QUESTION OF THE DAY

DO YOU REMEMBER WHERE YOU WERE WHEN YOU HEARD THAT ELVIS PRESLEY DIED?

This morning, I heard the question asked on the TV news show, on the radio while driving into work, on one of the news web sites, and I just now read it in the newspaper. Today is the 30th anniversary of Elvis’ death so that explains all the buzz about Elvis Presley.

Sadly enough, I am old enough to remember EXACTLY where I was when I heard that Elvis had passed away. I was 23 years old, it was mid-afternoon and I was standing in my kitchen when the phone rang. It was my cousin Gayla Reigh who tearfully gave me the tragic news. She was sobbing so much that I could barely understand who or what she was talking about. Finally, after realizing what she was saying, I was stunned. ELVIS IS DEAD!

I remember watching the news that evening, listening to Geraldo Rivera give an account of how and when Elvis had died. Everyone knew that Elvis had issues but he was the King, he was famous and talented and he was too young to die.

Since then, I’ve watched lots of Elvis movies, I’ve been to Graceland twice, I’ve seen an Elvis impersonator act in Vegas, and I still crank up the volume when the oldies radio station plays one of his early hits. I was actually excited to sleep in a motel room that Elvis had slept in 40 years ago.

On this day of remembrance to the King of Rock ‘n Roll, I am feeling somewhat melancholy. I am saddened to remember a life of hope, tragedy, despair, and musical genius and more personally, I am saddened to know that 30 years have passed by so quickly.