Otto: Bob, many thanks for taking the time to do this interview. First of all, please tell us something about yourself. When and how you became an Elvis fan. Your favorite song's and movies? When did you first see Elvis in Concert? When you took your first photograph.

Bob Heis: "I'm honored you asked me to be the subject for your interview. Actually, it's a real pleasure to speak with you. I was thirteen or fourteen years old when Elvis first burst upon the scene. I was already into Rock and Roll music by then, listening to many of the black entertainers, as well as Bill Haley, Rusty Draper and others. Elvis had a few records out on Sun label at that time, but I hadn't heard much about him. It wasn't until Colonel Parker struck a deal with RCA that I became an Elvis fan."

"You ain't nothing but a Hound Dog," became a catch phrase at the time and I became an Elvis fan."

"My favorite song? Realistically I have two. I like them both equally as well. "The Fair Is Moving On", from the 1970 LP titled; "Back In Memphis" and "Life", from one of the 1971 LP's titled; "Love Letters From Elvis."

"I took my very first Elvis photograph in Cincinnati, Ohio on November 11, 1971. This was my first opportunity to see Elvis in concert."

Otto: How difficult was it to photograph Elvis in concert?

Bob Heis: "Shooting photographs of The King In Concert was not difficult at all. Those days, in concert photography wasn't as forbidden as it is today. In addition, Colonel Parker had a rule concerning the fans. He pretty much let us do as we pleased as long as we didn't interfere with the performance. His philosophy was; "Don't bother the fans. They are who put us where we are today."

"On the other hand, the hard part of taking concert photographs was getting the seats necessary to insure good quality. The seats of choice were somewhere within the first five rows on the floor. Not always easy to get. Those of us who are known for our photography of Elvis had several tricks up our sleeve. One being, many days and hours on line to get tickets."

Otto: Once seated, did you stay there or did you move about the auditorium?

Bob Heis: "Once the concert started, we stayed in our seats. What we did before Elvis appeared is another story. If I absolutely could not get good tickets for seats, during intermission I would roam down around the front rows, looking for women who had small children. If I found one, I would promise her one of every photograph I shot that night, for free, if she would hold her child on her lap and allow me to occupy the child's seat. Many times, I was able to strike a deal."

Otto: All your photographs of Elvis seem to be in color. Did you ever use black and white film?

Bob Heis: "One time. It was in Pittsburgh, PA on New Years Eve 1976. After shooting several rolls of color, I decided to use a roll of B/W film I had in my bag. The quality of the pictures is excellent, the beauty is lost to black and white. I never used B/W film again."

Otto: Did you ever take photographs of other entertainers?

Bob Heis: "Sure! Many will be shocked to know my next favorite Rock and Roll stars would be KISS. Elvis and Kiss, what a difference in talent. Anyway, I have excellent photographs of KISS I shot in Cincinnati back in 1978, long before they split up. In addition, I have taken photographs of Tom Jones, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Neil Diamond, Lou Christie and others."

Otto: KISS! How did that happen?

Bob Heis: "When KISS first burst upon the scene, most of their fans were young children. Parents couldn't send their son's and daughter's to a hard rock concert with out accompanying them as chaperone. My daughter was a KISS fanatic. I took her to many of their concerts. It's hard to go to so many performances of anyone without finding something you like."

Otto: How many Elvis concerts have you attended?

Bob Heis: "Forty nine. My first in Cincinnati, OH on November 11, 1971. My last on June 26, 1977 (Elvis' last performance)."

Otto: Did you photograph every show? Or were there any you attended without a camera?

Bob Heis: "In the early days, my concert photography was limited to a snapshot now and them. Mostly, during that time, I had a super-8 movie camera glued to my face. I have many hours of excellent silent movie footage to my credit. It wasn't until 1974 that I began to learn how to take great concert photographs. You may be surprised to know, I was taught how to take professional photographs over the telephone. Another well known Elvis photographer (George Hill) taught me during a long distance conversation. By this time, shooting movies was becoming forbidden and harder to do. But still photography was still being allowed."

"Ha, Ha. There was one concert I attended in Indianapolis, IN when Elvis wore the very beautiful Peacock Jumpsuit. I had decided just prior to entering the building to leave my camera in the trunk of the car. To enjoy the show without being bothered the hassle of taking pictures. I never made that mistake again."

Otto: Is there a show you consider special?

Bob Heis: There can never be a concert more special than the first one. In my case, it became even more special because Elvis wore the black Shooting Starburst Jumpsuit. It seem's white jumpsuit's would forever follow with very few exceptions."

