I can’t remember the man’s name, just his face. It was mid August, hot like it always is in Mississippi at this time of year, and I was about to begin my junior year in high school. I was working the front at the A&P grocery store in Newton — my career before, during, and a little bit after college prior to launching a “lifelong affair” with newspapers — when he walked in. His eyes were open wide, a little bloodshot, and filled with tears. “Elvis is dead,” he said. That may very well be the day my fascination with the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll began.
As kids, my friends and I had seen some of Elvis’ movies at the Roxy Theater there in town, but then again we saw any movie that was playing on any given weekend at the Roxy. The Elvis ones, for me, were not very impressive. We were often at the movies for social purposes and not to actually watch the movie anyway.
As far as Elvis’ music goes, I don’t recall paying much attention to that either. But then, somewhere, sometime after August 16, 1977, the day I believe the music died, things changed. His music started sounding better and better and it still seems to get better and better every time we spin the dozen or so Elvis CDs in our collection. Especially his gospel and Christmas work.
Ten years after Elvis’ death, wife Danny and I were living in Clarksdale, just a short drive from Memphis and Graceland, so we organized an excursion of friends from our home to The King’s place. It was our first trip inside Graceland and I suppose we weren’t quite as reverent as we could have been. It all kind of looked gaudy back then. I’m pretty sure we made a little bit of fun of Elvis’ taste in decor.
Then about 20 years ago, on a press trip to Memphis, we took a side tour of Graceland again. That time, even though nothing had changed in the mansion, it all looked pretty stylish. We were the ones that had changed. Elvis had been on top of the style all along.
Elvis Week 45 officially wrapped up Wednesday and there has been a flurry of activities going on in Memphis celebrating Elvis Presley’s life, his music, his movies and his death.
Elvis Week 2022 — now 45 years since the day that man walked into the A&P with tears in his eyes — just about slipped by on me. I suppose the raid on former President Donald Trump’s mansion overshadowed it when it comes to the news cycles.
On the official Elvis Week 45 web page, organizers said festivities would “offer an unforgettable line-up of concerts, conversations, tributes, and more — marking the 45th anniversary of Elvis’ passing and celebrating the man, the star, the icon — the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Highlights included Elvis Presley in Concert featuring Elvis on the big screen backed by a live band; All the King’s Men, showcasing those who shared the studio and stage with Elvis; The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Dinner Show; the annual Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and performances by many past Ultimate winners; and the cornerstone event of the week, the annual Candlelight Vigil which was Monday night.
As a side note, they do have a recording studio in the Graceland complex where fans can record their favorite Elvis tunes. Or they did in 1987, that’s when I did a stunning rendition of “American Trilogy.” I still have that cassette which also includes my brother, Richard’s version of “Burning Love.”
I don’t have a cassette player that works anymore or I would listen to those grand performances once again for nostalgia’s sake. I have to admit, though, I would hate to take a chance on that little piece of history, and have an old player eat up the cassette like they always seemed to do to my “favorite” music.
It’s simply amazing. Judging by everything that was going on in Memphis during Elvis Week, the man has been dead for 45 years and he is still taking care of business, be it from the grave.
Just amazing!
