Uncle Jimmy and Elvis: The Fife Postie & His Rock’n’Roll Tales

Kennoway, located near Leven in Fife, Scotland has a population of 4,500 hardy straight-talking Fifers. A former weaving and shoe making village which, during the last century gained prosperity through its links to the brewing and malting industries. Birthplace to the former East Fife footballer and First Minister of Scotland, Henry McLeish and Allan Brown, capped fourteen times by Scotland in a successful football playing and managerial career.

Tupelo, Mississippi USA, has a population of 38,000 friendly and hospitable Mississippians. It was previously considered the hub of the American furniture making industry. A cultural and artistic hub famed for its museums and musical heritage. Birthplace to Elvis Aaron Presley.

James McNally (uncle Jimmy) was born in 1944 in Windygates, a small village neighbouring Kennoway. Jimmy’s love of music followed a similar path to my own. Upon hearing rock ‘n’ roll as a child his path in life was set to music, a passion and obsession he still holds as he enters his eightieth year.

However, aged eleven a seismic event happened in front of his very eyes as he played cards with younger brother John. The television flickered to the sights and sounds of 1956 as the ‘Six-Five Special’ ruptured the air of the living room. Jimmy acutely remembers the intense feeling of exhilaration as ‘the most striking man I’d ever seen’ exclaimed “Well there’s a leak in this old building, yes, there’s a leak in this old building“. His voice arresting every sense in Jimmy’s body as Elvis Presley sang We’re Gonna Move. Without any hint of exaggeration, this moment changed Jimmy. Not only his life, but the way he felt and thought.

As 1956 progressed Jimmy pestered his mum on shopping trips as he bought every magazine, record and newspaper article (which he still has) about his recently discovered hero. His favourite destination was the ‘Regent’ and ‘Troxy’ cinemas in Leven to watch Elvis in celluloid as many times as he could. This musical passion didn’t only include Elvis. Jimmy eagerly snaffled any record by Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, etc.  Little did young Jimmy know he’d meet most of his rock ‘n’ roll idols as the years tumbled by.

Jimmy started working after leaving Kennoway Secondary School aged 15. He soon joined the Royal Mail as a postie, where he served the Leven area with distinction for 35 years prior to retirement. I don’t need to tell you what he spent most of his wages on. Records and concerts obviously! He saw everyone, and when I say everyone, think of any 50’s and 60’s rock ‘n’ roll star and Jimmy saw them. Travelling to every Glasgow and Edinburgh (and further afield) concert hall imaginable, immersing himself in the music he loved so dearly.

He had joined the Elvis Fan Club in 1956. Saving as much as he could from his weekly wage to fulfil his dream. To see his hero in America.

In 1973, with the financial means now in place, he set off on his first (of many) trips to America with the fan club. Upon arrival in Las Vegas, Jimmy immediately joined a three hour queue to buy tickets for the Elvis show in the Hilton. Elvis was playing a series of dates in residency in the hotel, with an evening 8pm show and a later show at midnight, every night. $8 secured you a meal and a seat for his 8pm show. $4 for the midnight show and drink. Jimmy’s dream was realised. He watched Elvis perform. Not just this night, no that wasn’t enough for Jimmy, he saw eleven shows that week. Every single night, the 8pm and midnight show, including an additional 2am charity show Elvis played.

You may be wondering how Jimmy secured tickets for every show during his 5 day Las Vegas stay. Well, the ever irrepressible Jimmy discovered on the second night there was an easier way to avoid a three hour procession of Elvis fans all desperate for tickets. He saw a well-dressed guy standing at the boxing ring in the hotel. Jimmy started chatting to him and discovered this fellow received all the cancellation tickets every night. All Jimmy had to do was return to the boxing ring nightly. No one else appeared to know about this queue avoidance technique. Jimmy received tickets every night, strolling into the arena ten minutes after leaving his room. (On his return to Scotland Jimmy wrote to the Hilton to pass on his thanks to ‘Boxing Ring’ guy and received a personal letter in return).

Yet, was this enough for our bold champion? Of course not. He remembers vividly as young teenager being asked what his dream was. “Easy, meeting Elvis Presley”. No one believed this would ever happen. Jimmy the postie from Kennoway, meeting The King? Aye Jimmy, whatever. Jimmy didn’t just believe. He was convinced.

