Ask Charlie Hodge

Well according to Charlie Hodge on the irish morning tv program on Friday the 18th he said that the "Parker" was the best thing that ever happened to Elvis and that "Parker" never used him. So this puts all the bad choices made, eg the movies, down to Elvis" responsibility and not the Tom Parkers. If this is Charlies way of thinking i'd rather not here his replys to any questions.

I'd like to ask him why he laughed so loudly at every joke made by Elvis, even if it wasn't funny. It makes him look dumb, and it shows he was a "yes-man" like the others, even if he was Elvis' best friend (much more than Joe). That's says a lot about the whole group.

Although I live in Tennessee, I have never met Charlie. I don't have a question, I would just like to know the funniest, most memorable "event, thing, etc." that he can remember about Elvis. I don't want to hear "dirt" on the King, that would upset me, and I don't believe Charlie has ever done that. I just want something funny and memorable. Thanks.

"I'd like to ask him why he laughed so loudly at every joke made by Elvis, even if it wasn't funny." His role was a lot like Paul Schaeffer on Letterman or Ed McMahon on the Tonight Show. They're there too help lighten the mood, encourage the audience and set a tone. The sidekicks laugh at the jokes, even the ones they've heard a thousand times, because they're *putting on a show*. It's for the benefit of the audience's experience. In that respect, Charlie Hodge is no different from thousands of other entertainers.

elvis sessions so what you mean is that charlie was a plonker !! ok then. he dosent seem to know his left leg from his right. To say that Parker was the best thing that ever happened to Elvis is ludicrus ( spelt wrong but you know what i mean) I seen him on the irish tv show and he talked complete crap !!

elvis sessions one more thing ok you said it youreslf , charlie acted like a side kick but you know what Elvis thought he was a close friend, but like you said elvis sessions Charlie was only a side kick, a leach on Elvis" side !

elvissessions: No, he acted this way in private also. Actually, I wonder if he could have acted another way. Maybe he was Elvis' best friend, because many people around Elvis told me this, but it says a lot about the entourage. Being with these people for all his life, maintained Elvis in a not-so-challenging environment. They all seem so dumb. Some will tell me it's Elvis' choice. Theyre right: his choice and his failure. I just can't understand it.

The trouble with mentioning anyone who was around Elvis for so long is that they will be accused of being a leech, sidekick, hanger-on, etc. Isn't it just a possiblity that there were one or two decent people around him too? Anyone who has ever listened to Charlie Hodge talk about Elvis can obviously see that he loved the man. He was devastated by Elvis' death - and that's an account given by others in Elvis' circle. So he praised the Colonel. So what? The Colonel made some monumental mistakes in regard to Elvis. On the other hand he also made some shrewd decisions too. Give Elvis some credit for those he chose to have around him. He knew exactly what the score was in regard to the hangers-on, the Colonel, etc. They weren't perfect and neither was Elvis. Can any of us say that the people we choose to have around us - friends or otherwise - are always the greatest examples of virtue, and always have our best interests at heart?? Give Charlie some credit. He at least talks of Elvis in glowing terms. If he has some interesting stories to tell then great. Elvis chose his friends. We weren't there so bad-mouthing someone without the facts is pointless.

Charlie is a wonderful person, with a huge heart, a huge sense of humour, a golden soul and last but not least with a great musical talent. Just the right friend for the King!

"We weren't there so bad-mouthing someone without the facts is pointless"... well it IS a fact that he laughed at every dumb joke, and that looks/ sounds stupid.

Rev.. if he was "just the right friend for the king" then why did he say that Tom Parker was the best thing that happened to Elvis?? We all know Elvis could have been so much more without Parkers manipulation.

I know him as a person who really has a wonderful laugh, and who has the wonderful gift to infect a lot of people with his joyousness. Don't blame him that you do not belong to those. He is a very warm hearted man. And if you are his friend and have sorrow and cry, he will cry with you.

It was not Elvis' and it is not Charlies' passion to criticize people, especially those whose abilities they know. And both were wise enough knowing that there is noone without weaknesses.

If i could ask Charlie a question it would be " Why did Elvis go through some great songs in rehersals but still sing the same old stuff on stage?"