"But, yes. There were other concerts I considered special. In New York, June 1972 at Madison Square Garden, four Elvis concerts (of which I attended three and got an autograph thanks to the shows producer; Mr. Jerry Weintraub, chief of Concerts West). In Pontiac, Michigan (the stage was built like a cake on the fifty yard line of this huge stadium) and Pittsburgh, PA, both New Year's Eve concerts. Special too was the memorable concert Elvis performed at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, IN on June 26, 1977. It turned out to be his last concert ever."

Otto: Did you ever meet Elvis personally? Did you speak with him? Are you friends with any of Elvis' friends known as The Memphis Mafia?

Bob Heis: At the time I got my autograph, I didn't have the opportunity to meet with Elvis personally. I gave Jerry Weintraub two eight by ten color photographs to take backstage for Elvis to sign. One was for Elvis, one was for me. On the back of one of the photographs I had written a note. "Sing Polk Salad Annie for me Elvis," I asked. Jerry took the photographs backstage and soon returned with one of them signed; "To Bob, Best Wishes, Elvis Presley." I was very excited, and at the same time, I wondered if Elvis had actually signed it."

"Imagine my surprise when during the concert, Elvis looked up and said to his band; "Take it on!" Then he looked towards the audience and said; "Ok Bob," just before the first notes of Polk Salad Annie filled the air." If you listen to the LP titled; "Elvis Live At Madison Square Garden," you can hear this for yourself."

"There were other concerts however, where I actually did have the opportunity to speak with him personally. At stage side, during the concert, and I am fortunate other photographers chose the occasion to take photographs of me shaking the hand of the man I had grown to love so much."

"Friends, with the Memphis Mafia? Actually, this is a hard question to answer as I certainly do not want to mislead anyone. After Elvis passed away, I traveled all over the US, attending many of the Elvis Conventions held on a weekly basis in one city or another. During this time, I became friends with Dick Grob, Elvis' chief of Security. Billy Smith, Elvis' cousin. George Klein, close friend to Elvis and Memphis DJ. I'd like to include Larry Gellar here too. But while I consider all of them my friend, its not like we are run around buddies. If anything, we all share a certain amount of respect for each other."

Otto: Well, it seems all your photographs are from concert tours. This means that you didn't attend any concerts in Las Vegas or Lake Tahoe? I have heard that legal photography of the Elvis Presley Show was prohibited in these venues, is this true?

Bob Heis: "It's true, I never attended any of the casino concerts. Legal photography there? Having never been there, I can't speak on this."

Otto: I'm certain you must have many nice memories from Elvis concerts you attended. Is there a special moment, something funny and or interesting you would care to share with us?

Bob Heis: "My special moment was getting the autograph and song dedication from Elvis at Madison Square Garden. In addition, Elvis picked my daughter from the audience and personally gave her two of his scarves during concerts in Uniondale, NY, 1973. These incidents lead to many more special moments that I have captured on film. Moments when other members of the audience were singled out for a kiss, a scarf, a handshake or a hug from The King Of Rock n' Roll. It's to bad these fans will never have a picture of their audience with Elvis. I've many photos of such special times and yet, I don't know who the people are, to give them a copy."

Otto: In his "Elvis On Stage" book. Mr. Alverson mentioned that he had problems with Colonel Parker. It seems The Colonel wasn't happy with Keith's photography of Elvis. Even tried to prevent it somewhat. Did you have such negative experience with him or from someone within Elvis' security?

Bob Heis: "I only had one negative experience with The Colonel. This came after Elvis' death in 1978. During the concert years, I openly shot photographs without incident. My only problem with Elvis' security was in 1973 through 1977, whenever I would bring out a movie camera. Although I did get away with shooting many rolls of super-8 film, I probably lost an equal amount to the security staff. Dick Grob, Elvis' Chief of Security once told me he had many rolls he personally took away from me."

Otto: It seems the record companies and the Presley Estate simply try to erase the 1974 through 1977 era of Elvis Presley. Yet you have many great photographs of him, all taken during this period. Have you ever offered some of his shots to them for publishing?

Bob Heis: "During Elvis' lifetime, no. Afterwards, I allowed Joan Deary (of RCA) to use some of my photographs in the eight record silver anniversary boxed set tribute to Elvis. Since then, Graceland has contacted me for permission to use of one photograph in a publication that was being written in 1998. I gave them permission and also sent to them one print of every photograph I have ever released. To date, I've not been contacted for the use of any others and to my knowledge, no others have been used."

