MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
It's Elvis Week, so people from all over the world are in Memphis to celebrate, including one very special guest.
Elvis’s former bodyguard, Dave Hebler, is in town for the first time in decades to share some of his fondest memories with the King of Rock 'n' Roll.
"Some of what you think you know is sort of true,” Hebler said. "And some of it is flat out false.”
For the first time in 47 years, Hebler walked into the Memphian Theater, now called the Circuit Playhouse. Playhouse executive director Michael Detroit was excited to bring Hebler back this year for Elvis Week.
"He's going to be telling stories perhaps that people are already aware of but adding additional information because he had a personal relationship,” Detroit said.
Elvis spent countless late nights at the Memphian.
"The Memphian was a very, very important part of Elvis' life,” Hebler said.
It was a place where Elvis could relax and watch movies with his friends.
"I remember the Peter Sellers movies," Hebler recalled. "He liked that. Everybody sat behind him. Well, except for his girlfriend.”
Hebler is a 10th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate. He said using his skills to protect Elvis was no easy task.
"It was the worst job on the face of the planet," Hebler said. "I mean, think about it. Everywhere we went, there were hundreds of love-starved women just doing their best to try to get next to Elvis."
Hebler said his time as a bodyguard and a personal Karate instructor for Elvis was a once in a lifetime experience though.
"I have such great memories,” Hebler said.
Hebler and Playhouse are proud to be a part of honoring Elvis's life and keeping his legacy alive.
"Elvis really enriches the arts here in Memphis that will create a better place for us to live, work, play and create,” Detroit said.
Hebler is hosting a series called “Memphian Memories with Dave Hebler” at Circuit Playhouse starting Monday, Aug. 12, through Friday, Aug. 16. He will tell his stories about Elvis, meet with fans and answer their questions.
The sessions are two hours long, beginning every day at 10 a.m., with Tuesday featuring a second session at 1 p.m. Tickets are $45 each.