Edward "Eddie" Fadal

theater owner and disc jockey

Eddie was the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college and was a lifelong supporter of Baylor University. He was a theater owner, disc jockey, landlord, and the sports writer for a local newspaper. It was his mission to promote a positive image of his hometown, Waco, Texas, and of his famous friend, Elvis Presley, which he wrote about in "Elvis Days."

Over the years, Eddie had the privilege of meeting many celebrities at the shows he was sent to attend by the radio station and by the newspaper that he worked for.

Eddie Fadal

Nick Adams, Eddie, Elvis, Unknown Fan

Leonard Mixon, Eddie, Unknown, Fats Domino

Bill Haley & Eddie

LaNelle Fadal, Eddie, Danny Thomas

Eddie & Little Richard

Eddie Fadal

Laverne Baker & Eddie

Tony Williams & Eddie

Frankie Lymon & Eddie

Donna Douglas & Eddie

LaNelle Fadal

LaNelle and Eddie

LaNelle Fadal

Homemaker and mother

LaNelle was a small town girl living in Valley Mills, Texas, when her older sister, who worked at the local theater, introduced LaNelle to the theater owner, Eddie Fadal. It was love at first sight. LaNelle was a loving mother to her children, Janice and Dana, even when she had celebrity guests show up unexpectedly.

LaNelle learned to cook Lebanese food from her mother-in-law and many other delicious home-cooked meals that kept Elvis, his family, and his friends coming back for more.

Janice Fadal

Daughter

Growing up with Elvis records blasting on the Hi-Fi, Janice Fadal knew one day she would honor the friendship the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" and her father shared. In between, she graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, became a Cosmetology Instructor, produced a couple of indie films, and now renovates houses. More than anything, her two grown daughters are her proudest achievements.

Dana Fadal

Son

Born into a family with a music-loving dad, Dana was initiated early on to Elvis’s music and the songs of Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Connie Francis, and many other great 1950s vocalists. Even though he was too young to have visual remembrances of Elvis’s visits, he will never forget the energy and the excitement, “There was truly magic in the air when he visited. Despite my limited knowledge at the time I could still sense the strong charismatic presence of the King.” Dana is also a big fan of 1960s and 1970s rock ‘n’ roll music and the proud father of two daughters.