On Jimmy’s second day in Vegas his dream was set in motion. Seeing Colonel Tom Parker playing the slot machines in the hotel Jimmy approached him. Parker, dressed in a cap and casual clothes (similar to his attire at Elvis’s funeral) was interrupted by a Fife accent, introducing himself, Jimmy enquired if it would be possible to meet Elvis. Without hesitation Parker said, come to the stage door at 8pm tomorrow and knock. That was it.

The time had arrived for Jimmy. This moment he knew would happen. Knocking on the stage door he explained who he was and why he was there. ‘Hello, I’m Jimmy, Mr. Parker told me I was invited to meet Elvis’. That’s all it took. Immediately gaining access backstage he was met by a man introducing himself as Ed (we will return to Ed later) and led to an office where Col. Parker was sitting. He looked up at Jimmy and beckoned him inside, saying, “I’d not forgotten”. Parker chatted with Jimmy, thanking him for this opportunity.

Ed told Jimmy to stay close as they made their way along a corridor into a tunnel, leading to the stage, next to an elevator door. Suddenly a devastatingly handsome, quiet spoken man, dressed in a white jumpsuit appeared standing next to Jimmy. He immediately shook Jimmy’s hand thanking him for coming to the show. Asking him where he’d traveled from, what Jimmy did for a living, Elvis chatted easily. Joined by Todd Slaughter (from Poole, Todd ran the Official Elvis Fan Club in the UK) who was there to present Elvis with an award on behalf of the NME. Jimmy stayed by Elvis’ side as the award was presented and photos were taken. At this time there was a strict ‘no camera’ policy in the venue, with the exclusion of press and official photographers. Do you think for one second Jimmy was going to adhere to this rule? Of course not.

He’d smuggled his own camera in, there was not a snowball’s chance in hell Jimmy wasn’t getting a photo with Elvis. Jimmy moved past Sonny West and Charlie Hodge (Elvis’ trusted friends and security) and asked Ed if he could take a few photos of him with Elvis. Jimmy proceeded to explain how his camera worked and what to do. Ed, was Ed Bonja, professional photographer. He produced the most famous photographs of Elvis, including many album covers, publishing numerous books and was Elvis’ personal photographer at this time. To his credit, he didn’t mention this to Jimmy and nodded as the workings of a camera were explained to him by a Fifer.

The photographs he took of Jimmy with Elvis appeared in the NME, the East Fife Mail, Elvis Monthly and other publications.

Jimmy was by Elvis’ side until he was ushered into the elevator to take him onto stage. Our hero had met his hero. Captured for immortality on film. He told us he’d achieve his dream. The eleven year old inside him burst with pride.

Jimmy has photographs of himself with Col. Parker (who Jimmy said, contrary to belief, was nothing but friendly, gracious and true to his word. Fifers take folk as we find them), and a raft of photographs with his arm around Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana and all Elvis’ backing band. These weren’t merely a quick photo. Jimmy chatted with them and spent time in their company. He also met Tom Diskin (Road Manager) and the accompanying entourage. Can you imagine any of this happening nowadays. Access to these great musicians and people written into the Elvis story.

Jimmy returned to see Elvis in Las Vegas again in 1975. During one of these shows Elvis asked for a chair before singing his next song. This was unusual. Suddenly mid song the curtains were dropped and the audience ushered out. Elvis had collapsed and all further shows were cancelled.

In 1977 Jimmy again visited the States, seeing Elvis in the Riverside Colosseum, Cincinnati, regarded by many as one of his finest shows. This show was filmed for the CBS movie ‘This Is Elvis’. You’ll be unsurprised to know Jimmy appears in the film twice.

Jimmy then travelled overnight to Indianapolis to the Market Square Arena to see Elvis again perform. This was June 26th, 1977. This date and the venue of this show may be familiar to you. It was the last time Elvis performed live before his untimely death. Jimmy was there. The King’s last ever public appearance. Jimmy recalls it being one of the greatest performances Elvis had ever given but at the time clearly not appreciating the significance of this historic show.

Jimmy was in Kennoway when he heard the news. There’s only one word to describe the impact it had on him. Devastated.

