Elvis confidante Lamar Fike dies

DALLAS - Lamar Fike, a member of Elvis Presley's famed inner circle called the "Memphis Mafia" who had a long career in the music industry, has died. He was 75.

Fike, who was suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, died Jan. 21, said his son, James Fike, 45, of Atlanta.

James Fike said his father held various roles with Presley, including lighting director, bodyguard and managing Presley's music publishing group. After Presley's death in 1977, Fike said that his father continued to work in the music business in Nashville, Tenn.

James Fike said that his father would recall when Presley and the "Memphis Mafia" would decide they needed a cheeseburger somewhere and hop on their plane to take them to whatever city they chose. - AP