Elvis Has Left the Building

With all the anniversary acknowledgement of Elvis Presley's death 33 years ago today, I thought I would share a short post about that day myself.

I remember listening to Elvis songs and watching Elvis movies with my mom, even as a little girl. I remember in 6th grade getting a stereo and the 50 Million Fans Can't Be Wrong album that Christmas. My mom really liked Elvis and told me about one time back in the late 50s or early 60s when he had been in east Texas for a concert.

Fast forward to a warm summer day in 1977. I had spent the summer in east Texas with cousins. I was back in north central Texas preparing for my first year of high school. I was outside talking to friends. I came inside and saw my mom sitting in a chair, quietly crying. I asked her what was wrong.

"Elvis Presley died."

In all honesty, it did not hit me the way it did so many of his fans. I did like his music. I enjoyed his movies, but my idea of a music legend was Donny & Marie on Friday nights when there wasn't a "home game" at the football field.

What bothered me the most that day was not his untimely death at the age of 42 but the fact that my mother was sad, which meant she was hurting. I believe that is why the day stands out so clearly in my memory today.

Elvis was definitely an incredible talent. I still enjoy catching his movies or listening to his songs even today. Taking my three children to visit Graceland back in 1999 brought the realization to me that they were a lot like I was back in 1977.

I remember crying when Conway Twitty died. I remember crying when George Strait's daughter died. I even cried when Brittany Murphy died because my daughter and I watched several of her movies together as the Force of Nature was a fan.

And a little over a year ago, I sadly whispered goodbye when someone else died, someone who's famous poster was on my wall back in 1977 at the time of Elvis' death. Someone who's hair style was copied by me that same year. Someone who I liked as an actress and who showed incredible courage during her battle with cancer. Someone who's death was overshadowed that same day by another music icon who had his own share of fans. If you were ever a fan, you know I speak of Farrah Fawcett.

Still, today marks the 33rd anniversary of the death of the King of Rock and Roll. My sympathy again goes out to his fans, to his beloved daughter and to the grandchildren he never knew who most certainly know all about him.

He may have left the building but something tells me he's still looking over those he loved.