THE TEENAGE YEARS
In 1973 I was flipping channels on my TV when I happened to come across this Special called
Elvis, Aloha From Hawaii.  Watching this concert had such a strong impact on me as a 13 year old teen.  Oh man, Elvis dressed in a white Eagle jumpsuit, jet black hair, so distinctive looking with those sideburns.  Singing so powerful and confident....and the girls screaming his name, what was I to think? Whew, I will never forget the words I said...."that's what I want to be when I grow up"!


1975
Just 2 years after becoming an Elvis fan I discovered the best benefit of having the King as an idol.........

GIRLS!


Met these 2 girls camping in the Redwood Forest.


1977
My first car.
1972 Ford Pinto
( I loved that car!)

They say everybody remembers where they were and what they were doing the day Elvis died back in August 16, 1977.  I was at home replacing the timing belt on that beautiful red Pinto.  While listening to the radio they announced that !@*^@ Presley had died.  I assumed they said Vernon.  It wasn't until my friend called me that evening and broke the
news.  Since then I don't think a day has ever gone by without me thinking about Elvis.  To me, that is just the most amazing thing that I could never begin to explain..... why my mind has continued to think of him for over 30 years.  He was and will always be my mentor and hero.



The Standard
Elvis
Look

Notice the High collar.  Shirt must always be opened to show the chest.  Long sleeves always rolled up.
In 1976 in a "Movie Magazine" I saw a picture of Elvis walking on the grounds of Graceland. 
  
He was wearing a long sleeve shirt with the sleeves neatly folded up.  This became a standard look of mine for many years as you will see in some of the other pictures coming up.



1978
Elvis did many beach pictures and I also loved the beach.  This picture was taken after surfing at Newport Beach, California.

Notice the wetsuit is unzipped
(to show the chest).


My Girlfriend
1977
Korin Howard
Every bit as beautiful as Pricilla.

The year 1977 was the most rememberable year I can recall, other than the years when my children were born.  The worst thing that happened was Elvis passing away.  I had so many plans of driving to Las Vegas to see his shows, driving to Memphis to maybe get a glimpse of him at Graceland, but that all came to a shocking, screaching halt!  But before the year was out, (well actually the last day of the year) I asked Korin to Knotts Berry Farm (a theme Park) for a New Years Eve Celebration.  That night a bond of eternal love and friendship happened in an explosion of fireworks. (Remember... I was at a theme park on New Years Eve?)  By mid 1978 we wound up going in different directions, kept in touch whenever possible and then through many "twist of fates" we finally married on
September 5, 1991
and we're still goin' strong. 

1986
My first Trip to Graceland

9 years after Elvis died I was finally able to go pay my respects to The King! 
A few thoughts that I will never forget::
"Before Elvis there was nothing".  John Lennon
"Besides Jesus Christ, he was the greatess man who ever walked the earth". JD Sumner, Stamps Quartet
What kind of person must one be, for others to make such comments that powerful?  Man, I wish I knew that answer.

       
Oh yeah, make no mistake that is me.  26 years old.


My first pair of Elvis Sunglasses. 
It was the one item that I was not going home without.

Man, E and I look so much alike I think we are related!



Ok, so I went to Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Records Studio, and was just about ready to head back to the AmTrack Station to return to Southern California when I befriended a band playing outdoors at the
Blue Suede Shoes Saloon.
Let it be know that I played Memphis back in 1986.......Here's the proof.

        


Oh, I only had time to sing one song.....so I sang
POLK SALAD ANNIE!

Crowd loved it.....not nearly as much as I did!

1988 
ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST
RANDY


            


I was sitting in a local bar one night listening to this great band playing when all of the sudden the drum roll came and out walked Elvis Presley!  Wow!  I could not believe my eyes, had Elvis returned or what?  Randy and I became great friends for a short period of time.  We would hang out together and go bar hopping.  The one thing that made Randy very mad is that I would go over to a table of beautiful girls and ask them if they would like to meet Elvis Presley.  No girl ever said no...it was the greatest pick up line I ever used.  Much to my surprise, Randy did not really care to be likened to Elvis nor did he really care for his music.  He was just born with the natural looks and voice but was wanting so bad to do his own style of music but could not break away from the easy money that followed him as Elvis.  From that moment on I never assume that because someone looks, sounds and acts like Elvis means that he is fan.  I believe when you are a fan first you add a dimension to your show that sets you apart from the rest.  Like I said, we were friends for a "short" period of time....very short!

I can't quite remember exactly what I liked about the beard????
1989 
           

On Stage somewhere in Fresno, California

How Old, you ask?  29

More to come