IamA Elvis Presley's stepbrother, David E. Stanley, discusses sex, drugs and rock n' roll and the addiction that took Elvis' life far too soon. His new book, My Brother Elvis: The Final Years was released August 16th! AMA!

Did Elvis take a lot of drugs ?

Lots of prescription medications. He was up to 33 sleeping pills a night and 9 shots of Demerol just to go to sleep. He was prescribed 10,000 pills in the last 6 months of his life alone.

How do you feel about people who believe your brother is still alive and living with aliens or Tupac?

I would love to believe that, but unfortunately I was there and discovered his lifeless body on August 16, 1977.

Which actor do you think would be the best person to star in a movie about Elvis's life?

Miles Teller

Who did Elvis listen to at home? I heard Jackie Wilson was one of his main influences?

He loved Tom Jones. And of course the gospel quartets, The Stamps, The Imperials and Dottie Rambo, to name a few.

Are you also musically inclined? Do you have a favorite memory of playing music with or listening to your brother play?

I am a drummer! I was fortunate enough to play at many of Elvis' rehearsals. It was so cool jamming with the King!

Has the interest in Elvis diminished a bit as his audience has aged? If not the number of people, the intensity?

Not that I can see. His fan base is stronger than ever and their will always be those who love him no matter how much time goes by.

How did your brother influence your choices in life?

He influenced several areas of my life, especially in the entertainment business. He taught me to use caution and trust no one. Both he and Colonel Parker were great mentors, and I use much of what they taught me in my company today, Impello Entertainment.

What were the most difficult aspects about writing your stepbrother's biography?

Reliving the darkness of those times was tough and experiencing the motions of his tragic loss once again

Elvis wanted a serious acting career, and was made to turn down A Star Is Born, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Midnight Cowboy and others? Can you discuss his feelings (frustrations, ambitions) with his acting career?

The only film that I was aware of that he turned down was A Star is Born. He was very disappointed as he wanted to break out into a serious role.

How did Elvis get started with prescription medications and how did he feel about recreational drugs?

He started medications in the late 60's because of the stress of his schedule. 2 pills went to 4, 4 to 8, 6 to 8, and at the end of his life it was 33 pills a night.

That's incredible. How did he wake up from all of those?

He did up until August 16, 1977

There's been a lot of movies that depict Elvis in one way or the other.

Which depiction is your favorite?

Which is your least favorite?

Which do you think is most accurate?

And which do you think is the least accurate?

Elvis, starring Kurt Russell, is probably my favorite, but honestly I don't think any of them capture the reality and the greatness that Elvis truly was.

Elvis and the Beauty Queen is the least accurate in my opinion.

how crazy were Elvis's female fans?

any crazy stories stick out in your head that you could share?

His female fans were beyond crazy! He would come out on stage and 500 young ladies would rush the stage and 5 min later 500 old ladies would rush the stage. It was constant pandemonium.

A female fan once mailed herself to Graceland in a box!

did she at least poke some breathing holes in the cardboard?

yes she did actually! it was quite funny!

What's it like upstairs at Graceland?

Dark. It was Elvis man cave where he went to escape the world. He had tin foil over the windows to keep the light out--and it was always freezing cold as the excessive medications made him hot.

What's your take on Elvis impersonators?

I think their cool. But when they think their Elvis, I draw the line

Elvis was known to be fairly controversial, being a sex symbol and shaking his hips on stage in a very prim and proper time. How well did he handle that type of controversy? What was his attitude like towards naysayers? Do you have any memories of people that were particularly negative to Elvis or yourself surrounding said controversy?

He was fiercely loyal to his fans and thought the Beatles were more damaging to youngsters than his hips. He was surrounded by constant adoration that most often drowned out any naysayers.

How did you feel about people's loving reactions to your brother's death? Did it make you realise how loved he was?

Oh yes. There were tens of thousands of people who came to Graceland to mourn him--it was a worldwide outpouring of love. In my talks throughout the country, people are always sharing with me how much they loved Elvis and how much he meant to them personally. It makes me proud to have been a part of his family.

How was the relationship between you and your stepbrother?

We were close--we trusted each other and loved each other. I spent 17 years of my life with him--he was the greatest brother a kid could ever ask for.

What do you think about Elvis in 'Lilo and Stitch'?

Great introduction of Elvis to the kids!

Did Elvis ever acknowledge his own substance abuse and the risks with it?

No. He denied it and that is what cost him his life.

If there is one little-known fact about Elvis that you want people to know, what is it?

He gave away more than he kept. He was the most generous person I've ever met.

Who else is still alive that was a part of Elvis' inner circle?

My brothers Billy and Ricky, Sonny West, Red West, Joe Esposito, Jerry Schilling, Billy Smith, Marty Lacker, Al Strata, and a few others.

Are you or were you close to Lisa Marie? Did she ever bring Micheal Jackson to any family gatherings and if so, how was it? I just can't imagine them being a regular couple chillin' with the fam.

