Being in a relationship with a celebrity can have its ups and downs, but what would you do when your boyfriend is the King of rock and roll? Linda Thompson, Elvis Presley’s ex-girlfriend, had a funny story to share.
Elvis and Linda when to see a movie back in 1975. Fans spotted the King, and they went crazy! Linda walks up to him and pranks the fans by saying, “Charlie, you’re not using that Elvis bit again, are you?” Which prompted the fans to leave.
Who is Linda Thompson?
Linda Diane Thompson was born on May 23, 1950, in Memphis, Tennessee. She is a songwriter, former actress, and beauty queen. She was known as the Hee Haw Honey of the Hee Haw variety show. Before marrying Bruce Jenner in 1981, she dated the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. (Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal)
How Did Linda Thompson Meet Elvis Presley?
After winning Miss Tennesse Universe, Thompson and one of her friends were invited to an event at a theater where Presley used to hold after-hour showings. She met Presley at that movie screening in Memphis.
The two flirted all night, and by the end of the evening, they took the relationship onto the next level. Presley wooed Thompson on the very first night they met. She mentioned the encounter in her book A Little Thing Called Life: On Loving Elvis Presley, Bruce Jenner, and Songs in Between, saying that she gave him her number on their first meeting and saw him again two weeks later when she came home from a family vacation. Presley arranged for her to travel to Las Vegas, and the rest was history. (Source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet)
Did Linda Thomson Meet Priscilla Presley?
It’s no secret that Presley cared about his ex-wife, Priscilla. Even after their divorce, they were still friends and treated each other well. When he started dating Thompson, he had conditions.
When Presley asked her to attend a parent conference with him, he wanted her to wait in the car. He also told her that she would be meeting his ex after and proceeded to prepare her for their encounter.
Honey, do me a favor. You’re probably going to meet Priscilla. Don’t wear all the rings and other jewelry I’ve given you because I never gave Priscilla that much jewelry. I gave her things, sure, but not nearly like I’ve showered you with gifts. I don’t want to make her feel bad.
Elvis Presley
Thompson adored Lisa Marie and Presley, and the last thing she wanted was to make Priscilla feel bad that she had just removed all the jewelry she was wearing. When Presley made the introduction, Priscilla was very kind and sweet. She even thanked Thompson for being nice to Lisa Marie. (Source: Showbiz Cheat Sheet)
Why Did They Break Up?
Thomson and Presley broke up in 1976. They ended the relationship because a normal life with Presley was not possible. The couple ended things on good terms and remained friends until his death on August 16, 1977.
In an interview with Larry King, Thomson described how it was to date the King of Rock and Roll.
Oh, no. He could never go to a regular movie. So he rented the Memphian Theater out after closing hours, and they would screen new movies.
There was one time were walking into the Memphian Theater and he was slightly ahead of me and someone came up to him and said, ‘Oh my God, look, it’s Elvis. You’re Elvis aren’t you?’ He said, ‘Well, yes, I am Elvis’ and they went crazy.
They wanted an autograph and a picture. As I walked up I said, ‘Charlie, you’re not using that Elvis bit again are you? Come on, you’re not telling these people that you’re Elvis again are you?’
I told the fans, ‘He gets it all the time and he’s always messing with people’. The fans said, ‘We knew you couldn’t really be Elvis’ and he replied, ‘But I am, tell ’em honey!’ I replied’, Come on Charlie, we’re late’.
Linda Thomson
(Source: Elvis Australia)