When Elvis died

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 shit!"

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.

 

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

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

 

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.

 

Leaving Wrigley Field.

 

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.

 

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.

 

i wasnt born........

 

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 ....

 

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

 

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

 

I was five days old.

 

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