Sammy Davis Jr. Recommended Elvis Presley for In The Ghetto says Linda Thompson

In her new book, A Little Thing Called Life, Linda Thompson talks about Elvis' legendary song, In The Ghetto. She says Elvis shared this deeply personal story about his beloved song.

Linda says, "As Elvis told me, when his good friend Sammy Davis Jr. was given that song by it's writer, Mac Davis, Sammy turned it down,"

Linda says Elvis told her Sammy couldn't do it because he never lived that lifestyle.

She says Sammy is to have said, "But I'll tell you who did. Elvis Presley."

So Mac Davis gave the song to Elvis. Sammy went on to cover it says Linda.

She says. "But the definitive version was recorded by Elvis who could sing it with such authority and feeling because he had lived in the ghetto.

He'd experienced first hand the desperation and injustice of that kind of life. Anyone who knows the song only has to think of the recurring line,"And his Mama cried," to be reminded of the powerful love he had for his Mama."