From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Tue Sep 23, 2003  1:27 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Marion Keisker

MARION KEISKER (By Shaun Mather)

Born 23 September 1917, Memphis, Tennessee
Died 29 December 1989, Memphis, Tennessee

Probably the most important secretary in the world. I know there's 
some people who think her role in the discovery of Elvis (and therefore 
the future of rock 'n' roll) has been overlooked, but I think the very 
fact that she's being covered on our BTBWY series shows that her role 
is appreciated. Let's face it, besides the Elvis episode, what else did 
she contribute. When others like Jack Clement left Sun they went on to 
careers in music elsewhere. If Marion Keisker was so instrumental, why 
didn't she find someone else, or set up her own studio in town. In my 
opinion she did what a good secretary should do - she looked after the 
boss's affairs when he was out of town and made a note of Elvis' 
address. 

Her conversation with Elvis during the first meeting, when he called in 
to record a record for his mother, is well documented. She recalled the 
moment thus : "It was a busy Saturday afternoon. The office was full of 
people wanting to make personal records. He came in, said he wanted to 
make a record. I told him he'd have to wait and he said OK. He sat 
down. While he was waiting, we had a conversation. He said he was a 
singer. I said, "What kind of singer are you?" He said, "I sing all 
kinds." I said,"Who do you sound like?" He said,"I don't sound like 
nobody.""

Allegedly, when Sam came across a new song, "Without You", it was 
Marion who suggested that he try that Elvis fella. It was an inspired 
thought and has ensured that she has forever maintained a place in the 
history books. 

Recommended listening, That's When Your Heartaches Begin and My 
Happiness -
Elvis.