Joy Byers Died
Her official obituary in Gallatin listed her as Joyce Elene Johnston, but as Joy Byers or J. Byers, she was a prolific pop and country songwriter. Byers died at age 82 on May 10.
Her copyrights include “What’s A Matter Baby,” a 1962 pop hit for Timi Yuro, as well as Brenda Lee’s 1964 pop single “When You Loved Me,” “Wishing It Was You” by Connie Francis in 1965 and the novelty “Ring Dang Doo’ by Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs in 1966.
Byers is perhaps best remembered as the writer of the Elvis Presley 1964 hit “It Hurts Me.” She went on to write or co-write 16 songs for Presley’s movies, including the charted “Please Don’t Stop Loving Me’ (1966) and “Let Yourself Go” (1968). Her country top-10 hits included “Gardenias in Her Hair” by Marty Robbins in 1967, “Here Comes Heaven” by Eddy Arnold in 1968 and “I Can’t Say Goodbye” by Marty Robbins in 1969.
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Elvis Guns Set New Auction Record
People still want a genuine piece of Elvis as auction attendees took care of business and picked up a pair of wheel guns formerly owned by The King for all-time highs last week.
Rock Island Auction Company sold the Elvis memorabilia during their premiere firearms auction last weekend with an embellished Smith & Wesson Model 19-2 bringing $195,500 and a Colt Python hitting the gavel at $172,500. RIA said each price is a world record for its respective model.
The Python, also a .357, was expected to bring $125-175K and went for $172,500.
“We had high hopes for these incredible firearms, and our collectors did not let us down,” said RIAC President Kevin Hogan in a statement. Half an hour before Elvis’ items sold, there wasn’t a seat to be had in our auction hall. It was absolutely electric with anticipation.”
According to the auction house, Elvis bought the revolvers in 1970 from a Beverly Hills sporting goods store before sending them to Germany to be elaborately decorated. One was presented to Vice President Spiro Agnew as a gift but was returned a short time later while Agnew was being investigated for corruption.
A diamond and ruby studded Shelby County sheriff’s badge, also owned by Elvis, went in a separate lot.
(Kino Lorber Studio on Facebook / Elvis Information Network / FECC)