During this period Jimmy visited Tupelo, Elvis’ birthplace. While there he met Mrs Oleta Grimes. She was Elvis’ favourite teacher at East Tupelo Consolated School. She recalled him as bright but withdrawn. She invited him to sing in class and immediately whisked him to the Principal’s office to sing in front of him. She’d spotted his talent. However, she recalled the music teacher was not as impressed, describing his musical talent as ‘average’. Whilst travelling around Tupelo he chatted to a lady on the bus. During the chat it transpired she was friends with Gladys Presley (Elvis’ mother), and went to school with Johnny (Tarzan) Weissmuller. When she heard Jimmy was travelling to Los Angeles shouted, “if you see Johnny tell him I’m asking for him” as she disembarked.

Graceland was no stranger to Jimmy’s adventures. On one occasion the house was closed to visitors due to vandalism. Undeterred Jimmy left his hotel at midnight to ‘chance his arm’ taking a taxi to the gates. There were a few fans milling around outside desperately disappointed they couldn’t take photos. Jimmy, ever resourceful, climbed the wall and took their cameras snapping pictures of the house. Then, and if there was ever a quintessential ‘Jimmy’ story, it’s this.

He decided to knock on the gate. Met by David and Ricky Stanley, Elvis’ step brothers and Graceland security, Jimmy asked if there was any chance of a midnight tour of the grounds. If you don’t ask you don’t get. They replied, hang on we’ll ask Harold in the gatehouse. Harold was Harold Loyd (yes, he was apparently named after the silent movie star), Elvis’ cousin. Harold chatted to Jimmy as he opened the famous gates and in Jimmy strolled. Graceland to himself. He recalls making his way to the porch and sitting on Elvis’ rocking chair, rather pleased with himself.

Again, on another visit to Graceland Jimmy recognised Travis Smith, Elvis’ uncle, and Vester Presley, another uncle. They were driving around the grounds in a golf buggy. Jimmy flagged them down and asked if he could join them. They agreed and Jimmy proceeded to enjoy a chauffeur-driven tour of the grounds, perched on the buggy, while they all merrily chatted!

Jimmy fondly recollects his time with the ‘Memphis Mafia’. He describes them all as incredibly friendly, chatty and welcoming. I suspect Jimmy is doing himself a slight disservice. His own personality invites strangers to interact with him, trust him, and warm to his easy nature.

The exploits of the Kennoway postie were not merely confined to the Presley family and friends. Not a chance.

Travelling down south to attend a show by another of his idols, Little Richard, Jimmy went to the stage door to speak with him. During the conversation he bemoaned the fact Richard had never appeared in Scotland. Little Richard replied, “Man, no one has ever asked me!”

Other brushes with the stars included meeting Jerry Allison, Joe B. Maudlin, Sonny Curtis and Jerry Naylor. These iconic musicians were Buddy Holly’s Crickets. Spending time with Scotty Moore and Jackie Wilson along with Dick Clark (American Bandstand fame). On one occasion he met Jerry Lee Lewis outside the hall he was due to appear that evening. Jimmy asked if he wanted any help. Jerry handed him his guitar case and Jimmy accompanied the ‘The Killer’ into the hall with the guitar in tow.

These exploits and adventures brought Jimmy to the notice of the papers. Cuttings with headlines ‘Postie Jimmy is Presley’s Top Fan’ and ‘Kennoway Man Was At Elvis’ Last Concert’ are stored in a suitcase at his home. His collection of memorabilia, including Elvis’ autograph, are pure treasure.

As Jimmy sat surrounded by his family and friends at his 80th birthday celebration his memory sparked into life. There are additional stories of his visits to New York, at a time it wasn’t the tourist friendly Mecca is it now. He befriended a dancer who was walking home and he accompanied her to her house in Harlem. The next day he mentioned to the hotel manager where he’d been the night before. Aghast, the manager told Jimmy he was lucky he’d returned in one piece. Surprised, Jimmy replied “that’s a pity, I’ve been invited to party there tonight!”

Grateful for the opportunity to capture his tales. A life inspired by ‘The King’ and his legacy. A dream turning into a reality. A man content with his life. As I began speaking to him about this article Jimmy remarked, “Colin, no one will be interested in any of this.” Well, hopefully I can tell him that’s not the case.

As I wrapped up our conversation allowing him to return to his birthday party, a couple of thoughts struck me. Always meet your heroes. Take people as you find them. And I’ll leave the last words to Jimmy himself, “see if you don’t ask Colin, you don’t get.”