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This Just In...
Kevin Fischer is an award-winning veteran broadcaster who has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for nearly three decades.
Kevin, who is a legislative aide to state Sen. Mary Lazich (R-New Berlin), can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, “INTERchange,” on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, in Franklin.
The ELVIS edition of Week-ends: 2008
By Kevin Fischer
Saturday, Aug 16 2008, 06:00 AM
Thirty-one years ago today, Elvis Presley died at Graceland. The following is a special edition of my regular feature, Week-ends commemorating this anniversary.
HEROES OF THE WEEK
In last year's special edition of Week-ends, I mentioned the legion of fans that make the annual trek to Graceland for ELVIS Week, and the rest of the year, they help keep the memories alive. This year, one of the many examples of how Elivs was a true hero.
This is the most touching story I could relate about Elvis, so heartwarming that it inspires and impresses non-Elvis fans, too.
The following is a true story that I hope you will take the time to fully read. There is a book and movie about this wonderful story about Elvis and a remarkable young girl that, unfortunately, are very hard to find.
Please read about the Elvis we rarely hear about:
"The movie, Touched By Love, was based on the book To Elvis, With Love. Lena Canada's now very rare memoir tells the powerful, true story of Lena's friendship and love for Karen, the young girl crippled and dying from the effects of cerebral palsy. It is also the story of the power that Elvis holds for many people. In Karen's case the exchange of letters and gifts between Elvis and her bring incredible joy and happiness to the remainder of her greatly shortened life."
Read the entire article.
In the movie, Karen is played incredibly by a very young Diane Lane. She is unresponsive until she hears and sees Elvis. Her nurse encourages Karen to write to Elvis, but Elvis doesn't write back. Undaunted, little Karen keeps writing and writing, even though her daily trips to the mailbox in her wheelchair yield nothing. This goes on for quite some time, until finally.......
That's where we pick up the movie in this lengthy, but very touching clip (11:00 minutes).
VILLAINS OF THE WEEK
Those who needlessly and cruelly feel the desire to constantly make heartless jokes about this great performer. And the idiots who insist that Elvis is still alive.
QUOTES OF THE WEEK
“ I don’t sound like nobody.”
Elvis, to Sun records secretary Marion Keisker when she asked him who he sounded like.
Elvis was told to return to being a truck driver.
Grand Ole Opry manager Jim Denny after Elvis performed in 1954 for the first and only time at the Opry. Elvis swore he’d never go back. Years later, Garth Brooks commented in a television interview that one of the greatest thrills of playing the Opry was that he got to play on the same stage Elvis had.
“Rockin’ on music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t stand still. I’ve tried it and I just can’t do it.”
Elvis, on Elvis.
”His kind of music is deplorable, a rancid smelling aphrodisiac. It fosters almost totally negative and destructive reactions in young people.”
Frank Sinatra, in Elvis’ early days. The two would later become good friends.
”I wanted to say to Elvis Presley and the country that this is a real decent, fine boy."
Ed Sullivan to Elvis during one of Elvis’ appearances on Sullivan’s popular Sunday night variety show.
”Elvis was the king. No doubt about it. People like myself, Mick Jagger and all the others only followed in his footsteps."
Rod Stewart.
”A Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood.”
Producer Hal Wallis.
”A lot of people have accused Elvis of stealing the black man's music, when in fact almost every black solo entertainer copied his stage mannerisms from Elvis.”
Jackie Wilson
”There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king.”
Bruce Springsteen
”When I first heard Elvis' voice I just knew that I wasn't going to work for anybody; and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
Bob Dylan
”Elvis is the greatest cultural force in the twentieth century. He introduced the beat to everything, music, language, clothes, it's a whole new social revolution… the 60's comes from it.”
Leonard Bernstein
”There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearly as a friend. He was a warm, considerate and generous man.”
Frank Sinatra
”Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique, irreplaceable. More than twenty years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense. And he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness and good humor of this country.”
President Jimmy Carter after Elvis’ death
”Before Elvis, there was nothing.”
John Lennon
”If life was fair, Elvis would be alive and all the impersonators would be dead."
Johnny Carson
”Elvis taught white America to get down.”
James Brown
”We’ll never know what an old Elvis Presley would have been like. He’ll just always be the King.”
Pat Boone
”When I was a child, ladies and gentlemen, I was a dreamer. I read comic books, and I was the hero of the comic book. I saw movies, and I was the hero in the movie .So every dream I ever dreamed has come true a hundred times. These gentlemen over there, these are the type who care, are dedicated. You realize if it´s not possible that they might be building the kingdom, it´s not far-fetched from reality. I´d like to say that I learned very early in life that:
'Without a song the day would never end
Without a song a man ain´t got a friend
Without a song the road would never bend
Without a song...'
So I keep singing a song.Good night. Thank you.”
Elvis in his acceptance speech in 1971 for being one of the Top Ten Outstanding Young Americans by the national Junior Chambers of Commerce (the Jaycees).
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK
R.I.P. Elvis? Some just won't let that happen, as the debate over his death continues.
MOST UNDER-REPORTED STORY OF THE WEEK
Last year, I wrote about Elvis' tremendous philanthropy and generosity. One of his great acts that many are unaware of was a benefit concert for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.
MOST OVER-HYPED STORY OF THE WEEK
For the seond year in a row, Elvis Week featured an American-Idol-like, "Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist" contest. I can do without it. I can count on less than one hand the Elvis impersonators I have liked. The rest of them do more harm than good to the Elvis legacy, some intentionally.
STRANGEST, MOST UNUSUAL STORY OF THE WEEK
Maybe not strange, but amazing.
Have any guess as to what the most expensive piece of Elvis memorabilia is? His gold lame suit? A guitar or piano? Some jewelry? A cape? One of his cars?
Try this.
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