By Neena Strichart, Publisher
Thirty years ago today the world lost a great entertainer. Elvis Aaron Presley, born to Vernon and Gladys Presley on January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, died of an apparent overdose and heart ailment August 16, 1977.
Elvis starred in 33 films–none critically acclaimed–yet quite popular with fans of the singer/actor. He made history with his television appearances and specials and will be remembered for his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. I had the thrill and honor of seeing him live in concert 40 times.
Most of the concerts I attended were in Las Vegas. I also saw Elvis perform in Long Beach, at the Anaheim Convention Center, at The Forum, and in Lake Tahoe. My favorite venue was Las Vegas.
Elvis concerts in Las Vegas were unbelievable experiences. I nearly always sat in the front row within kissing distance. Through the years I received not only seven kisses from the King–but seven of his scarves as well. I was not the kind of fan to reach out and grab scarves that Elvis would throw out to the crowd. No, I wanted him to hand each one to me personally and seal it with a kiss. My knees are shaking just telling about it all.
I was probably 7 or 8 years old when I first became a fan. I watched Elvis movies alone on the tiny black and white television set in my room and absolutely swooned. Mom claimed she enjoyed Elvis’s singing but said she didn’t like to look at him all swerving around. My friends were not interested in movie stars or singers or anything other than dolls and cartoons at that age. I, however, was quite boy crazy. When in kindergarten, I kissed neighbor Brandt Authier on the playground of Signal Hill Elementary School.
Mom and Dad humored my Elvis obsession by taking me to see his movies and buying me his records. Eventually I had quite a collection of record albums and 45s and memorized every word of them all.
During the summer of 1969, Mom and Dad took me to see Elvis in concert at the International Hotel (now the Hilton) in Las Vegas. It was Elvis’s first engagement in many years. The audiences went nuts. I was emotionally overcome during the performance and sobbed uncontrollably during the entire show.
Over the years I was to see him perform 39 more times. Each one a night to remember.
I know he’s been gone for 30 years now, yet I still grieve. Elvis may have left the building–but he still lives, within my heart.
