Elvis week, from another perspective?
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Elvis week, from another perspective?
I've been enjoying the various moans and plaudits about Memphis 2007. I thought I'd write a bit about it from perhaps another perspective?
I'm 40, and via my involvement with our local charity Elvis club, I became friends with Darrel almost ten years ago. He's 60 now but is very young at heart. We speak every couple of days on the phone, and sometimes go out for a bite. He lives alone, and hasn't much family to speak of.
He hasn't been lucky in life I suppose. He missed a lot of school as a child because of polio. He is unfortunately still disabled by this.
His wife died early, over ten years ago, (this is starting to sound like 'You Gave Me A Mountain' isn't it?).
Anyway, Darrel is a massive Elvis fan. He doesn't come here, and although he's on the internet he doesn't take part in any forum. Yet he knows as well as anyone here which Elvis album whatever track's on, when it was released (and how much he paid for it!). Despite not having proper schooling, that didn't stop him writing article after article for our fan club newsletter. The editing was sometimes a headache (I was the editor!), but the articles were great, written from the heart.
Darrel goes to Memphis. It takes him five years to save up, so he goes every anniversary, he went in 1997 and 2002, with his best friend Brian. Putting it simply, it's the highlight of his life. Believe me, I know this better than anyone. It's all he talks about, and bringing back presents for people is a big thrill for him.
He was due to go in 2007, but two things happened. He and Brian fell out, over something silly (isn't it always?). Then, about 18 months ago, Darrel had a heart attack and had heart surgery. I visited him in hospital, it was frightening and he was very ill.
His recovery has been slow but sure, and he suffers from the same fate as anyone ill and living alone. Little worries become bigger worries than they should be. I've spent some time with him talking these things through. It's amazing how worries grow when you have no-one to talk to.
Last year he told me he had started saving money to go to Memphis again for the thirtieth anniversary - on his own. . I could tell this both excited and worried him (he never goes anywhere much but town on the bus, I mean, it's quite a trip from England to Tennessee!). I didn't know if it was a good idea, but Darrel made doctors appointments to see if it was okay, and I decided to encourage him. Hell, it means more to him than anything. . he should go, I thought. If he were ill over there would I feel guilty in encouraging him? Perhaps, but how would he feel if he knew he'd never go again?
We've spent the last year talking about it. He's often been excited, sometimes trepidatious. I said to him "I want you to send me a phone picture outside the house. . and then I'll know you've done it and I'll feel so proud of you".
So he went. He's there now, and he couldn't be happier. He's phoned me a few times, and today he sent me, via the phone, that picture of him outside Graceland. The one we talked about. I've put it online, with other pictures he's sent me. I’ve posted the link below. Look at his face - a big kid.
From Memphis he phoned up our local oldies station Smooth Radio , (he listens to this a lot at home in Birmingham) and they put him on the news on the 16th. I, along with thousands, heard him saying "I was worried about going on my own, but I got on the plane a stranger and got off with three hundred friends". I was so pleased for him. In a way, I'm there with him. It seems we've spent the last year planning this holiday together.
And the point?
Don't know if there is one. Except that for every cynical fan (like me), who thinks Elvis week may not be to their taste, there's someone like Darrel, that loves it without prejudice, and will overcome all barriers life throws up to get there.
That's it. Bit of a ramble but I thought it worth writing up.
http://suaveharv.com/d.htm
I'm 40, and via my involvement with our local charity Elvis club, I became friends with Darrel almost ten years ago. He's 60 now but is very young at heart. We speak every couple of days on the phone, and sometimes go out for a bite. He lives alone, and hasn't much family to speak of.
He hasn't been lucky in life I suppose. He missed a lot of school as a child because of polio. He is unfortunately still disabled by this.
His wife died early, over ten years ago, (this is starting to sound like 'You Gave Me A Mountain' isn't it?).
Anyway, Darrel is a massive Elvis fan. He doesn't come here, and although he's on the internet he doesn't take part in any forum. Yet he knows as well as anyone here which Elvis album whatever track's on, when it was released (and how much he paid for it!). Despite not having proper schooling, that didn't stop him writing article after article for our fan club newsletter. The editing was sometimes a headache (I was the editor!), but the articles were great, written from the heart.
Darrel goes to Memphis. It takes him five years to save up, so he goes every anniversary, he went in 1997 and 2002, with his best friend Brian. Putting it simply, it's the highlight of his life. Believe me, I know this better than anyone. It's all he talks about, and bringing back presents for people is a big thrill for him.
He was due to go in 2007, but two things happened. He and Brian fell out, over something silly (isn't it always?). Then, about 18 months ago, Darrel had a heart attack and had heart surgery. I visited him in hospital, it was frightening and he was very ill.
His recovery has been slow but sure, and he suffers from the same fate as anyone ill and living alone. Little worries become bigger worries than they should be. I've spent some time with him talking these things through. It's amazing how worries grow when you have no-one to talk to.
Last year he told me he had started saving money to go to Memphis again for the thirtieth anniversary - on his own. . I could tell this both excited and worried him (he never goes anywhere much but town on the bus, I mean, it's quite a trip from England to Tennessee!). I didn't know if it was a good idea, but Darrel made doctors appointments to see if it was okay, and I decided to encourage him. Hell, it means more to him than anything. . he should go, I thought. If he were ill over there would I feel guilty in encouraging him? Perhaps, but how would he feel if he knew he'd never go again?
We've spent the last year talking about it. He's often been excited, sometimes trepidatious. I said to him "I want you to send me a phone picture outside the house. . and then I'll know you've done it and I'll feel so proud of you".
