Music fans were recently surprised to discover that two of the biggest names in the music business during that era shared a surprising connection. During a recent interview with BBC Radio, former 70s teen idol Donny Osmond revealed that the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, and his mother, Olive Osmond, shared a special friendship.
It is no secret to Elvis Presley fans that the late music icon had a very special, close relationship with his mother, Gladys Presley. Author Eric Wolfson wrote in the book From Elvis in Memphis that Gladys Presley’s death in 1958 left the singer heartbroken and grieving throughout his life, according to Showbiz Cheat Sheet.
Donny Osmond Reveals Elvis Presley’s Connection To His Mother
The death left a void in Presley’s life that he was unable to fill. However, according to Donny Osmond, Elvis and his mother, Olive, formed quite a friendship after frequently meeting in Las Vegas during the 70s. It seems that Olive Osmond and the late Gladys Presley shared many of the same qualities that Elvis had adored and so desperately missed in his own mother.
During the BBC interview, Donny shares, unknown to the Osmond Brothers, that during their Las Vegas shows, Elvis often showed up to spend time talking with their parents, George and Olive. Per Parade Magazine, “Elvis was particularly interested in talking to our parents, and he especially loved meeting my mother, Olive, and gave her a big hug,” the late Alan Osmond recalled. “Elvis mentioned to her how much he missed his mother, who had passed away.”
The website also adds that Olive and Elvis were said to have spent most of their time discussing spirituality, one of the musicians’ favorite topics.
Elvis Presley Once Called the Osmond Family Home to Speak to Olive
Donny admitted that the family really didn’t put much thought into the fact that Elvis and their mother shared a bond, and they laughed about a time Elvis phoned their Utah home to speak to his mother. Donny elaborated, saying, “Elvis would love to talk to my mom all the time. She reminded him of his mom.”
“And so one day, he called the house,” Donny continued. “And the phone rang, and my brother Alan picked up and said, ‘Hello!’ And he heard, ‘Is your mother there?’”
“He said, ‘Yeah, who’s calling?’ [Presley responded], ‘Oh, this is Elvis.’ And he didn’t put two and two together,” Osmond added. Laughing Donny recalls Alan calling out to his mother saying,” “Mom, some guy named Elvis is on the phone for you!’
Elvis Presley’s Advice Helped Shape Donny Osmond’s Career
Later in the interview, People Magazine adds that Donny also shared that, at 14, he recalled one of the most influential pieces of advice Elvis had given him at the time.
‘If I could do it all over again, I’d get closer to my fans.’” Elvis stated. “And it really, really influenced me that a guy this big, you know, the King of Rock and Roll, says he wishes he could get closer to his fans ‘cause he was so isolated. That’s one of the reasons why I do it, because that came from the King,” Osmond added.
These days, fans can still find Donny Osmond performing for sold-out crowds in a high-energy, 90-minute solo show at Harrah’s Las Vegas. His show covers his six-decade career and features hits from his 65 albums. Fans can also see Donny perform a digital co-star performance with his 14-year-old self and enjoy the fan-favorite nightly audience-led request segment.
Joann covers high-profile industry features, investigative entertainment stories, and long-form trending media profiles. She has 15 years of experience in the online news vertical.
