When Elvis died

[SF_Express]

This is a quintessential old guy post, but whatever. It's late, and I've cabbed home, and somebody asked me the question: Where were you when Elvis died?

It's interestting only in this. This is one of those I know exactly where I was.

I was in the newsroom at my first job, two months, a small paper in Wisconsin, a PM, and there were only about three of us left on the editorial side. The "final" edition had been put to bed.

So we're finishing up, and the old AP machines start going crazy, bells ringing, clacking away. Nothing like it; yes, this is a nostalgia thing.

Well, Elvis had indeed died. And me, from sports, and the two other remaining people start reading the paragraphs off the wire, and basically, it's "Holy ****!"

And yep, we all run back into the press room and get to say it: "Stop the presses!"

Tore up the front page. Four column by 12 inch photo of the King. 12 inch story, no jump. Headine:

Elvis dead

144 point, I believe.

I only got to yell that maybe twice more in my career.

And I'll never forget that day.

 

[DGRollins]

I envy you. I've always wanted to yell that.

Sadly, I was six when Elvis died. I have been to Graceland, however.

 

[micropolitan guy]

Driving down the street heading for the Red Owl store to grocery shop. Heard it on the radio. No big deal at the time because Elvis was a has-been.

 

[21]

Leaving Wrigley Field.

 

[Joe Williams]

Driving down to Missouri to see a girlfriend before fall semester. Heard news on radio, station then played an Elvis song ("Heartbreak Hotel" I think). Twelve miles down the road, I see a highway sign that reads "Memphis." Felt like the steering wheel almost had mind of its own, wanting me to turn that way. Didn't, kicked myself later. RIP Elvis. TCB.

 

[da man]

Elvis is dead????

Oh, my god!!!!!!!!!! I just saw him last week!

BTW, my brother, working for a p.m. that just went off the floor, got to yell ``Stop the presses!'' when Reagan was shot.

 

[CanuckReporter]

i wasnt born........

 

[healingman]

I was at a friend's house whose mother (who really was hot, BTW) was a big Elvis fan. I was 13 at the time. "Moody Blue" had been out for awhile. Well, I get home about 10 minutes later and on the TV was news that Elvis had died. Listened to an AM station that played Elvis songs all night long (not so much later Elvis, but those early years ... when his voice had that growl, rugged, un-Colonel Parker-ized sound).

And the fans flock to Graceland ....

 

[friend of the friendless]

Sirs, Madames,

I was working as security at a recording studio and on an extended break I went to the CNE (the Ex) to see an international snooker tournament (John Spencer, Alex Higgins, Cliff Thorburn, Eddie Agha, Kirk Stevens, the world's best). Buzz went through the crowd. E, he dead.

YHS, etc

 

[Lyman_Bostock]

Leaving Wrigley Field.

Watching that game on WGN and hearing the news from Cliff Mercer, the only news announcer in Chicago with a speech impediment.

 

[WazzuGrad00]

I was five days old.

 

[Walter_Sobchak]

Unavailable for comment.

 

[Angola!]

I envy you. I've always wanted to yell that.

Sadly, I was six when Elvis died. I have been to Graceland, however.

Since I don't know what year he died, I may have been alive or dead. I am shocked, though, that you have never yelled 'stop the presses' because I have yelled it for much simpler things than Elvis died.

 

[Oz]

Since I don't know what year he died, I may have been alive or dead. I am shocked, though, that you have never yelled 'stop the presses' because I have yelled it for much simpler things than Elvis died.

It's the 30-year anniversary on Aug. 16. I have no clue where I was though; I was 13 days away from turning 2.

 

[chazp]

I was in the third grade. Didn't know until the next day when our teacher, who was a huge Elvis fan told us with tears in her eyes.

 

[Lone_Star_Speed]

The first record I can remember geeking out over was the King Creole soundtrack. It was the first record I listened to constantly when I would go stay with Dad's folks (it had been his record when he was younger). As a little kid I fancied myself quite the Elvis imitator. I was once given detention at the hardcore Baptist church school my parents sent me to during my elementary school years. I could mimic the voice and the moves but I didn't have anything resembling his outfits.
I was playing in the backyard when the news broke that Elvis had died. I remember Mom coming out to tell me. I remember being bummed but I guess my little seven year old mind didn't have the firmest grasp on the concept known as death. Elvis's death was the first of the "where were you..." moments of mainstream culture that act as stopping points in our memories. The points that followed were the Reagan assassination attempt, the Challenger explosion, the Branch Davidian raid and--a couple of months later--inferno, the O J verdict, 9.11.01, and the Columbia explosion (of which I witnessed the aftermath).

 

[Del_B_Vista]

I was 10 years old and although I did not know the word "****", I knew that this kid in the neighborhood was usually full of it. He came up to us and said Elvis had died. I didn't believe him, but ESPN later reported it so it had to be true.

(Sorry, I don't usually slam on ESPN, just taking advantage of an obvious spot for an attempt at a joke.)

 

[Ace]

Driving down the street heading for the Red Owl store to grocery shop. Heard it on the radio. No big deal at the time because Elvis was a has-been.

I like Elvis but I remember thinking that his best days were way behind him. Now, 42 is just getting started for rockers.

 

[Bill Horton]

I was 16 years old and working on a loading dock for a football equipment company, packing up boxes of facemasks to ship out when the radio said Elvis had died.
For some reasons. I don't remember that being my last week of school or anywhere close to the start of my junior year.
Yet, my youngest son is in high school and has been in school since the 6th of August.
My point? Kids sure do start school a lot earlier than they used to. When I become dictator, we'll start school the Wednesday after Labor Day so people can use that Tuesday to prepare for the first day of school after a long Labor Day weekend.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Leaving Wrigley Field.

Wow... You're that old? ;D