ELVIS & THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE!

Elvis Presley's final television concert was taped in June, 1977--a week before his final appearance at Market Square Arena in Indianapolis, Indiana (June 26, 1977). CBS executives reportedly saw the post-production footage and elected to hold off airing it until Elvis was able to get his body back in shape and return to health. Few knew how serious his health situation was. After his death in August, 1977 CBS executives deliberated about what to do with the film footage. The outpouring of grief from his fans was so overwhelming that the special was re-edited to air nationwide on October 3, 1977 breaking all records for public viewing. Seeing this years ago was quite a shock for me. I didn't recognize the Elvis from my childhood. It had been only four years earlier that Elvis looked in peak form at age 38 during his "Aloha Via Satellite from Hawaii" concert that was beamed to 31 countries around the world--a first-ever. Rapid City, South Dakota was chosen largely because Elvis had never appeared there before and producers wanted to capture audience responses on camera that were favorable to Elvis changed appearance.

-

Last weekend I went to see "This Is It"-- a documentary about the preparations and rehearsals involving Michael Jackson for what was to have been his 50 concert gig in England. It was very well done and not at all a sad occasion for me as much as it offered a glimpse at where Michael was in his professional life. I have two thoughts about al of this.

-

First, it is so human and so easy to take life for granted and the simpler pleasures that happen to us. Protege's friend Leah, at South Breeze Farm has started hosting a "Giving Thanks Challenge", which I have accepted. I will post a single-sentence on each blog post listing something I am grateful for during this month of Thanksgiving.

-

Lastly, Everyone has their own life and their own cross to bear. Some crosses are heavier than others. Having visited Graceland (Elvis' home in Memphis) twice, I could appreciate the immense wealth and fame this man had amassed. I also felt that it must have been suffocating to be isolated from the rest of the world because of his fame. Sheryl Crow once said that "We've learned how not to tour from Elvis" and she wasn't being disparaging. It was spoken with compassion. Elvis' eight years of grueling non-stop cross-country touring was handled very differently back in the 1970's from today's artists. In this brief film footage, Elvis is seen back stage only 6 weeks before his death at 42 years. I am not in the judgment business. Like Michael Jackson, 51, Elvis made many mistakes. But Elvis was also exceedingly generous to others in need (philanthropically) and watching this, I was struck with the courage it took to perform onstage when he was so obviously ill. He tried to capture the energy and the enthusiasm to be his personal best for his fans. The musical introduction, "Also sprach Zarathustra" (from the Stanley Kubrick film, "2001 A Space Odyssey") was a trademark opening for every Elvis stadium concert. This began during 1969--a year after he completed 31 motion pictures and returned to live performing. Whether you are a fan or not, this footage reminds me of the drive within each of us to do our best as we wake up and greet the day every morning. This itself is a gift. In the film, road manager Joe Esposito leans forward to whisper to Elvis to be careful walking out on stage, and you can see Elvis look at him and nod in acknowledgement. What a metaphor for life!

-

Thanksgiving: I am grateful for the Hope we receive from the people who inspire us in our lives who carry crosses bigger than ours.