Aug 18 2009
Elvis, John and Michael
To many Elvis fans, it seemed rather odd that hardly anyone honored, or even mentioned, the King of Rock’s death on its 32nd anniversary a couple of days ago.
Perhaps it was that, as one TRR reader put it as part of a remark about Elvis’ death-day remembrance: “… in view of Michael Jackson’s recent death (honoring) it just didn’t seem right.”
In a way, she’s right. But, then again, does anyone remember how Presley died??
It was from an overdose of medication — prescribed by his doctor, George “Dr. Nick” Nichopoulos.
Now … how did Michael die?
It was (and, here, I must add the disclaimer “allegedly” until the autopsy reports are officially released) from an overdose of medication — and the investigation is focused on it possibly being prescribed by one of his doctors, Conrad Murray.
Now, to help study that issue, we can conjure up the ghost of Elvis past. Otherwise, it doesn’t make sense to continue “honoring” Presley’s death at all …
Another reader named “Red” wrote: “You didn’t write anything about the kings death. I bet you woudn’t forget john lennons”. Well, I didn’t, and I won’t. You see, there are some big differences between Presley’s death and that of the “Working Class Hero” and former Beatle:
- While Elvis had become clinically obese, John was in trim and energetic form.
- Presley was already taking too many prescription drugs (just like Michael) while Lennon was actually clean of them.
- Elvis’ opulent lifestyle was in direct contrast to that of John and Yoko, who (although living in the pricey Dakota highrise in New York City) were actually more interested in the simpler life. Many reports have suggested that Presley’s financial flamboyance made it easier for him to get the prescriptions that eventually killed him.
- John spent years — from the last of the Beatles’ until his death in 1980 — campaigning for peace and love. These, as important as they were (and are), were also indirect contributors to his death.
- Plainly put, Elvis killed himself with those prescriptions. John Lennon was brutally murdered by a “fan” — one for whom John had autographed an album just hours before he was gunned down.
So we get back to the question: Whose “death day” should we honor??
The answer, IMHO?? None. Not Elvis’, not John’s … not even Michael’s!
The reason’s simple: If we actually loved or appreciated what these superstars stood for … if we still dig the music of early/later Elvis Presley, Beatle/solo John Lennon, or Jackson 5/solo artist Michael Jackson, then it’s their lives we should be honoring … not the cold harshness of their deaths!
Am I right??
See ya on the flip side …
With the death of Elvis we honor his great legacy. He was the greatest gift the USA has given to the world. Lennon did his thing and had his own ’special behaviors’. You may like that, others won’t. Stop comparing and look at the contribution they made.