Walking in the Valley A weekly column for those who live and walk in Silicon Valley by Barbara Dahlgren

The Star Burns Brightly Column for the week of August 18-24, 2002

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That hunk-a hunk-a burning love guy came on the scene like a hound dog and his flaming star still seems to be shining after 25 years. Yes, August 16 marks the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death and the fans aren't going to have a change of habit. They still think he's their teddy bear and good luck charm. His death left fans crying in the chapel. That's why they flock to Graceland, his home in Memphis, TN, year after year.

Elvis wasn't born in the ghetto. He was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and you might say he grew up wild in the country as a roustabout. He didn't have a wooden heart because he was devoted to his mom. They were poor but he said, "That's all right mama. I'm going to follow that dream of being a singer." Colonel Parker heard him sing and said, "I'm stuck on you, son! Let me be your manager. Put on these blue suede shoes and gyrate like you're all shook up when you sing." That paid off with a contract he received one night from RCA records that he refused to return to sender. His career took off like a spinout on the speedway. You might say it was easy come, easy go for him as he proceeded to wow the world with song hit after song hit and movie hit after movie hit. He had fun in Acapulco and in blue Hawaii. He even said, "Viva Las Vegas!"

He was going to live a little, love a little more with some girls, girls, girls, when he was drafted into the Army and had to leave them all behind. He got the G.I. blues but wasn't sad for long because that's where he met his latest flame, Priscilla. He said, "Are you lonesome tonight? I want you, I need you, I love you! Don't be cruel, I beg of you. Wear my ring around your neck and love me tender!"

She said, "You're too much. I can't help falling in love with you. It's now or never! Let's ditch this clambake and get married." So they got married and moved to Graceland. They were both girl happy when their Bosa Nova-baby, Lisa Marie, arrived. Lisa was an only child and didn't have a little sister. She said, "Don't cry, daddy," when her parents went their separate ways a few years later. Divorce followed and Elvis said, "I feel so bad" and checked into the heartbreak hotel.

Considered the "King of Rock and Roll," Elvis revolutionized the music industry. John Lennon said, "Before Elvis there was nothing." Elvis eventually had double trouble, though. His doctor should have been put in a jailhouse rock for prescribing Elvis those double doses of prescription drugs, which led to his untimely death in 1977. But his legacy lives on and on and on and on.

Suspicious minds thought Elvis was the devil in disguise, while others deified him into a religious figure. He's even been compared to Jesus. It's an interesting parallel. Both revolutionized the world. Both still have enormous followings years after they first came on the scene. Both have stars that continue to burn brightly. But Elvis has had help keeping his legend alive through the media blitz. There were no newspapers, televisions, radios, records, or even printing presses to spread the gospel of Jesus. Yet, people heard, people believed, people followed. Oh yes, and there is another difference. Believe it or not, Elvis really is dead. Believe it or not, Jesus really is alive. And on that note, this hardheaded woman would like to thank you! Thank you very much!

P.S. 51 references were made to Elvis movies, song titles, lyrics and/or phrases in this article. Can you find them?

P.P.S. No Elvis impersonators were harmed in the writing of this article.

©August 2002

Be sure to visit this page every week to read the next edition of Walking in the Valley. You can write to the author at bdahlgren@wcgsouthbay.org.