40 years ago today....R.I.P. Elvis

[Baz]

Still and always will be....The King....

[jcommin]

I saw him in concert at the Chicago Stadium in the early seventies. Awesome show, I remember it like it was yesterday.

[GH85Carrera]

I heard just today the 8% of Americans believe he is still alive. The same folks believe we never landed on the moon and big foot is real most likely.

[R K T]

I was sitting at a blackjack table in Vegas when the news swept through the casino like a tidal wave. Dealers were crying and even the pit bosses were completely stunned.
But to see photos of what he looked like 6 months prior.... not a big surprise.

[Baz]

In a manner of speaking, Glen.....he Is still alive. In many hearts and minds he sure is.

There will never be another like him.

The King!

[Racerbvd]

Elvis is dead??

[Baz]

Nice, Byron!

[pwd72s]

Elvis with a classic American beauty...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7CzTWrGHf8

[herr_oberst]

[livi]

Oh yes.

[sugarwood]

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

Originally Posted by sugarwood

Elvis would look like Bryon?

Today is the day he died. That explains all the Elvis movies on TCM.

[sc_rufctr]

40 years just like that? I'll never forget that morning in High School. Even before Smart Phones and social media the word spread like wild fire.

RIP.

[Laneco]

We were in Lake Tahoe on a vacation with another family. We were sharing a house with a big pine-tree studded back yard. All four of us (children) were playing some game outside and my Dad just started WAILING inside the house...

It had just come up as a special news report. My Father was a huge fan and was absolutely shocked by the news. Vacation was over. Seriously. We packed up and headed home. The balance of the vacation was spent with Dad playing Elvis music in some crazy 8-track (yeah, we still had 8-track) loop hour after hour.

At the end of my Father's life, hospice sent over a lady who sang to people - any song they wanted to hear. She knew every word to every gospel song Elvis ever sang and never complained about singing them again for him. I think that is what settled him enough to let go of being afraid and move from this world to the next.

As for me? I still love Elvis...

angela

[Nickshu]

I've been to Graceland. Twice actually, sort of by chance b/c I was in Memphis on business a few times maybe 10 years ago. The biggest thing I learned during my visit was what a huge philanthropist Elvis was. I always knew he gave away cars, but I didn't know that he donated millions to charities and hospitals throughout his career. TKB. RIP.

[Jims5543]

Angela that was cool about the lady singing in hospice. What a wonderful soul she is to do that.


I was 11 years old, I honestly did not care about Elvis, I do remember the day because we were heading off to school and a kid on the bus was inconsolable.

I was amazed that you could care about someone you did not know like that.

Years later Karen Carpenter would die and my father reacted to that like yours did. It deeply effected him, but in a different way.

He was pissed at the world for days and was taking his anger out on us kids, and I remember asking mom what his problem was. She told me and again, I was confused how someone could be so upset about the death of someone they did not know.

When Bowie died, I was bummed but it did not change a thing regarding my routine or how I interacted with those around me. When I started hearing all his songs one after another on Sirius (they did a tribute to him, I tuned in) I realized he was a soundtrack to me life growing up and my adult life.

Yet, while it was sad news, he was someone I never met nor knew. I guess I will never understand how someone can get so worked up like that. I think I am somewhat envious of them, they have a passion for something that I cannot understand, I think I may be broken.

[URY914]

Surprised no one has said this line sooner......"Elvis has left the building"

[manbridge 74]

A life cut short by drugs was what I recall.

[gshase]

In 1976-77 I was in Navy A school in Millington and a couple of buddies and I drove out to Graceland. We were chatting with the guard when Elvis came out driving a GMC Jimmy, he had a beautiful brunette with him as he was leaving compound. They stopped to talk and asked us about the Navy and how it was going with us. Elvis reminded us he a in the Army and we chatted for a half hour. He said they were going to get some BBQ and we parted ways. I should have mentioned we were planning on eating some BBQ also but couldn't think fast enough to eat with The King. He died like a month later.

[Seahawk]

Some cool stories.

I was also stationed in Millington for 14 months. I was a detailer in 2001 into 2002.

I liked some of Elvis's music but wasn't a fan - I was probably too young. My oldest sister was and is a big fan.

Anyway, I went to Graceland and was taken by the reverence of the other tourists. The place was packed but eerily quiet.