You might not know this, but I’m a huge Elvis fan. I have been for as long as I can remember.
I grew up listening to his music.
He had amazing sideburns and he was nice to his mama. He was popular with the ladies and he wore jumpsuits decorated with sparkly rhinestone eagles, what’s not to like!!
I had several Elvis 8 tracks that I would crank up in my bedroom. I would grab my hairbrush-microphone and jump around my room, wildly impersonating the King before that was even a thing.
I would only stop when my angry father would come stomping in and tell me to shut up because I was shaking the entire house.
Dad didn’t realize…
You can stop the singer, but you can never kill the song.
I never stopped loving Elvis’ music.
I even loved Elvis’ movies. They were fun and they taught you valuable life lessons, like sometimes you just need to stop everything and sing a song, even if you’re in jail or driving a race car.
I ate peanut butter and banana sandwiches…DELICIOUS!!!
I didn’t really understand what the jungle room was, but it sounded like fun and I wanted one!
I practiced my lip curl in front of the mirror.
In 6th grade art class, I made an amazingly lifelike replica of Elvis out of paper mache and a pop bottle. He was wearing a white bedazzled jump suit. I gave it to my Aunt Gabby, because she was an even bigger Presley fan than me.
Then a few months after my paper mache, pop bottle Presley something terrible happened…
It was August 16, 1977. I was 12 years old.
I was watching the Brady Bunch when a sweaty looking local newscaster broke in to report the story: Elvis had been found dead in Memphis.
He was only 42.
I went out to my backyard and tearfully sung Elvis songs to my dog, who coincidentally WAS a hound dog.
I’m pretty sure my beagle was upset too.
When I was 12 years old, I didn’t understand how young 42 was. Now at 52, I do.
What a waste.
I wonder what could have been?
Was there still song and story to be seen and heard.
I think so.
You might not know this, but I’m a huge Elvis fan.
I’ve written my name on the wall at Graceland.
I’ve occasionally still impersonated the King. (Now, I’m strictly fat Elvis…)
I never stopped loving Elvis’ music.
I’m listening to it now. Because…
40 years later, it’s still true…
You can stop the singer, but you can never kill the song.
carbonated joy 