Ah, Lex! Was wondering when you'd pop up again. Maybe Charlie did go a little over the top in laughing at every joke but I don't think that this means that Charlie was/is insincere towards Elvis as a friend. I can tell you what he doesn't do. He doesn't go around referring to Elvis as now nothing more than "a bag of bones" like a certain someone I could mention. I wonder who I'm referring to? P.S. Is there anything that Elvis did that you didn't think was dumb? And before you say it, I don't look on Elvis as some kind of perfect god-like being who could do no wrong. After all, you've already filled that post no doubt.

Sorry Lex, my mistake. You never did refer to Elvis as a "bag of bones" I've just read that posting of yours again. You actually referred to him as "a pile of bones". Most of your postings seem to either criticise Elvis or the opinions of his fans. How pathetic.

Boys, don't get too personal again!

Recommend you all read Charlie's book "Me 'N Elvis Elvis" before you assume things regarding his attitudes and relationships. It's an easy read. TCB'n with TLC, Bett

Old Shep.. fantastic question absoultley fantastic question, but charlie would probably say well parker wanted him to do better songs but elvis didnt.... charlies dodgy from wot i seen

I want to ask this again.... cause u all seem to be ignoring it, why on irish tv did Charlie say that Parker was the best thing that happend to Elvis? why ?? we all know thats cod testicles!

elvis was he's own worst enemy and you can blame the colonel . elvis bored and on substances and the colonel at the gambling what do you expect . elvis was relying on substances got fat and lazy that why he recorded only and only the same old songs in live .

eagle elvis got lazy? 2 concerts a day and thats lazy?

Do you know how many concerts Elvis done? No singer or group would think of doing that many concerts today. Cause they know how hard work it is. I have nothing to ask Charlie Hodge

Perhaps Elvis did so many concerts because he had to keep the money coming in. He spent money like crazy and when it was running low he went on tour. He didn't leave much behind when he died.

I think your right Teacher. I dont think Elvis had much choice but to keep doing the concerts. It could not have done Elvis' health much good. Maybe I should ask Charlie why Elvis done so many concerts in the 70s

King of WB: if someone over here is pathetic, it's you. I only said that overdone laughing sounds stupid. I never said something about Hodge as a friend to Elvis. And repeating that bag or pile of bones remark only shows how narrow minded you are. I bet you could do better if you search all my contributions on the internet over the years. The only thing you will discover is that I think the "huray, it's Elvis" contributions doesn't add much.

I have just spent the past few days in the company of Charlie Hodge during his visit to Dublin. I can easily say he is the nicest people I have met in a long time. He is genuine in all he says and he was with Elvis for a long time which speaks volomes, unless people doubt Elvis' judge of charachter. He tells funny, personal and sometimes sad stories of his time with Elvis. Anyone he spoke of in Elvis' entourage, he spoke oabout highly and with great regard and never spoke a bad word about anyone, he still holds them all as his friend as he does Elvis..He was a true genleman in the time I spent with him and talks endlessly about his friend Elvis. As for peole saying why wasnt he in Elvis' will if he was such a good friend? If you were a fan surely you would know the answer. He chatted to everyone, gave autographs tirelessly, and was just a gentleman in every sense. I think he supported Elvis in every way he could and if a few moments in a documentary were he laughs at jokes forms your opinion of Charlie then I suggest that mindsets need to be broadened and look beyong the reels of movie clips..18 years living at Graceland is a great legacy and if he was good enough for Elvis ..well then thats good enough for me and should be for eveyone else..

I'd like to know some of the details about the music lessons Charlie apparently took in Germany, and then shared what he had learned with Elvis.

larflynn, You are right I wen to the show, it was great Charile was Fantastic. I meet him after the show and he is a gent very kind and sincere, you can tell why Elvis kept him around. I dont want to same much more as you have made the point perfectly.

Hey Charlie, if you have a moment would appreciate a private moment/call. EN has our contact details. I for one thank you for your love and work to EP. Enough said! Cx

Guys please ... calm down! We will all be banned again!

Eagleone, are you sure you're an Elvis fan? it's brake my hart when somebody like you talk about our men in such bad way, I think we're here to learn about Elvis world , not cirticise him that way.

I am not a big fan of Charlie Hodge. Met him a few times on meetings in Holland and can't say I like him. Neither do I like his singing on the Elvis records. Got no question for him.....

I met CH once and he was a jerk. Just another EP sycophant, an annoying little man who laughed too loudly and too often at unfunny things.