Elvis during "Aloha from Hawaii." More people watched this concert than did the landing on the moon.
Today is Elvis' birthday and to celebrate his birthday I thought I'd share a few family stories about Elvis (everyone from Memphis has an "Elvis Story")
My Uncle Bob actually grew up with Elvis so these stories come from him.
Story #1:
My uncle's parents worked all the time which meant Uncle Bob was home by himself a lot when he was growing up. Uncle Bob and Elvis lived in the same project in Memphis called Lauderdale Courts (located next door to St. Jude). To be a bit more specific, Uncle Bob lived in the apartment above Elvis and his family. Because Uncle Bob was usually home by himself around dinner time Elvis would usually stick his head out the window and yell upstairs, "Robert! Robert! Hey, do you want to come down here and have dinner with us?" Being a kid, alone and hungry, Uncle Bob normally would say yes. My Uncle Bob had dinner with Elvis on a regular basis when they were growing up.
Story #2:
The boys in the neighborhood had this little 5 and Dime place they would hangout at after school and one day Uncle Bob walked into to the little restaurant to meet up with Elvis and the gang. When Uncle Bob walked in Elvis was sitting on the table playing his guitar. Teasing each other like boys do my uncle said, "Elvis, it's a shame you won't make a living playing the guitar."
I don't think I have ever heard my dad laugh as hard as he did the first time Uncle Bob told us this story.
Story #3:
Uncle Bob followed Elvis' career way before he became famous and obviously followed it when he became the King of Rock 'n Roll. One day my uncle was out driving around and found himself close to Graceland so he thought he'd stop in a catch up with Elvis. When he got close to the house Elvis' dad was outside. His dad recognized Uncle Bob and told him Elvis would be down in a minute. Since they were outside Elvis dad said, "Robert, while we wait on Elvis have a seat." His dad pointed to Elvis' purple Cadillac. My uncle actually sat in Elvis' Cadillac.
Story #4:
One day while Uncle Bob was walking around downtown Memphis a limo pulled up beside him and Elvis rolled down the window, shook Uncle Bob's hand, asked how he was doing and they talked for a few minutes. When ever Elvis would see Uncle Bob he always made sure he stopped and talked with him.
Story #5:
My uncle worked at one of the gift shops/collector shops across the street from Graceland. Uncle Bob got word that one of Elvis' fans who had painted his van with Elvis pictures and who had basically turned his van into an Elvis shrine was going to bring it by Graceland for Elvis to see. So, on that day when my uncle went to work he took his home movie camera to film it. Uncle Bod looked across the road and noticed an ambulance in the driveway. He quickly got his camera and filmed. He thought something had happened to Elvis' dad since he was there. He filmed the paramedics wheeling a covered body from Graceland to the ambulance. The year was 1977, the day was August 16. My uncle has on film the paramedics taking Elvis' body from Graceland to the ambulance.
Uncle Bob died a few years ago so there is no telling what other stories he had about Elvis. My brother spent a lot of time with Uncle Bob so I'm sure Kevin knows more Elvis stories. I'm sure today Uncle Bob and Elvis are celebrating Elvis' birthday and telling stories of "back in the day."
