august 16, 1977
When I was home in ME, someone reminded me that it was the 10th anniversary of Garcia’s death (8/9/95). I couldn’t believe it had been 10 years. He was the King for me.
I remember this day very clearly. I had a high school friend who was a total Elvis nut; and Elvis was passè in those days. I heard the news about Elvis’ death on the car radio and stopped to tell my friend who was working as a sacker in a grocery store. He was in total disbelief. As I recall, it was a drizzly, cloudy day, which seemed appropriate to the spirit of the occasion.
Even back then (I was fourteen) I remember thinking, “Man, what a waste…” I felt sorry for Elvis legions of fans but had trouble feeling sorry for him. Actually, I was pissed at him. Stupid, stupid waste…
TG
After touring Graceland a couple of years ago I realized that he wasn’t just part of American culture, he was - and is- American culture. His death was not really his fault; he lived in a bubble created by a bunch of bloodsuckers who used him and his talent. I used to have this impression of him as an ego driven fool who brought on his own death. Now I see him as a tragic figure, used, but a person with integrity and compassion. Sounds sappy, perhaps, but there you are.
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Wasn’t hat true for Norma Jean (MM) as well ? (Well for the most part - I don’t know about the integrity and compassion part - but then I’m too young and not american to know much about this)
But I get the same feeling about the king.
It’s sad when fame like that just drop you into a world you don’t know, surrounded by people who doesn’t really care for you…
W.
I know what you mean, Wihan and Tom. You have to remember that they (Elvis and MM) allowed these things to happen to them. At some point, one has to stand up and say “Hey! This is not right and I am not going to allow it to happen at whatever the cost.” Personal integrity is much more valuable than fame and fortune. What a waste…
TG
Both very, very talented people used and destroyed by other people. Why they didn’t stand up and say “stop” is a troubling quesiton, I agree, TG. 
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- J. Lennon
He was fairly popular over here, and there were/are some absolute fanatics, but he was never as big here as he was over there.
His death didn’t really mean much to me, not nearly as much a shock as the deaths of Mooney nor Lennon which followed within a very few years.
I was in a pub in London just off the Edgeware Road, when someone walked on stage and spoke to the singer. There was a pause of a few minutes, the he walked back to the mic, and told us that Keith Moon was dead. Just absolute silence and a sense of disbelief.
Lennon’s death was even more of a shock, and even more pointless.
Ali
That’s a #### of a quote there, Mike.
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It’s still a shock for me. Sometimes I can’t even believe that it really happened (even though I know that it did).
Yeah that’s old Lennon for you Tom!