I met George when we were both RKO General a.k.a. 'Drake' program directors. At the time I was in Boston at WRKO and George was at WHBQ in Memphis. George would often regale all the RKO program directors at our annual meetings with stories of growing up with Elvis. He would hold up a flashy ring and proudly tell us about his latest birthday gift from Elvis or the new Cadillac he received for Christmas. George Klein was a member of the "Memphis Mafia" that surrounded Elvis all his life. I remember George describing Elvis as an 'oddball' in the way he dressed and was accepted at school. He would buy purple shirts and other clothes that good ole white boys never wore, opting to shop where black people did. George was recently interviewed by the Voice of America...
Some highlights of the interview include George Klein remembering his buddy: "I miss Elvis immensely and I think of him every day. He was the best friend I ever had. Elvis felt relaxed at Graceland. It's a comfortable home, it really is. When you walk in you feel comfortable, you feel safe and everything. Elvis could sing anything, he always said, 'As long as my voice doesn't fail me I know I'll be in show business." And what was Elvis's favorite music to enjoy when by himself? "It was gospel music" said George. How did Elvis feel about his movie career? George says "Elvis grew disenchanted with his movies. I'd ask him what his new movie was about and he'd say "same story, different location. I beat up the buy, get the girl and sing 12 songs." And what kind of 'girl' did Elvis prefer? "He liked ladies who were normal, everyday girls away from show business."...
If Elvis Presley were alive today he would be 72 years old. Elvis Presley was 42 the day he died in Memphis 30 years ago today. George Klein, one of Elvis's pallbearers the day Elvis was buried closed the interview with a final remembrance of his closest friend, "he was like a brother to me."...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1829] We are Siamese if you please: The original Siamese twins, Chang and Eng Bunker, 18, arrive in Boston to be exhibited to the Western world...
- 1948] "Happy Trails": Babe Ruth loses his battle with throat cancer at 53. The legendary slugger was reduced to a shrunken frame at the time of his passing. His body will lie in state at Yankee Stadium as thousands pay their respects...1977] Elvis Presley dies suddenly at home in Memphis. Cause of death is listed as "coronary arrhythmia." 'The King' was just 42. The world mourns. Here's a 30th year anniversary tribute to Elvis: http://youtube.com/watch?v=XgJa6psPEg4&mode=related&search= ..2003] Idi Amin, former dictator of Uganda dies in exile in Saudi Arabia at 80. The world does not mourn...
- 1954] S.I. sighting: Sports Illustrated publishes its 1st issue (showing Milwaukee star Eddie Matthews at bat on the cover)...
- 1962] Musical chairs: Ringo Starr replaces Pete Best as Beatles drummer. In 2005 Pete Best was interviewed on life with the Beatles: http://youtube.com/watch?v=i_p3tKjy1xA&mode=related&search= ...1975] Peter Gabriel leaves Genesis which leaves lead vocals to Phil Collins...
- 1983] Wedding Bells: Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher rock down the aisle...1985] Madonna and Sean Penn tie the knot...
- 1987] Peace and love: Thousands of people worldwide began a two-day celebration of the "harmonic convergence" which believers called the start of a new, purer age of humankind. Or Woodstock without music...
- 1988] Vote for me: George Bush names Dan Quayle as his running mate...2000] The Democrats choose Al Gore to run for president...
- 1993] Rescue me: A 68-year old manufacturer of tuxedos, Harvey Weinstein, is found buried alive in a bunker near the Hudson River after being kidnapped 12 days earlier. Ransomed for $2 million, the money and suspects are arrested including a longtime employee of the victim...
- 1995] The Union jack forever: Voters in Bermuda reject independence from Great Britain...
- 2003] Busted: A car driven by U.S. Rep. Bill Janklow runs a stop sign on a rural road in South Dakota, collides with a motorcyclist who dies in the accident. Janklow will be convicted of manslaughter and forced to resign from Congress...
Music Memories:
- 1966] Released on this date: "Last Train To Clarksville" - Monkees. Here's the video of the song from an episode of the TV show: http://youtube.com/watch?v=1ISEV3evXwc ...[To ensure accuracy of dates and content, multiple reference sources are used in each timeline]...
Commentary...
One interesting and telling statistic from those that visit Graceland is the demographic of visitors. About half of the visitors making the pilgrimage to Elvis's home in Memphis are 35 or younger. They were either not born or ranged in age from 1 to 5 at the time of Elvis's passing...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Sports interviewer Bonnie Bernstein (37), Steve Carell (44), Timothy Hutton (47), Angela Bassett (49), Madonna (49), 'Titanic' director James Cameron (53), J.T. Taylor (Kool and The Gang) (54), Kathie Lee Gifford (54), Leslie Ann Warren (61), Julie Newmar (74), Eydie Gorme (75), Frank Gifford (77), Robert Culp (77), Ann Blyth (79) and Fess Parker (82)...
Timeline Countdown: 18 days until Labor Day and 21 days until the NFL opener...