I helped raise Lisa Marie until she was 9 years old, but was not a part of any family gatherings involving Michael.

can you confirm elvis died on the toilet?

Yes, he was sitting on the toilet reading when he died and fell to the floor.

What do you think of his depiction in Forrest Gump?

I thought it was cool--what a great tribute! The guy who played Elvis in Forrest Gump, also played Elvis in my film, Protecting the King.

What was Tom Parker like personally?

He was business, business, business. But as kid growing up, he was like my uncle--alwasy giving me stuff from RCA such as TV's, radios, etc.

What did your brother think of rock'n'roll as it progressed through the years? Just wondering if he listened to all the new stuff. Thanks!

Also, thanks for doing all this, and writing the book! I'm gonna go listen to Live in Las Vegas now.

He thought it had come a long way from when he started doing it, but he wasn't a big fan of the rock music of the 60's and 70's.

What was a simple, everyday hobby that Elvis really enjoyed?

He was a master Kenpo karate enthusiast and taught me everything i know about the sport.

How are ya?

fantastic my friend

Would Elvis embrace social media? If not- why do you think that.

Social media would have been Elvis' downfall--image was everything to him.

This might sound weird, but do you know if Elvis liked James Bond movies? If so, which was his favorite?

He loved James Bond! Gold Finger was his favorite. Loved Dr. No too

Did Elvis ever listen to Black Sabbath?

Not that I'm aware of.

What was your writing process like? Did you have to do a lot of outside research?

It was quite simple actually, as I wrote from personal experience. Since it is my story of the time I spent with him on tour, no outside research was necessary.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time on tour?

Sitting backstage with George Harrison during the 1972 concerts at Madison Square Gardens in NYC--it was my first of over 1000 concerts with Elvis and one of the most memorable.

How was Elvis "discovered" musically?

He was discovered by Sam Phillips at Sun records in Memphis TN. He had gone into the studio to do a song for his mom's birthday, and the rest is history!

What do you think about the Johnny Cash-Elvis Presley "rivalry" ? I think they're both great musicians and they both deserve respect, and also they're the kings of rock!

I think they're both great as well, but I wouldn't consider Johnny Cash a rock artist. In my opinion he dominated the country field.

Do you plan to make a movie from your new book?

Yes. It's currently in pre-production!

I saw some film clips on your Facebook fan page. Where did they come from?

From a film I did in 2007 entitled, Protecting the King. It's available on Amazon and iTunes.

What's something the average person wouldn't know about Elvis?

He was the most generous person you'll ever meet. He gave away more than he kept.

Were you in his Will?

I'm not insinuating anything negative, just wondering what Elvis did to make sure people around him were taken care of after he was gone.

Elvis left his entire estate to his daughter, Lisa Marie as he should have.

Can you confirm Elvis' favourite food?

bacon, eggs and beef!

What of his songs are you sick and tired of? Which one could you listen to any day and any time?

I can listen to Jailhouse Rock any day any time. Burning Love on the other hand just didn't do it for me.

Are you still an ex-evangelist? How has that journey been?

Yes, I am a former evangelist, but my brother Ricky is still currently in the ministry. I've transitioned into inspirational and motivational speaking, yet always interjecting my faith.

Did you keep in touch with Ginger Alden?

No I didn't.

How do you feel about peanut butter sandwiches?

delicious

why 39yrs after his death instead of an even 40?

film is in pre-production and we are hoping to have out for the 40th

Ever get to know Nicholas Cage?

No i didn't, but I am a fan.

What would you most like to tell us about Elvis?

He was the most generous person I've ever known. While his gift was singing and entertaining people, his greatest gift was in fact his generosity.

What was your favorite memory as his drummer? Any certain shows stuck out in your mind?

Drumming with the King himself at rehearsals

I have a couple of questions:

1. Who was/is the older stepbrother?
2. I read that you played drums at some of Elvis's sessions. Did he help peek your interest in music or did that come on its own?

Billy Stanley is the oldest. And yes, Elvis was an early musical inspiration for me.

Ever heard of a friend of Elvis named Joyce McQueen? A short blond w I think polio

I do remember her.  Elvis was always kind to the disabled.  He had a very soft space in his heart for her.

As a musician I would love to know if you knew if he had a favourite, or odd, instrument/peice of gear he loved or used more than anything else?

He had a D28 Martin Guitar that he loved and used during that last several concert years of his life.

Did he ever have one possession that he prized above all?

his plane the Lisa Marie

Did you ever ride in Elvis' 1970 Blackhawk Stutz?

many times

did you have much contact with michael jackson? how was he?

none

So you're making money off of your dead stepbrothers legacy?

that's one way to look at it I suppose. I see it as I'm sharing my story of my life with my stepbrother. In the spirit of Elvis' giving nature, we've started a foundation to assist in the fight against prescription drug addiction and a part of the proceeds from this project are being used to fund the foundation.