Otto: I'm told that Elvis looked differently "in person" than he did in photographs. That he in fact was much better looking than the photographs give him credit for. Do you feel the same way?

Bob Heis: "I never gave it much thought. And now that I think about it, I cannot remember what he looked like in person. Not with the naked eye anyway. Ninety five percent of the time, I was looking at him through the lens of either a movie camera or a single lens reflex. This is where my most vivid memory seems to be. I will say this, he was a good looking man and 50,000,000 Elvis fans can't be wrong."

Otto: In 1977, it was obvious to many people, including some who were very close to him, that Elvis was in deep trouble as far as his health was concerned. Did you ever realize that the tragedy would happen so soon after you photographed him in Indianapolis, IN? Or was his passing a total shock?

Bob Heis: "A total shock? Of course, shock is the right word. Totally? No, I saw it coming and even mentioned it in the "Something For Everybody" Elvis Presley fan club newsletter that was released just prior to Elvis' death. I wrote: "I see Elvis through the lens of my camera, much closer than the average fan could ever hope to. And quite frankly, what I see, scares hell out of me." Elvis left us just a few weeks after that issue was released."

Otto: After Elvis left us, what did you do? Were you still interested in photography? What are you doing today?

Bob Heis: "Soon after Elvis passed away, I began traveling all over the United States, attending Elvis Presley Conventions. For five years, every weekend, I was somewhere other than home. In 1984, my father took sick and my wife and I moved into his home to look after him until he passed a few years later. During that time, we were unable to go anywhere, as he required round the clock care. I never took another professional photograph after Elvis left us. And today, I operate a very successful shopping center parking lot sweeping business here in Dayton, OH."

Otto: Have you attended any of the recent "Elvis, The Concert" shows?

Bob Heis: "The first show premiered in Memphis during Elvis week in 1997. It took to the road beginning on March 10, 1998. I attended the opening concert in Louisville, KY on that date. Having attended so many actual Elvis concerts, I was left with somewhat of an empty feeling. But I do think the show is well done and presented to the fans in a dignified manner. A good thing for those who have never seen the man who started it all."

Otto: You are one of the so called "World Famous Elvis Photographers." Some of your colleagues, Sean Shaver, Ed Bonja and most recently above mentioned Keith Alverson have published their own photo books. In the past, some of your photographs of Elvis have appeared in other publications, yet today, we still do not have a photo book from Bob Heis featuring only Bob Heis' photographs. I am sure such a publication would be appreciated by many fans from all over the world. Is such a book forthcoming?

Bob Heis: "I have to say that at the present time, nothing is in the works. I am very busy with my sweeping business here and until such time I am forced to retire, I can't seem to find the time to work on such a project. It is always in the back of my mind, the back burner, so to speak. Let's just hope, unlike Colonel Parker, I'll someday be able to make my book a reality. Fortunately, we do have books from Sean, (whom I like to refer to as "The original Elvis photographer for the fans") and the other gentleman mentioned."

Otto: Bob, on behalf of our fan club members, I'd like to thank you for your time and the worthwhile information you have shared with us.

Bob Heis: In closing, I would like to return to a previous question if I may. The one about a special moment during an Elvis concert. One moment comes to mind that I experienced a total of forty nine times. If your readers have attended an actual Elvis Presley concert, I would like for them to return with me now, to those thrilling days of yesteryear..."

"With every amount of effort Elvis could work up from the bottom of his throat, the final words of his final song fills the air. So intense is the moment, fans can concentrate on nothing else.....falling in love with youuuuuuu.......He lay his microphone on the stage and rose to his full six feet one in height, arms out stretched, head held high. He moves forward to the edge of the stage where complete chaos is happening. Like from out of nowhere, various colored scarves are being tossed to the throng of outstretched hands. Suddenly, with the swiftness of a cheetah, his famous karate pose is struck and without warning he turns on his heel and is gone. Pandemonium is in the air, the lights go out and within moments they come back on. On stage, where once stood Elvis Presley, the king of rock n' roll, along with his band, back up singers and full orchestra are now stage hands, already dismantling the set...preparing to load up for the next city on the tour. In the background you can hear the announcer as he barks: "Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night!" Then almost as an afterthought: "Don't forget, on your way out of the building, to pick up your Elvis Presley super souvenirs. We have a limited supply for tonight's show only. Everyone spend money..."

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