35th Anniversary of Elvis' Death

[prberk]

Wow! It has been 35 years today since Elvis Presley died at Graceland in Memphis.

I had the previlege five years ago to be in Memphis for this occasion, where they call it "Elvis Week." They did a reunion concert (which they are doing again there tonight) with original band members and singers, with Elvis' tracks and visuals brought it on screen. It was neat, and very mindful of the real Elvis concert that I had the opportunity to see in early 1977, at age 11 with my mother and brother, in the Richmond Coliseum.

I remember how much people noticed when he died. He was only 42, but he had been prolific and a big influence on many people. The news showed people lining the limousine route for his funeral. CBS Evening News recorded its lowest ratings ever at the time, as it decided to lead the broadcast with Washington news rather than the story on Elvis' death.

I remember my grandfather crying upon the news. He was visiting with us at the time.

Anyone else remember what you were doing, or how you heard that day?

If you are an Elvis fan, it is worth checking out http://www.elvis.com/elvisweekonline/default.aspx and also listining this morning to Nashville station WSM, where they are broadcasting live from RCA Studio B, where many famous recordings were made (including Elvis'), with many good stories.

 

[Nemo14]

I had been traveling cross country that summer with a close friend who lived in Pompano Beach at the time. After dropping her off back in FL, I had to drive back to RI alone, so I was very dependent on the radio to keep me company. Every station that night was playing nothing but Elvis songs, and I admit to shedding a tear through a few of them. I stayed in Richmond that night and continued on the road the next morning. The radio continued the Elvis marathon, and nearly every car I saw had their headlights on to honor him. I can't believe that was 35 years ago (considering I myself am only 39

)

 

[Lucky]

I was living in Memphis at the time, but don't remember it that well. I vaguely remember going to the dentist the next day with my siblings near Graceland, and being amazed at the number of fans outside the gates and at the worldwide publicity the whole thing was getting. We used to pass his house every day (it was on a major road) and didn't realize just how famous he was, and dying young just made him even more revered and famous.

 

[prberk]

Did anyone see the Today show tour of Graceland last week? It was nice. I got take the tour about five years ago. The Jungle Room was especially interesting. The house itself was not that large, which says a lot about the time period. People lived more conservatively then, so that even "mansions" were what many large subdivisions today would consider average. There is something to learn there.

They interviewed Priscilla and Lisa Marie. Lisa Marie has decided to start singing again, and has a new album coming out. (In fact, she will be on the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday night -- which her dad was famously shunned from, although he did get to perform at least once there). I don't really like what I have heard of her music too much, but I do think she is nice; and I like the way that she respects her father's fans.

I also think that Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises is the gold standard in how to deal with the legacy and estate of celebrities who pass away. Michael Jackson's folks could learn a lot from them.

 

[Lucky]

The Jungle Room was especially interesting. The house itself was not that large, which says a lot about the time period. People lived more conservatively then, so that even "mansions" were what many large subdivisions today would consider average. There is something to learn there.

I was really struck by that too when I toured it in 1992 or thereabouts.

I was driving through one of the wealthy neighborhoods in Montgomery County MD the other day and just couldn't believe all the huge houses and lots. Too much to mow; too much to keep clean; too much to heat and cool. Even if you can afford to hire maids, gardeners, etc., it takes time and trouble to manage them.