Death Week

August is a special time in Memphis. I lived there for years and August was always an interesting time. Except the year this young man actually died.

I don't remember how old I was. Young, that's for sure, but when my friend down the street told me that Elvis died, I punched him in the face! Memphis holds a strange relationship with Elvis, always has. Most Memphians will tell you that they have never been to Graceland. When he was alive, there were many stories of Elvis renting a movie theater for his friends, or showing up at a local convenience store and buying all of the donuts, or going into a local dealer and buying all of the Coupe de Villes on the lot.

It isn't really a love/hate thing. Most residents like Elvis. They considered him a good ole' boy that "done real good." There isn't the devotion that you find around the rest of the world though, Elvis has just always been part of the background.

So, whenever a relative or friend would come to town, they would always mention Graceland. Personally, I felt obligated to show them around so we would drag our sorry butts down to ogle the shag green carpet in the Jungle Room, the gold buckles on the seat belts in the "Lisa Marie", and wonder why one man needed so many TVs.

Death Week is the week that Elvis died (It didn't take him a week to die, you know what I mean.) Over the years, it has turned into an event with concerts and a candle light vigil. One year a friend of mine was in town and wanted to go to Graceland during Death Week. It was amazing! There were thousands of people from all over the world. The line for the vigil wrapped around the block and people didn't think twice about standing in 95 degree heat to carry a candle past a dead man's grave and weep.

The ultimate entertainment has always been the various impersonators that show up. They are swarmed by fans like they are the real deal. I remember in particular going around a corner and there was a man dressed in black leather like Elvis was in his come back special. He had the hair perfect and the leather was just right, even to the wrist bands. He was surrounded by a crowd of women from Germany screaming "Elvis, Elvis" kissing him and begging for his autograph. What made it so surreal was that this man was obviously Asian and didn't look a thing like Elvis.

So take time out to pause and think about a man that has affected so many people around the world. It's a shame he went out the way he did. Rest In Peace Elvis.

Taking Care Of Business.