suburude63 Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 This is something I got off the net for you guys! The Gibson J-185 story - or how I met Elvis In 1985 I called Gibson Guitar Company and spoke with Dave Berryman. I told him I had a Gibson guitar and would certainly appreciate it if he would let me have any information he had on it. He said he had just bought the company and there were trailers out back with all the documents from the previous owners. He would call me back when he had found something on my guitar. A few days later, he called me and told me he needed to know more about the guitar I owned: could I send him pictures ? I said I would, on the understanding that, when he re-issued that same model, I could have the first one built in the original case. He agreed. I made the pictures and sent them to Dave Berryman's Gibson Guitar Company. And I'm still waiting for that first reissue model. I know he did receive my pictures because he went ahead and re-issued the old model; but he got it wrong. If Dave Berryman had called me and talked first, I would have explained the crucial differences. I called his office in 2005 and he called me back . I spoke with him for some time and reminded him that I had called in 1985 and what transpired between him and me.I needed to make sure the history books record the facts about my guitar correctly, that I am the man that informed the Gibson Guitar Company about the j-185. I don't understand why Dave Berryman did not carry through with what he told me he would do. I would like still to own the first reissued j-185 just like he told me I would, including the label in the sound hole placed and printed exactly like the original j-185. What makes my guitar unique goes back to September 1956 when I received that beautiful instrument from the hands of Elvis, at Dewey Philip's house in Memphis, Tennessee. On that night my father had come home and asked if I wanted to see Elvis. I went with my father and my sister to Dewey Philip's home. My father parked out front on the right side of the street facing south. He told my sister to go with me, but she was scared. So, I went alone across the front yard and just as I was crossing it, a woman came by carrying a roast that smelled so good. I asked her where Elvis was and she pointed right at the door I was standing in front of. I thanked her. I went to the door and knocked. A man answered: it was actor Nick Adams. I asked for Elvis. Nick called out "Elvis, you have a visitor", and invited me in. Once inside, I was asked to have a seat on a couch facing the front door I just had entered. A few seconds later Elvis walked into the room with a doll named Nathalie Wood. She said "My, what a beautiful boy !" and Elvis said "He sure is", then sat down on the right of me on the couch, with Nathalie Wood on my left. Nick Adams sat at a dining table. I told Elvis I listened to his records and played my drum along with his music. He picked me up and placed me in his lap, grabbed a guitar, placed it over my chest, played and sang. Back then I listened to a lot of Jimmy Durante too, and as Elvis started to play "That's all right, momma", his first hit,.I told him like Jimmy Durante would say, to stop the music. Elvis said "What's the problem, little boy?" I told him "Play it like this". He moved the guitar and I started to knock out a beat on my knees. It was a lot faster and to me much better sounding. He placed the guitar back over my chest and played "That's all right, momma" at my speed - and the rest is history. When I left, Elvis gave me the guitar and a big hug. Nathalie Wood gave me a kiss right on the lips. The next night Elvis played in New York City, live on television, just at the speed I showed him. I have been offered fancy cars, farms, ranches, you name it, for Elvis's guitar. I wouldn't take anything for it, not even all the tea in China. Today, when I pick up this guitar and play, it reminds me of my father that night in Memphis, giving me one of the most remarkable memories of my life. Thank you very much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengin Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Great story. Did your Dad know Dewey Philips or how did he know he would be at that house that night. Does this mean you actually shaped rock n roll as the world knows it due to Elvis getting to meet you that night?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 What a great story. I suppose there's not much of a chance that we could talk you into bringing it to the Homecoming in June? I'd sure love to see that one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suburude63 Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 No No No ! I just found this story online and thought it would be a great story to share with you guys. I knew you would all appreciate it! Its incredible!Its is true! suburude Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guitarstrummer Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 OK, sorry about that. I just assumed that you were the one in the story. Sorry, I don't know how I got confused on that one. Old age, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengin Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I assumed it was you in the story, especially when 'you' kept referring to yourself as 'I'! Mind you, at one point I did wonder how after 120 posts you had never mentioned this before... Great story, but I guess you should edit in a clarification at the start of it: The Gibson J-185 story - or how I saw a story about a guy who met Elvis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TWilson Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I was thinking it was either your own personal story or that I wanted a bottle of whatever it was that you just drank! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jefleppard Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I was thinking it was either your own personal story or that I wanted a bottle of whatever it was that you just drank! it had a forest gump element to it, didn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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