Legend By First Name

It was about 9 a.m. 35 years ago today. My phone rang and my mother was on the other end; she said, “Have you heard Elvis is dead?”

Why do we always say “are you kidding?” when someone gives you news like that?

This was a time before Breaking News and 24-hour News channels.

She continued, “They brought him into the hospital this morning dead, the news people have not even been told, don’t tell anyone.”

My mother always wanted to get the scoop. My sister worked at Baptist Memorial in Memphis and had called her and most likely told her to not tell anyone.

Apparently I didn’t rank in the don’t tell anyone category. Within a few hours, the world knew even without my mother’s breaking news.

Over the years his impersonators, the myth makers, the gossip hounds have made him into somewhat of a joke, but when you hear the real Elvis sing and see the magnetism that he possessed, there has never been a doubt about his talent.

When everyone knows you by your first name only, I believe you are a legend.