Elvis - 30 Years Ago Today, RIP

I'm 40 so I was 10 when he died. The event is similar to my generation what JFK's death was the the prior generation... everybody remembers where they were when they heard. I was sitting on my bike on the corner of Wayne talking with Richard Henry and I laughed when I was told because I thought it was a joke...At that age I couldn't imagine what death was or that someone like Elvis could suddenly be gone. I've sadly come a long way since then.

Viridian,

What was Elvis doing in Portland? When he filled my car up with gas last summer he was still in Kalamazoo. He said he'd worked at the WalMart there but had to quit because the health care benefits were lousy, what with his high blood pressure and diabetes. Maybe there was a greeter shortage in Oregon and they talked him into coming back - he was always great with the public. Not a bad singer either.

David

I first saw Elvis on the Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey summer replacement show for Jackie Gleason. It was 1956 and I was ll years old. I laughed so hard watching his gyrations that I almost had an accident. My 7 year old brother did not help either. He was on the floor laughing and rolling around gasping for breath. By the fall-winter of '56, I was buying his records. I still have an extended play 45 of songs from his first album.

His death was so unnecessary. It still greatly saddens me.

32 years ago now as of yesterday.

We did a jaunt to Memphis this year and visited Graceland as well as the Sun Studio, (and the Peabody Ducks).

It was a very enjoyable trip. Visiting Sun studio was the highlight for me, but I did enjoy Graceland as well.

One of the first records I ever bought with my own money was a set of the Johnny Cash Sun Recordings from an add run on TV back in the 60s, so Sun Studios holds a special place of honor in my musical world.

My 8 year old daughter has been obsessed with Michael Jackson since his death as a result of all the hype. My wife is an Elvis fan and my daughter and son both seemed to really enjoy our visit as well.

Both my kids like the Beatles. My daughter has been playing the "Say Say Say" video off Youtube repeatedly since she heard it on the McCartney "All The Best" CD that got some play time during our 900 mile jaunt to MEmphis.

I never, ever, understood the appeal of this man. Yeah, the Sun recordings are good. But what happened after the late 50's makes no sense to me. I just do not understand why people like it so much. Maybe someone can explain it to me.