30 years ago 8/16/07

[germdoc]

It was 30 years ago that Elvis died.

I don't recall exactly where I was, but I was probably hanging out at the swimming pool or rock quarry (local swimming hole) trying to get some cute girl to talk to me. Probably without success.

At that time Elvis was not of great interest to me, but over the years I have come to respect and enjoy his early work and to understand how he meant so much to so many people. He came from almost nothing and really took off like a rocket, with a major recording contract just out of high school. As Wikipedia's entry notes, early on he was the opening act for headliner Slim Whitman--irony of ironies.

He had a ton of talent and energy. What I wouldn't give to have been at some of those early Sun sessions, especially the one where he recorded with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash--the Million Dollar Quartet. He was only 21 at the time and one of the biggest recording stars in the country.

Too bad his success overtook him at age 42; if he were alive today he'd be 72.

Guess I'll raise a toast and eat a fried peanut-butter-and-banana sandwich in his honor on Thursday.

[Russianwolf]

ummm.... isn't today the 13th?

[germdoc]

ummm.... isn't today the 13th?

I know that! I was giving you 3 days of lead time to get ready...

[DUD]

I was in the same hospital in Memphis, when they brought Him in. The Hospital went even crazier. Me and LOML went to see several of His concerts, We had 10 tickets to the next concert in Memphis. We sold them back, LOML kept 2 said She wanted to sit on the front row with Her tickets. Bill

[Mrs. Wallnut]

Now I won't actually tell you how old I was on that day and year, but I will tell you that I don't remember what I was doing because I was young.

But my dad was and is still a big fan of his and I grew up listening to his music on an 8 track tape player that was in the car and the house. I like most all of his music and I think that I am going to go and borrow the CD that I gave my dad as a gift a few years ago for Fathers Day to listen to at work, maybe some of the drunks will leave me alone

FootNote: I work in a store that is offering a Chocolate-Peanut Butter and Banana Latte....it isn't too bad....

[BrazosJake]

30-years...and he's still dead.

[TheRic]

30-years...and he's still dead.

I thought he was collecting trash in Michigan??!!!

[Uncle Cracker]

Like Tommy Lee Jones said: "He's not dead... He just went home..."

[drumpriest]

Sorry, can't get excited about it, probably because 35 years ago I was born, so that day has more meaning to me than Elvis' death.

[mater]

I remember I walked into the house and my wife was ironing and I noticed she was crying. I asked what was wrong and she said that Elvis had died. I always liked him as I grew up in that era. I even learned some of his moves so I could show out on the dance floor.

[leehljp]

I was on the expressway in FT. Worth, Tx with some friends and heard it on the radio.

We have the same birthday (Jan. 8) but I am 12 years younger. I know 10 other people (not famous people) with the same birthday. How is that for trivia!

[Stytooner]

I was graduating from Boot Camp in Ft Dix, NJ. I remember it all like it was yesterday.

[Ed62]

We had very close friends who lived in Tupelo, MS (where Elvis lived, as a boy). They were visiting us when the news about Elvis' death was broadcast. It didn't seem to have too much of an effect on him, but his wife was really grieving as though she'd lost a close relative. He might have just been able to control his emotions a little better than she could.

Ed