Lamar Fike, member of Elvis' 'Memphis Mafia,' dies

[February 21, 2011]  DALLAS (AP) -- 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.

His son, James Fike of Atlanta, says his father was suffering from non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and died Jan. 21 at a hospital the Dallas suburb of Arlington.

James Fike says his father held various roles with Presley, including lighting director, bodyguard and managing Presley's music publishing group. He says his father continued to work in the music business after Presley's death.

Fike was among five members of the group dubbed the "Memphis Mafia" who incorporated the name in the early 1990s.

Fike was born in Cleveland, Miss., and moved to Texas in 2006. A memorial service is set for later this month.

[Associated Press; By JAMIE STENGLE]

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