'Elvis Files' vaults!
The English version was unfortunately delayed by supply issues due to the worldwide Covid pandemic - but has now been published as a High quality Hardback book.
As an Aeronautical engineer and Elvis fan, Varrenti is well qualified to write a book which details Elvis’ history with his aircraft and his link to aeronautics in general. With photos and stories from 1955 through to 1977 - and beyond - the book is also an interesting historical look at Elvis’ life "on tour" but this time with an delightfully original theme.
EIN's Nigel Patterson takes a very detailed look at this impressive publication and discovers a trove of delights...
(Book Reviews, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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(Book Review) Elvis Live At The International 50th Anniversary Edition (Kieran Davis): In 2011, Kieran Davis released the highly praised book, Elvis Live At The International. In 2022, he has published an expanded 50th Anniversary edition…and what an expansion it is!
The latest edition dwarfs the original with 432 pages compared to 172 in the original release.
And the added 250+ pages of additional material is stunning, making the 50th Anniversary release one of the best Elvis books published in 2022.
As its title reflects, the book covers Elvis' appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas between 1969 and 1971 (it was renamed the Las Vegas Hilton in July 1971). The narrative element is significantly based around fan, Peggy Elzea’s copious diaries, and a bumper array of archival material. Peggy’s experience seeing Elvis in Las Vegas is one every fan will envy.
There is so much fascinating information and so many striking images in the book that it is hard to know where to start in describing it...
Read Nigel Patterson’s detailed 2,700 words review
(Book Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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(Book Review) 'The Sonic Swagger of Elvis Presley: A Critical History of the Early Recordings' (Gary Parker):. ‘For Elvis Presley, stardom was the promise, and he made the trip, but at an extraordinarily high cost’. This is one of the thought provoking themes in Gary Parker’s latest book which critically examines in thoroughly researched detail, Elvis’ seminal recordings in the 1950s (as well as more briefly discussing Elvis’ post Army recordings).
Noting that... "Elvis' clever manipulation of his numerous interests remains one of the music world's great marvels. Presley, with one foot in delta mud and the other in a country hoedown, teamed with Scotty Moore and Bill Black to fuse two distinctly American musical forms -- country and blues -- to form what would come to be known as 'rockabilly'". This is a book with plenty to discuss.
In their 2,100 words collaboration, EIN’s Nigel Patterson and Piers Beagley, review what they have found to be one of the best, and most important, Elvis book releases of 2022.
Read the full review here
(Book Review, Source: ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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Book Review - Elvis: The Quest For An Oscar (James Turiello): Many will find it surprising that someone could write more than 500 pages detailing the case why Elvis deserves to receive an Honorary Academy Award, but author James Turiello has achieved this with his latest book.
EIN's Nigel Patterson spent a weekend exploring the author's argument.
Can someone who appeared in Kissin' Cousins, Harum Scarum and Clambake really be Oscar worthy?
In a detailed review, Nigel discusses what the book has to offer and provides his assessment of whether or not the author successfully makes his case that Elvis is deserving of an Honorary Oscar.
Go here to read Nigel's insightful review
(Book Review, Source:ElvisInformationNetwork) |
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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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