Where Were You When Elvis Left The Building?

[Goose55]

Curious. Where were you, and what were your circumstances when Elvis died way back in the late 70s?

I was a young one sowing wild oats in Phoenix, AZ. He actually had a Phoenix, AZ Concert where people were camped out 2 days before tickets went on sale. But, I gave up on that.

[Del]

August 16, 1977.


I was 16. And enjoying a magical summer with my first real girlfriend.

We didn't take much notice of Elvis's departure.

[Stanley76]

Elvis who?

[Goose55]

Elvis who?

Pitiful. So pitiful.

[AFRS]

Elvis who?

Costello, of course.

[424cat]

My wife saw Elvis in Las Vegas. I only know the story, I'm sure she remembers what day it was. She's good with dates like that. We got married on Valentines Day because I'm not good with dates.

[Fainn]

They had an impersonater at a Guitar Center opening. Morleyian levels of amusement.

[sweetandsour]

I'll never forget, I walked into our apartment and my young wife said, "Hey Baby, Elvis died!". When we were in high school she went with her church youth group to the Houston Livestock Show to see Elvis. I didn't go, due to a conflicting hunting trip, and I've never lived that down for over 50 years now.

[JimVH]

This may be the most repeated story my folks ever told:

Mom and dad had front row seats to see him in Vegas. Elvis leaned down to give mom a kiss and she turned her head and shook his hand instead. She didn’t want to be disrespectful to my dad.

Dad looked at her and said “Kiss him! Do you know what I paid for these tickets?!”

[durangopipe]

This may be the most repeated story my folks ever told:

Mom and dad had front row seats to see him in Vegas. Elvis leaned down to give mom a kiss and she turned her head and shook his hand instead. She didn’t want to be disrespectful to my dad.

Dad looked at her and said “Kiss him! Do you know what I paid for these tickets?!”

Great story!

[FredS]

I was teenager at home. My mom's very best friend Louise came to our house sobbing to share the news with my mother. I still have a mental image of fat-Elvis rolling off a toilet and dying in a heap on the floor.

I now realize Elvis was the best singer ever and I shouldn't have been so flippant over his death.

[tuttle]

I don't remember.

I was -5.

[Del]

I don't remember.

I was -5.

OMG! You're almost 40?

Time to start looking your age, kid!

(Unless you are planning to leave early, like Elvis)

[durangopipe]

Elvis isn’t dead ...

[Roadmaster]

I was recently discharged from the Air Force driving a new Chevy pickup that I just bought when the news came over truck's AM radio. Elvis was very recently in Springfield, Mo and had a single on the charts, WAYDOWN. The first time I heard said single there was something about it that caused me to think Elvis was in trouble. As it turned out he was indeed. A dirt poor southern boy that rose to the top. All things considered he handled it pretty well.

[Bloodhound]

[Bloodhound]

I was 14. My mom was a big fan...I knew music then...but Elvis was way down the list...I had the Eagles, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac...I knew who he was but he wasn't on my play list. I remember my mom being really upset.

[Gabriel]

My memory on it is pretty fuzzy as I was almost 5 months old. I can’t imagine I was very broken up about it though.

[Goose55]

I was 14. My mom was a big fan...I knew music then...but Elvis was way down the list...I had the Eagles, Chicago, Fleetwood Mac...I knew who he was but he wasn't on my play list. I remember my mom being really upset.

Upset that Elvis died or that he wasn't on your play list; or both?

[AFRS]

I was 14. Mucking about at a friends house. His mom burst into tears and explained that the King was dead. I knew that we had a Queen, so I was a bit confused. Then I realized: Elvis the Pelvis. I thought it a bit odd a 30 something woman in Armpit Alberta was so grief stricken over a musician from Memphis. I've never really understood women.

They are weird.