Better late than never
Yesterday was the birthday of two extraordinary men in rock 'n' roll: David Bowie and Elvis Presley!
Share your stories (or comment on mine or both!)
ELVIS
I think everyone in my generation remembers where they were when Elvis died.
I was in Florida with my grandmother and 13-years-old. I heard it on the radio and couldn't believe it. I didn't know enough about him to cry, but I was very sad. He was a permanent fixture in our household. Elvis records were always playing and I memorized the lyrics to every song. In my teenage year, me and all my punk friends embraced the rockabilly Elvis, who made great recordings on the old Sun label. But I've also embraced the cheezy, overweight, Las Vegas Elvis of later years. How can you deny that voice, that emotion? I'd probably be more of a fan if my mom WASN'T a fan, because it was Elvis overload in our home.
Two years after his death, I took a trip with my family to Graceland. I met and had my picture taken with Vester Presley, the uncle of Elvis.
I never had the sweet pleasure of seeing the legend perform live, but I live for Elvis impersonators and see them often.
BOWIE
I don't quite remember when I first became aware of Bowie or heard his music. All I know was he was in every rock magazine. By the early 1980s I was very much into his work, not just as a musician, but as an artist and actor too. There is not one thing that man can't do. My favorite films he was in included, "The Hunger" and "Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence" (that also featured the music of Sakamota, who I am also a great fan of).
I had 10th row at Madison Square Garden during his "Serious Moonlight Tour" in 1984. I still have one of the half moon balloons that flew over the stadium during the show.
In 1987, I saw Bowie again at Giant's Stadium in NJ for his "Glass Spider Tour."
And I think it was 1982, Bowie walked right past me at The Ritz in NYC, with some body guards. I heard a loud, strong male voice say, "Everyone move to your left, everyone move to your left!" And there was Bowie, right in front of me. I saw his two different colored eyes, up close.
In 1998 I had tickets again to see Bowie. Unfortunately that night he had layringitis and cancelled his show. Instead, I took a cab down to Irving Plaza and saw Shane MacGowen.
Bowie and Elvis, two beautiful legends who gave the world so much happiness from their music and movies. Bless their souls!
Share your stories (or comment on mine or both!)
ELVIS
I think everyone in my generation remembers where they were when Elvis died.
I was in Florida with my grandmother and 13-years-old. I heard it on the radio and couldn't believe it. I didn't know enough about him to cry, but I was very sad. He was a permanent fixture in our household. Elvis records were always playing and I memorized the lyrics to every song. In my teenage year, me and all my punk friends embraced the rockabilly Elvis, who made great recordings on the old Sun label. But I've also embraced the cheezy, overweight, Las Vegas Elvis of later years. How can you deny that voice, that emotion? I'd probably be more of a fan if my mom WASN'T a fan, because it was Elvis overload in our home.
Two years after his death, I took a trip with my family to Graceland. I met and had my picture taken with Vester Presley, the uncle of Elvis.
I never had the sweet pleasure of seeing the legend perform live, but I live for Elvis impersonators and see them often.
BOWIE
I don't quite remember when I first became aware of Bowie or heard his music. All I know was he was in every rock magazine. By the early 1980s I was very much into his work, not just as a musician, but as an artist and actor too. There is not one thing that man can't do. My favorite films he was in included, "The Hunger" and "Merry Xmas Mr. Lawrence" (that also featured the music of Sakamota, who I am also a great fan of).
I had 10th row at Madison Square Garden during his "Serious Moonlight Tour" in 1984. I still have one of the half moon balloons that flew over the stadium during the show.
In 1987, I saw Bowie again at Giant's Stadium in NJ for his "Glass Spider Tour."
And I think it was 1982, Bowie walked right past me at The Ritz in NYC, with some body guards. I heard a loud, strong male voice say, "Everyone move to your left, everyone move to your left!" And there was Bowie, right in front of me. I saw his two different colored eyes, up close.
In 1998 I had tickets again to see Bowie. Unfortunately that night he had layringitis and cancelled his show. Instead, I took a cab down to Irving Plaza and saw Shane MacGowen.
Bowie and Elvis, two beautiful legends who gave the world so much happiness from their music and movies. Bless their souls!