So he went. He's there now, and he couldn't be happier. He's phoned me a few times, and today he sent me, via the phone, that picture of him outside Graceland. The one we talked about. I've put it online, with other pictures he's sent me. I’ve posted the link below. Look at his face - a big kid.
From Memphis he phoned up our local oldies station Smooth Radio , (he listens to this a lot at home in Birmingham) and they put him on the news on the 16th. I, along with thousands, heard him saying "I was worried about going on my own, but I got on the plane a stranger and got off with three hundred friends". I was so pleased for him. In a way, I'm there with him. It seems we've spent the last year planning this holiday together.
And the point?
Don't know if there is one. Except that for every cynical fan (like me), who thinks Elvis week may not be to their taste, there's someone like Darrel, that loves it without prejudice, and will overcome all barriers life throws up to get there.
That's it. Bit of a ramble but I thought it worth writing up.
http://suaveharv.com/d.htm
Last edited by Swithin StCleeve on Tue Oct 23, 2007 2:59 am, edited 2 times in total.
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WOW...that's a Heartwarming Story. Safe Journey Home Darrel.
I saw Elvis live in concert the year before he died. Even then, he was bigger than life, and had amazing charisma. Haven't seen anything like it since, ....until Adam.........Nocturnal 2010
No matter how old you are, no matter who you sleep with, no matter what color your skin is, we can all party together.” - Adam Lambert 2010
No matter how old you are, no matter who you sleep with, no matter what color your skin is, we can all party together.” - Adam Lambert 2010
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Excellent! If you (or anyone) want to send him a message you could use the feedback section on his myspace blog. He's written a Tupelo update while he's been in the statesDave the Rave wrote:Had the priveledge of meeting Darrell and Brian in EW 2002..glad he made it this year!!
http://tinyurl.com/26mtqy
He's love a few responses from fellow fans to read when he gets back!
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Topic author
An update on this thread, Darrel's been writing up his Memphis memories and links and some of the text is here.
http://groovyelvis.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
http://groovyelvis.blogspot.com/
Cheers!
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
i would like to thank Richard for his kind words about me mind you it turns out they are not true i'm just a run of the mill Elvis fan and the world is covered with us guys and gals , i have just been one of the lucky ones who have been to Memphis but its not about how many times you have been to Graceland or how many records you have in your collection it's all to do with if you feel a love for the music of the king nothing else matters .
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
exactly as richard "swithin stcleeve" said: "The editing was sometimes a headache...", hardly a punctuation mark in the whole break!darrel wrote:i would like to thank Richard for his kind words about me mind you it turns out they are not true i'm just a run of the mill Elvis fan and the world is covered with us guys and gals , i have just been one of the lucky ones who have been to Memphis but its not about how many times you have been to Graceland or how many records you have in your collection it's all to do with if you feel a love for the music of the king nothing else matters .
but anyway, thank you for bringing the thread up again, since i haven´t read it yet.
i´d like to send you a warm welcome from germany to britain and i´m sure, that i´m not the only one, who´d feel glad, if you´d participate in our forum, sharing your views and taste with everyone of us.
i specially liked this one:
once again, feel welcome here, darrel!darrel wrote: ... its not about how many times you have been to Graceland or how many records you have in your collection it's all to do with if you feel a love for the music of the king nothing else matters .
by another run-of-the-mill, who didn´t even have the privilege of visiting memphis yet!
Give a man a fish and he´ll have dinner for a day.
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
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Topic author
Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
You're not to hot on capitals yourself there buddy!Christopher wrote: hardly a punctuation mark in the whole break!
!
Thanks for the nice message though. I was in Germany for the first time earlier this year. . a very brief stop over in Frankfurt.
Ya ya, ya ya!
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
that´s something different, richard!Swithin StCleeve wrote: You're not to hot on capitals yourself there buddy!
i´m a capital-denier, don´t see no use for it in internet-communication,
and even if i wasn´t, im allowed to it, since i´m no native speaker!
been to frankfurt?? that´s my hometown!
anyway, i hoped you liked germany
and don´t forget to brief me next time you stop by-
otherwise you´ll miss the chance to get a first-class-sightseeing-tour to bad nauheim, sleepy little friedberg and maybe even the francfort-special-tour! ain´t that offers, pal?
Give a man a fish and he´ll have dinner for a day.
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
ah ... i forgot,
if you´d really do, bring darrel along, too!
if you´d really do, bring darrel along, too!
Give a man a fish and he´ll have dinner for a day.
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
Teach a man how to fish and he´ll have dinner for a lifetime!
(signature borrowed from treasured fecc member lovin´ EP Linda ... until she wants it back)
More important than ever: https://blacklivesmatter.com/
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
Welcome to the Forum Darrel.darrel wrote:i would like to thank Richard for his kind words about me mind you it turns out they are not true i'm just a run of the mill Elvis fan and the world is covered with us guys and gals , i have just been one of the lucky ones who have been to Memphis but its not about how many times you have been to Graceland or how many records you have in your collection it's all to do with if you feel a love for the music of the king nothing else matters .
I saw Elvis live in concert the year before he died. Even then, he was bigger than life, and had amazing charisma. Haven't seen anything like it since, ....until Adam.........Nocturnal 2010
No matter how old you are, no matter who you sleep with, no matter what color your skin is, we can all party together.” - Adam Lambert 2010
No matter how old you are, no matter who you sleep with, no matter what color your skin is, we can all party together.” - Adam Lambert 2010
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Re: Elvis week, from another perspective?
I missed this thread the first time around. Very interesting read! Thank you for sharing it. Darrell--welcome to the board!