August 16th

[Lonniebealestreet]

I watched all of Omaha '77 and some of Rapid City during the wee small hours this morning. I haven't decided what to do this evening.

(And by the way, I maintain that Omaha is a much better show than most people seem to think!)

[Sonny]

I will go with that, Bobby. Omaha seems like the better show of the two. But maybe it has something to do with the fact that the Omaha tape is complete and on Rapid City some segments (intro's for instance) are missing.

Some folks might not think that's a big deal, but I do feel it's an important (and very nice) part of the later Elvis show. Especially when you can finally see the complete thing, after hearing it on records and cd's for so long...

Rene

[MIElvis]

28 years ago I had taken this day off from work to get car serviced. Been a fan since 1969.
I had just seen Elvis in concert in April at Detroit and Ann Arbor. I turned the news at 5 pm and heard the awful reports. Then my phone began ringing off the hook. I couldn't believe it!
Since then I still work the same job and I have never worked that day again I am always off and mnay times in Memphis. I will retire next year so 30 years at work but I always honored Elvis by not working and reflecting on what he meant to me on this day.
Remember 8+16+1977=2001 Elvis always the KING!

[cutiepie]

Hi

I just watched That's the way it is, for the first time. I'm thrilled, happy,...and sad, all at the same time!

[NEA]

Hi Cutes,

A great watching and listening first time experience eh?

Did you watch it on TCM on Cable or have you specially bought the DVD?

NEA.

[cutiepie]

Hi NEA

I don't have the TCM channel in my area, unfortuantely! I have been buying the DVDs from Amazon. Oddly enough, I don't enjoy re-watching anything, and yet watched my Elvis movies from beginning to end, several times! I admit I'm obsessed, although my sister says I might just be "posessed"!

This might be a little off topic, but on the DVD for TTWII, I watched the trailer on the "special features"section, and saw that Elvis sang Bridge Over Troubled Water and (I think) a Neil Diamond song...and it was not in the show on the DVD itself! Am I missing something?

Thanks!

[Lonniebealestreet]

TTWII for the first time is indeed an awesome experience!

That's very respectable, MIElvis.

Sonny, I have thought about that before and you are right for sure that the viewing experience is greatly enhanced by the completeness of Omaha. I think it's that and more, though.

The show does start out a little slow, but a few songs into it, he takes things up a notch and there ends up being a number of fine performances, in my opinion. Another plus for me is that he seems to struggle considerably less with his speech in Omaha than in Rapid City.

When I first got the EIC CD, the performance I was most enamored with for quite some time was And I Love You So.

[Lildarling]

I have to agree...an unforgettable feeling...I've got chills everytime I'm watching it

[NEA]

Cutes,

"Bridge" & "Sweet Caroline" along with "I Just Can't Help Believin' " were from the original "TTWII" documentary in 1970. They were not included in the Special Edition version from 2000 possibly due to copyright problems...or it was decided to cut these songs along with the Fan interviews to make room for other new material?

I think we are all hoping that they shall release the deluxe DVD version of "TTWII" one day in order for us to have both versions of the documentary or at least a longer version of the special edition that includes these great performances of the aforementioned songs.

Cheers,

NEA.

[carolynlm]

It's now the morning of the 17th, when 28 years ago the news startd filtering through. I was living in a very remote part of Australia, so the news was a bit late getting to me via the telephone. I was pregnant at the time, so the family was hesitant in letting me have the news. I remember it vividly, I wouldn't believe anything they said, and I told them it was a cruel joke to play. No-one left my side for days.....

[iloveelvis05]

Even though it was yesterday...I will still tell ya'll how I contributed to the day of Elvis' death.

~ On the night of August 15th, I watched the AOL & Elvis.com VigilCast live from Graceland.
~ On the day of his death, I wore one of my Elvis shirts all day.
~ I listened to my "Love, Elvis" CD.
~ I posted a blog and a bulletin on my MySpace page about the event.
~ That night, my boyfriend and I watched "Blue Hawaii" together over the phone.
~ I slept in my "Viva Las Vegas" t-shirt that night.

God bless the King.

[MIElvis]

TTWII for the first time is indeed an awesome experience!

That's very respectable, MIElvis.

