To Our Tribute To "The King of Rock-N-Roll" January 8, 1935 ~~ August 16, 1977
My mother, sister and I went to all of his movies, and we had all of his albums.
But, in 1968, this idol of ours, who we had only seen in the movies, was going to have a TV special. Oh My God!!!
I was sooo excited. When it finally came on, I was glued to the television set. I don't remember anything else but me and Elvis for the hour he was on. At the very end, (oh, I was sad it was over so soon), he sang a new song..."If I Can Dream". That, I believe, empressed everybody. It was so beautiful and he just stood there in a beautiful suit, quietly and sang his heart out.
What a man!
That is.........Until......
Note the Elvis poster on my living room wall!
I had moved to Monterey, Ca. in 1971 and I worked at the Golden West Pancake House in Pacific Grove. I found out that Elvis' concert from Hawaii was going to be on television, live via satellite. And, Horrors! I had to work that night.
The other two girls thought I was Nuts, but said OK. I let them not do much until it came on also. Then when it did.....they had to go mind the floor and I just absolutely melted into the TV.
And when it was over, my legs were so weak I thought I had screwed up telling the other girls to go home. But one of them was nice enough to stay for her shift which was good because we wound up having a huge bar crowd that night.
I didn't think much about anything that night or for a long time afterward. All I could think of was when I could see Elvis in person.
Gene Smith March 2, 1999
Elvis Weds Elvis' Grammy Awards, Gold and Platinum Records
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