Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Elvis 30th Anniversary Commemoration

This is topic Elvis 30th Anniversary Commemoration in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-16-2007, 11:31 AM:

Yes, it's 30 years since The King passed away. Do you remember where you were when you heard he died?

I was 11 years old and turned on the 'Hi-Fi' to the morning radio as my Dad liked to hear the news every morning. Mum was the Elvis fan and so I got to know his music pretty well and had seen some concerts on the television. I couldn't believe that he had died.

If anyone's got WINAMP installed, their Shoutcast radio has a 24hr broadcast live from Memphis with interviews and 24hr Elvis music.

Rather good.

Anyone else feel like telling where they were when he died?

--------------------

"I want to entertain people. That's my whole life. To my last breath." - Elvis Presley

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 08-16-2007, 11:48 AM:

I was visiting one of my grandmothers during summer break from school at the time. I was listening to the radio when they broke in with the announcement. We had concert tickets for a show that he was to do in Lexington later that month. I was 12 at the time. I was not a big fan of Elvis but did understand his contributions to rock and roll. There really has not been anyone since, that has drawn so much fan support since his death. Not even Michael Jackson at the height of his career could stand up to the level of fan support that Elvis had. He truly was the king of rock and roll.

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-16-2007, 11:51 AM:

quote: Darryl Spicer
He truly was the king of rock and roll.

And will always be. That sounds sentimental, but it's not. Think about it...who else could have that influence nowadays?

Posted by Darryl Spicer (Member # 711) on 08-16-2007, 11:54 AM:

If he could hear some of the crap that is being made today he would probably spin himself right out of the grave.

Posted by Joshua Waaland (Member # 287) on 08-16-2007, 04:44 PM:

I was only two at the time so I don't remember anything. However my dad's birthday is today and I bet he would remember where he was. I feel bad for people like him that have birthdays on days when something sad/bad happened in history. My father-in-law's birthday is September 11th. I would imagine it would be hard to have a good time when you got the rememberances all over the news and in the back of your mind. [Frown]

Posted by William T. Parr (Member # 677) on 08-16-2007, 04:45 PM:

quote: Darryl Spicer
He truly was the king of rock and roll.

Thank Ya, Thank Ya.... Thank Ya very much!

quote: Darryl Spicer
If he could hear some of the crap that is being made today he would probably spin himself right out of the grave.

Sorry, but Elvis done left the grave when Lisa Marie married Michael Jackson.

I was on my way home from Day Care in my Dads 1968 Ford Fairlane when I first heard about Elvis's Death. I was about 7yrs old at at the time.

Posted by Phil Hill (Member # 371) on 08-16-2007, 05:14 PM:

I saw him at the Beverly Center Mall in West Hollywood the other day...he was shopping for a new suit, rhinestones, and some cubic zirconium "diamonds".

Posted by Bill Enos (Member # 440) on 08-16-2007, 06:09 PM:

It seems to me that a celebration on the anniversary of somebodys death would mean that you're glad he's gone. Makes no sense to me, something to be done on the anniversary of the day Hitler died for instance.

Posted by Bobby Henderson (Member # 840) on 08-16-2007, 10:45 PM:

quote: John Wilson
Yes, it's 30 years since The King passed away. Do you remember where you were when you heard he died?

I was in Iwakuni, Japan. Our family had just been stationed at the Marine Corps base there. We were mourning the loss of my maternal Grandfather. He died the same week as Elvis.
[Frown]

My mother's father taught my brother and I how to ride dirt track motorcycles. We were only 8 and 9 years old then. The guy also rolled his own cigarettes. Lung cancer killed him. The last time I saw him (early July of 1977) his right lung had been removed. He was in awful shape. My parents quit smoking cold turkey and have never smoked since. I chose never to pick up that costly habit based on those final painful visits with my Grandfather. That event was pretty tough to handle. It was the first time in my life I had lost a close relative.

Most people just think about Elvis when the anniversary of the death of "the king" rolls around. That anniversary only reminds me of my Grandfather.

Posted by Mike Heenan (Member # 392) on 08-16-2007, 11:51 PM:

If Elvis is still alive, the only guy that likely can find him is this guy

Posted by John Wilson (Member # 269) on 08-17-2007, 05:32 AM:

quote: Bill Enos
It seems to me that a celebration on the anniversary of somebodys death would mean that you're glad he's gone. Makes no sense to me, something to be done on the anniversary of the day Hitler died for instance.

I'm pretty sure they are not 'celebrating' his death. It's a celebration of his life on the anniversary of his death. Perhaps you misread the topic title as celebration rather than commemoration.

Posted by Paul Mayer (Member # 355) on 08-17-2007, 10:41 AM:

I was 22 and working in the showroom at the Las Vegas Hilton - one of the projects we had going that day was some electrical prep for Elvis' upcoming return to our stage the next month. I had just finished checking the marks and mirrors we used to have the spots hit the colonel's King's Row booth when I heard.

30 years. 30 years ago I was still just a soloed but not yet private pilot. And hadn't started college yet. Doesn't feel like 30 years at all.

And yes, I see Elvis every day here. He never left. In fact he multiplied. What a great gig dying turned out to be. [Big Grin]

Posted by Kenneth Wuepper (Member # 1174) on 08-17-2007, 12:12 PM:

I was running house lights in the Wendler Arena for the Elvis show, about 31 years ago. I remember that he collapsed into the arms of one of his handlers and was rushed off in a limo. He was very ill at that time and barely got through that show.

KEN

Posted by Brad Allen (Member # 470) on 08-17-2007, 02:00 PM:

quote: Mike Heenan
If Elvis is still alive, the only guy that likely can find him is this guy

Mike-

Nah, Michael couldn't been him you saw. I saw him here in a local record store looking for the new song that Britney, Lindsey and Paris just recorded together. Jailhouse Rock.

Posted by Jesse Skeen (Member # 586) on 08-17-2007, 11:40 PM:

In a collection of old Beta tapes I got from someone, I have part of the WNEW (I think) local news in New York where they announce Elvis' death, and a complete 30-minute report aired by NBC at 11:30 that night. I'll try to put those up on Google Video soon (better than YouTube since there's no time limits, and copyright holders don't seem to get their panties in a bunch as much.)

Wonder if Elvis would have done any disco songs if he'd lived a little longer? [Razz]

Posted by Allison Parsons (Member # 2728) on 08-18-2007, 12:28 AM:

what will happen in 50 years when he turns 120? "Today people at Graceland gather to celebrate his 120th birthday" woah boy...

Posted by Hillary Charles (Member # 769) on 08-18-2007, 07:38 AM:

quote: Jesse Skeen
Wonder if Elvis would have done any disco songs if he'd lived a little longer?

I'd like to think he'd be doing THIS.

Check out the first audio clip for the Nirvana song. [thumbsup]