Sonny, I have thought about that before and you are right for sure that the viewing experience is greatly enhanced by the completeness of Omaha. I think it's that and more, though.

The show does start out a little slow, but a few songs into it, he takes things up a notch and there ends up being a number of fine performances, in my opinion. Another plus for me is that he seems to struggle considerably less with his speech in Omaha than in Rapid City.

When I first got the EIC CD, the performance I was most enamored with for quite some time was And I Love You So.

Thank You Lonnie the man meant the world too me. I'm glad I was there to see him in concert 6 different times and will never forgot the joy every time there was a new record in the stores. I still have em all.

[hatice1969]

ep4 that was beuatiful, sorry englisch is very bad at night because i am at work now.
i write elvis poems 2, englisch AND DUTCH

[TCBGIRL]

Although Elvis is played daily tomorrow will be slightly different.In the morning I play early Elvis and late afternoon the 70's Elvis. I have posted my message on the virtual wall and plan to watch the live vigilcast on AOL.

Also I have written a poem remembering Elvis...

Born in a shack in 35
a child was born the twin that survived
They called him Elvis why such a name?
maybe a thought this child would have power and fame,
not a power of greed or ungratefulness,
but the power of change music and dress.
Why am I different I just need to know
so open my mouth and just let it flow.
For I can do this just give it a go.
This was the begining of something so true
one man and his music of RHYTHM and BLUES
A look that was different bold and would shock
giving birth to the music of which is called rock.
Rock had a roll and so it would be
It started right then with
Elvis Presley.
The loss of his mother was so hard to bare
a young man in grief and a world that share
OH lord give him the strengh to carry on
for his life is not over but as only just begun.
Time would then pass exceptence was mine
Hit records and films all soldiered in line.
Now he is a father of a sweet baby girl
So precious a gift more precious than pearls
But life with her mother was just not to be
a separation was here he just did not see.
Life was for living and so it would be
What was held for the future could not be forseen.
For on August 16th in the year 77
God called for Elvis and took him to heaven.
You have done what I asked and now is the time
to come up to heaven and be a star that will shine
above all those people whose lives you have changed.
Elvis Presley the star that will always remain.

"I Believe" that In the "Mansion Over The Hill Top" "Where No one Stands Alone"
Elvis was "In The Garden" singing "Lead Me Guide Me" for I have his "Hand In Mine"
So Put "Put Your Hand In The Hand" and "Reach Out To Jesus"
for"This Is A Thing Called Love" and just "How Great Thou Art"

Written by Susan Parry on August 14th 2005


love and peace,
Susan.

Wow!Very beautiful.Brought tears to my eyes.Alot of feelings there.Thank you for sharing this poem with us.
God Bless you

TCBGIRL

[Broussey]

Well i get everyone out of the house. light my candle , Most years they have a elvis Marathon on t.v and if they don't i watch my movies and chat on elvis sites , i have a all day Elvis day

[Elvistcbkirch]

Getting closer? Still five months to go, and you're allready going in august.16-mode? Well, since its not an anniversary-year and since its a wednesday (CET), I might forget it, but if I remember, I'll ask people on my way, if they know, what happened 31 years ago. If they cant deliever a quick answer, I wont talk to those people anymore....

[yvonne]

I always try to be in Memphis that time of year. If I'm not I always take the day off from work and play his music, read books about him and in the evening watch his concerts or films on DVD.
This day is and always be very special to me.

[Rising Sun]

August 16th is very special day for me, I think I will do pretty much the same as last year...Light a few candles for him, watch some of the movies, maybe watch tv a bit, I don't know if they put anything on this year
and of course I will listen to his music all day long.

I wish I could be in Memphis for Elvis week, this is one of my biggest dreams and I know that someday it will come true

[Lisarose]

Thanks for the reminder - I think this year I'll take two days off [may as well get paid to honor Elvis] - I should do that as soon as possible because August is usually a "black-out" month for us at work. I would love to be in Memphis, but I know I couldn't pull that off. I'll watch a marathon of Elvis movies, go to my favorite hamburger place, Fuddrucker's and sit in the Elvis booth and re-read one of my many Elvis books.

[TotallyInsane]

I think I'll go into a self induced coma to get through it!!!