The Adventures of Dooley and Me Part 18 - Tupelo, Dooley and Elvis!

Tupelo, Dooley, and Elvis,

August 16, 1977 …  I had just moved out of my parents house into my new apartment, I had a job and my new found freedom, my mom cried when I left the house, 3 minutes away from where I’d lived the past 22 years of my life, (except for in and out during college.) Someone was knocking on my door, persistently. I opened the door and met my across the hall neighbor, he was very close to crying, watery eyes, head down …

 “Are you okay?” I asked.

“Naw, man, I can’t believe it! …  Elvis is dead!”

“What … how?”

“They found him dead at Graceland, that’s all I know”

“Sorry dude, … here … let’s drink a beer for Elvis …”

“Naw … no … I’ve got to call my Mom, this is gonna break her heart …”

That’s how I got the news about Elvis. He was supposed to play in concert in Columbus about two weeks after that. Instead we played a live album of his on the radio the night  of the now canceled concert … Complete with  Scott Miller adding his impersonation of Elvis saying “Thank ya, thank ya Colum-mus”.

As we were passing through Tupelo Mississippi on our way out west, we decided to visit the Birthplace of the King himself. Apparently, after Elvis had become a gazillionaire, He purchased the two-room house on the wrong side of the tracks,  and most of the land around it to make a nice park for the folks who lived there. Now there’s his house, a nice park, and a museum. Plus plenty of parking for tour buses and tourists.

We learned a lot about Elvis’ childhood and his life. I didn’t know Elvis had a twin brother who died at birth, or that he came in fifth in a song contest when he was ten years old. He stood in a chair to reach the microphone.

Spending a few hours in the presence of Elvis’ costumes, posters, sunglasses, life size cardboard stand ups, t-shirts, jewelry, coasters, key rings, socks, shoes, music, can be intoxicating. I wanted one of each! Dooley was particularly interested in Nipper, the RCA dog. He wanted some Elvis treats, and I developed  a strong craving for a Jelly Donut!  😊