45 Years Ago At Graceland

Above, Elvis Presley's grave at Graceland. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Big news events happen in every generation. 

People will generally remember where they were and what they were doing upon hearing a big news story. This happened when the news hit about Pearl Harbor, JFK's assassination, 9/11 and the death of Elvis Presley.

Above, returning home from a dental appointment at 12:29 am on August 16. One of the last known photos of Elvis Presley.

Tuesday, August 16, 1977 was a relatively quiet summer day. It was warm, but humid out as there was a monsoon flow coming up from Mexico into the Los Angeles area.

I was at home in Hawthorne watching a James Cagney comedy movie, One, Two, Three (1961) that was directed by Billy Wilder. It would be a couple of hours later that I would have to go to work in Redondo Beach. My mother was outside working in the yard.

Above, Memphis newspapers from 45 years ago at Sun Studio. Photo by Armand Vaquer

A news bulletin interrupted the movie. It was announced that singer Elvis Presley had been found unresponsive at his Graceland mansion on Elvis Presley Blvd. in Memphis, Tennessee and was rushed by ambulance to Baptist Memorial Hospital, where efforts to revive him failed and he was pronounced dead.

After hearing the bulletin, I rushed outside to tell my mother, who was a big Elvis fan.

Later, when I went to work, it began to rain. It was strangely appropriate. It was a strange day all around.

In many respects, it is hard to believe that 45 years have passed.

For an interesting article on the state of Presley's health during his final months of life, go here.