Susan and I were visiting Kevin Burns, a West Point ex-classmate and friend of mine in Washington DC on August 16th, 1977.
He walked in with a stunned look on his face.
Elvis Presley had just died. Kevin held a copy of the Washington Post in his hands.
35 years later it's difficult to describe the effect of 42-year-old Presley's death on the nation.
It was more than a celebrity dying. More than an icon disappearing.
His death by drug abuse signaled the reality of our nation's youthful spirit dying. Many by drug abuse...
Though no longer in his prime, Elvis still represented 25 years of music, culture and lifestyle. And drugs.
Elvis was uniquely American and suddenly his uniqueness was dead.
And gone.
35 years later, his loss is still felt by those whom he touched (and still touches through his films and music)
35 years ago on August 16th "The King" bowed his knee to THE KING.
It just may be that his singing is even more effective now in Heaven than it was on Earth. But he's singing a new song...
Den
PS: The Washington Post of today put it this way:
"Elvis Presley’s ex-wife Priscilla and their only daughter Lisa Marie stunned a crowd of thousands Wednesday night when they unexpectedly greeted fans who had flocked to Graceland for a candelight vigil marking the 35th anniversary of the singer’s death."
More here.
Source:
http://www.dennismansfield.com/business/2012/08/elvis-presley-35-years-after-his-death-the-nation-still-remembers.html