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Diamond Joe Esposito Nov 2, 2001 - © June Moore Joe Esposito was born in Chicago in 1938. Elvis and Joe met in 1959 while they were both serving in the U.S. Army. While there, they were in basic training together in For Hood,Texas but never really met. It was not until they were stationed together in West Germany that they would meet and form a bond that would last until the day Elvis died. For the next 17 years, until his death in 1977, Joe saw to every detail of Elvis' life, both professionally and personally. Joe was part of the Memphis Mafia and was given the nickname, "Diamond Joe," by Elvis, who also gave him his martial arts nickname, "Lion." Joe appeared with Elvis in “Kissin’ Cousins,” “Clambake,” and “Stay Away, Joe.” Joe and Marty Lacker both served as Elvis' best men at his wedding on May 1, 1967. Joe's wife Joan was Priscilla's Matron of Honor.Joe and Joan were both on the receiving end of Elvis' generosity, as he bought both of them Cadillac convertibles. Joe drove the backup car to the hospital the day Lisa Marie way born. Joe had such varied jobs as playing guitar or percussion on several of Elvis recordings It was Joe who performed CPR on Elvis on August 16, 1977 until the paramedics arrived. Joes been a consultant on both movies and docudramas including, “This is Elvis” made in 1981 in which he portrayed himself. In 1982 Joe launched “The Sterling Coach Company” a limousine company in Los Angeles. A few of the other highlights of Joe’s diversified career include that of being a road manager for the Bee Gees, John Denver and the Carpenters. He also sang duet with Donna Summer on the recording “Heaven Knows. In 1987 he worked on Michael Jackson’s “Bad “ tour. Joe is a very busy man today as a public speaker and is working on a feature documentary on George Barris -- the “Kustom Kar King,” who built custom cars for James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, Dean Maring, Madonna, all the Beatles and Elvis. He's written two books. In "Good Rockin Tonight” he talks about being on the road with Elvis. His second book, “Intimate and Rare” is a collection of Joe’s personal photos taken during the 17 years he spent with Elvis. They can't be found in book stores but are available through Elvis International Magazine (my favorite magazine) at (818)991-3892. The copyright of the article Diamond Joe Esposito in Elvis Presley is owned by June Moore. Permission to republish Diamond Joe Esposito in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.