Elvis - 36 Yrs Ago

I know there are a few of us (DeNiro) Elvis fans. Today marks the 36th anniversary of his death.

I was only 7 or so when he hit the scene and I remember at 8 or 9, a neighborhood friend and I wanted to write him a letter (he was in the army). We wrote something (LOL don't remember what we said) and her mother addressed the envelope for us and put a stamp on it. Never did hear back. His name was very well known in my house because of my sister and I were such fans. And even thru my teenage years AND the Beatle years (love the Beatles)Elvis was still special. He is/was like no other.

I was fortunate enough to seem in in concert (finally) at Pontiac Stadium in MI New Year's Eve 1975. Loved it!! Best New Years Eve ever

Anyway, my salute to The King!!!!!

TIS


OOPS!! I forgot to include this link:

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-207_162-57598846/thousands-honor-elvis-presley-at-graceland-vigil/

Today also marks the anniversary of Babe Ruth's death. It was 65 years ago (1948) that the Babe died.

Arguably two of the biggest American icons of the 20th century died on the same day albeit different years.

Really? How interesting. Both HUGE in their field (hey Ruth....field)No pun intended.


TIS

Proof that too much food, booze and drugs don't make for longevity.

I'm not so sure of that. I gave up drinking for one day and it was the longest day of my life.

I remember me and a couple friends were just driving around when the news broke that Elvis died. Couldn't believe it was really true. One of those moments you always remember like when the news broke of John Lennon being shot while i was watching Monday Night Football.

Elvis was The KING!

It seems like every year either me or Tis starts this thread, and I always post the same thing. But everyone thinks I'm repetitive anyway, so . . .

The summer of 1977 was probably the most memorable of my life because that was the year I graduated high school. Plus, there was just SO much going on that summer: Son of Sam, the big NYC blackout, the heatwave (the Bronx really was burning---lol), and finally Elvis's passing.

I was out at a summer rental in Long Beach with a bunch of friends. We had rented the place as kind of a last hurrah before going off to college (well, some of my friends went away, but me, I went all the way from Hoffman and 187th streets to Fordham University ). Anyway, I'll never forget when it came over the radio. No on believed it. The King was dead .

And Giancarlo, you're exactly right with the Lennon analogy. It was like deja vu. I'll never forget that day either.

I was working as a camp counselor. A bunch of us played in a softball league and then would go out for burgers and beers afterwards. We were driving around, convinced that Son of Sam was lurking, and the news about Elvis's death came over the radio.

Presley died a week after the Son of Sam was caught.

Oh yea, that's right. I remember Son of Sam being really big news and how relieved everyone was when he was caught. Didn't Spike Lee make "Summer of Sam?"

Elvis' funeral was on Aug. 18 (two days later). I wanted to see the news/updates (whatever they covered at that time) but I was kept busy cause it was my daughter's 2nd birthday and preparing for her party kept me occupied.





TIS

I saw Elvis on his first TV appearance--the Tommy Dorsey show. Right away I knew that the dull days (Patti Page, Four Aces) were over. Was a fan immediately.

I was listening to a classical music station when the news of his death was announced. Gigantic whup everywhere. National Enquirer sent a big team to Memphis. They bought every cheap camera in the city and handed them to guests at Elvis's viewing, promising them big bucks to get a picture of "Elvis in his box." They got it, too.

A couple of years ago,I did a road trip to Memphis(a.k.a.The Holy Land). I've always been a major Elvis fan,so I did the whole tourist thing. I visited the Mansion,of course,but also did Beale St.,and Sun Studios. Memphis also has a great zoo,by the way. The trip was fantastic. If you're an Elvis fan and you haven't done it,check out Graceland.
A funny little side note:
Back in the seventies, my parents decided to take a trip to Vegas,and part of the package was the Abby Lane show. The tour operator screwed up the reservations,and as a peace offering,got them tickets to another show,which happened to be Elvis. My parents were disappointed at having to settle for a Go**amn Rock and Roll singer,so they almost didn't go.
As my mother told it later,"when he opened his mouth and began to sing,I couldn't believe it". She remained an Elvis fan the rest of her life. My Dad was more impressed by the $62.00 he won in the quarter slots,and the fascinating concept of free drinks in the Casino.

Great story about your parents Lou. I would have loved to seen Elvis in Vegas but never did and I never did make it to Graceland either, but would love to visit someday.




TIS

The best there ever was and will be.. RIP Elvis. I recommend anyone to take the trip to Graceland, i posted some pictures of my visit in the photo section..

If you're a big fan and visit Graceland,do yourself a favor and buy the VIP ticket. In addition to the Mansion,it gets you into the car/vehicle museum,the jumpsuit museum,and gives you front of the line access for the shuttle ride to and from the house.
If you don't mind driving,I would suggest booking a room outside of Memphis(I stayed in Jackson, Tenn.)You'll save money on the hotel. Also you can book the time that you want to visit. I opted for early on a weekday morning and crowds were never an issue. It is really a fantastic experience and you can spend a very memorable day there. They have a webcam outside the house,so you can call your friends at home and they can get on the computer and watch you wave hello to them in real time.

His death happened the Summer before I started 8th grade. We had just returned from a vacation in South carolina where we visited cousins. On the way down we saw billboards in North Carolina advertising Elvis concerts to take place there in September.

I remember as the vacation started, we were talking about Son of Sam, who was caught a day later.

And after we returned I remember talking with my brother and a friend on our back porch when my mother told us about Elvis after hearing the news on tv. It was a massive news story.

I got one of his Depends at auction. It wasn't soiled, but it was worn.

Babe hit his first home run here in Fayetteville NC. The site is now a parking field for State highway Dept. equipment, but there is a monument there

What's the story behind that? (I never heard it). It's obviously not a major league town.

"Quick Description: Babe Ruth's first four-bagger as a pro was hit in Fayetteville, North Carolina in an inter-squad exhibition game during spring training in 1914."



http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WMGBY


His first official MLB HR was on "May 6, 1915 -- In the third inning at the Polo Grounds, 20-year-old pitcher Babe Ruth slammed the first pitch off Yankee right-hander Jack Warhop into the second tier of the right field grandstand for a home run. It was the first home run for the youngster in his 18th time at bat in the major leagues."

Thanks for that, Giancarlo.

I know that next year marks the 100th anniversaof Ruth signing a pro contract for the Baltimore Orioles, a minor league team at the time.