Pantagraph.com | News | Nybakke visits Graceland on anniversary of Elvis' death

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Dave wrote on Aug 20, 2007 3:46 PM:

" There is an interesting Wiki site that lists many quotes about Elvis from famous musicians. So, to mirror what the lady just wrote, from John Lennon to Keith Richards to Bruce Springsteen, they all say without Elvis rock and roll would not have started when it did. Here is the link: put an http and a : in front of this to get to the site......en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley "

A mother from Normal wrote on Aug 19, 2007 3:54 PM:

" Even current artists from various genres like Metallica and Bruce Springsteen and Bono insist that they never would have been in the music biz if not for Elvis Presley. The doors would not have been opened for them. He crossed racial lines during a time when this was forbidden. Why would anyone on this page want to say such hurtful things about a man who was a son, a father, a soldier, and a musical pioneer. "

news wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:56 PM:

" this is news because it is the anniversary of the death of a "king" If you can't even bring yourself to believe the influence Elvis has/had on our music then you really are just completely ignorant. Elvis is still a great influence on music. Maybe he didn't write his own music, or even know how to play more than 3 cords on a guitar (neither do many other artists today) but he sure could sing it. There was no lip syncing then like today. And sorry to all the pop fans, but he could dance and sing at the same time. So many of them today put on a dance show but the fake singing at the same time. So, thanks to you supporters and to the others-just turn off the computer and listen to your crap music-while knowing that Elvis probably influenced them in some way! "

Oh My! wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:42 PM:

" What fun! Did you see the TV coverage of the "candlelight vigil"! There must a lot of empty double-wides this week. Elvis was NOT original, and after about 1962, totally irrelevant. Yet there are evidently millions, trapped in time, obsessed with an "entertainer" who's been dead for 30 years. Start the countdown - only 1826 days until the 35th anniversary of his death! "

Janice from Saybrook wrote on Aug 16, 2007 5:46 PM:

" Elvis was and still is " The King". His voice was impeccable. I know no other singer who could sing every type of music and make it his own. If you listen to other musicians comments, most often they list him as a influence to them. I believe if you don't understand the hype, you never will. He is a legend!! And he does live on!!!!! "

come on Pantagraph wrote on Aug 16, 2007 4:32 PM:

" what was wrong with peanut butter and banana sandwiches...you let far worse in. "

Even though wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:15 PM:

" "Elvis has left the building", he was and still is, one of the best looking men who have ever lived. He was magical to watch. Long live the King. He died way too young. "

Tough Love wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:14 PM:

" I know this will rattle a few cages, but it's the truth. I'm in my mid 50's, and plenty old enough to remember Elvis. At the time of his death, he was a washed-up, drug addled, has-been. Nothing more than a Vegas freak show for old women. His "influence" on music was nothing more than stealing a few bits from minority performers and "mainstreaming" it to bored white teenagers in the '50s. His acting was terrible, and if you don't believe me, force yourself to sit through a couple of his pathetic movies. If you're an Elvis fan, you need to look in the mirror and wonder why your life stopped 50 years ago when you were a teenager. And all you John Lennon nuts should be asking the same question. "

Star Trek Conventions Next? wrote on Aug 16, 2007 12:47 PM:

" with this silly story and waste of time my question is the Pantagraph going to feature a story the next time an area resident attends a Star Trek convention? To me it is just about as big a waste of time and print to cover a story like that as it is to do this one. Elvis was very popular I will give you that, and I am a musician. One thing I would like to point out to all the Elvis fans is that Elvis only knew three chords on a guitar and did not write one single song that was ever heard by more than a dozen people. He was at best a singer with a loyal following. Then again so was Frank Sinatra, Vic Damone, and Tom Jones. Come on Pantagraph leave this kind of stuff alone unless you plan on following other residents along on their vacations. "

typical wrote on Aug 16, 2007 11:07 AM:

" another non-news waste of space by a story without value. it's no wonder the average american has no idea what is really going on in this country when stories of celebrities- and DEAD celebrities- are considered "news". he's been dead 30 years already- get over it or start a religion. "

To: JD wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:54 AM:

" If you supply the beer, I'll supply the squinting and tilting. Meet you in the back yard by the mushroom. "

I wrote on Aug 16, 2007 10:39 AM:

" was around when Elvis died, about 12 yrs old, I think (contrary to what one of the posters asserted), the man was influential, most certainly, and is a music legend but is a story about Terry Nybakke going to Graceland really front-page stuff? I want to see pictures of "JD"'s Virgin Mary mushroom! "

not a fan but... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 9:14 AM:

" I was not an Elvis fan but remember sitting @ the dinner table w/ family when they interrupted the Cubs game to make the announcement. It didn't really seem to phase any of us (family). I recently went to Graceland while visiting friends in Memphis. I thoroughy enjoyed it. It gave me a bigger appreciation for what he's done for music. It was interesting to see how Elvis' house decor matched that of my mom & dad's ... the 70's!! "

Danvers needs wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:41 AM:

" Danvers needs a movie theater! They could play the classic Elvis films! "

***** wrote on Aug 16, 2007 8:26 AM:

" I will take Elvis' music over any of the garbage that is played today! "

To Zzzzz wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:42 AM:

" Apparently you care enough to not only read the story, but post on the blog. You do have the option of ignoring stories you don't feel meet your high standards for newsworthiness. "

Ignorant... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 7:28 AM:

" These posters weren't there during Elvis' time. Chances are their favorite artists would give kudos to his work. He was a trendsetter. Make no mistake about it. He was a little before my time. I was Beatles all the way, but I'm not so ignorant to pass over his talent (and the Beatles claim him as a big part of their inspiration.) You'd have to be a fool not to give him his due. Now, my son sings his ballads sometimes at Karaoke contests. Elvis' music still works! These guys really don't understand how cutting age he was back then. He fused the beginnings of rock and roll with soul, something no white artist had ever even tried, and he did it magnificently. Here's to Elvis! "

I'm not a kid wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:57 AM:

" as some posters would think. I'm a 52 year old male who is absolutely amazed at the loosers who are enamoured with this washed up drug-riddled DEAD egomaiac lousy singer. I look at his antics, and put him right in the same category as Lindsey Lohan or Brittany Spears. Actually the only thing I find amusing about the man is the mental picture I get of him demised on the floor in front of the toilet with his posterior sticking up in the air. "

Music fans...... wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:57 AM:

" Whether you like his music or not, any music fan owes a great deal of respect to Elvis for elevating music into the mainstream. Not saying thats a good thing or bad thing, but he opened doors to an entire generation of performers. Early and mid-career Elvis was the best, super cool. He later became a parody of himself in the movies and forgetting the words to his own songs in concert, no doubt because of the drug abuse. Another great one, gone too soon. "

I was 4 and my wrote on Aug 16, 2007 6:22 AM:

" brother and I were in the tub and Mom was washing our hair. We heard the broadcast over the radio that Elvis had died and Mom was so distraught she laid on the floor and cried while shampoo ran in our eyes and we then cried too... I imagine we were all quite a sight! But, Mom was from the generation that loved and idolized the King. I cannot think of a single artist today who has 1/10th of the following- or 1/10th of the star-quality and talent that he did (does). Name ONE artist today, who if they died would still draw a gathering of 100,000 mourners 30 years in the future. Timberlake? Britney? Li'l Kim? Pu-Lease! "

JD wrote on Aug 16, 2007 3:08 AM:

" Congratulations person #456987234 on visiting Graceland. Seriously, this is not even worthy of a blurb in the free newspapers of the area. Is the paper really have such a hard time finding news? If this is what they consider news, I have a mushroom in my back yard that looks like the Virgin Mary...if you squint your eyes really hard, tilt your head just right, and have a 12 pack of beer beforehand. "

TERRIFIC STORY........ wrote on Aug 16, 2007 2:43 AM:

" Elvis WAS and IS and ALWAYS WILL BE THE GREATEST! You know, Elvis could REALLY SING, unlike this screaming crap called rap; Elvis knew how to MOVE with the music, unlike this jumping straight up and down; Elvis could sing with all of his clothes on, unlike these punks that think they look good half dressed; AND Elvis could keep his pants UP without needing to pull them up because he had a FANTASTIC BODY! YEP - Elvis had TALENT! What a shame we don't have that in today's music industry. "

MRS. wrote on Aug 16, 2007 1:37 AM:

" I agree with great. There is no way you can appreciate Elvis if you weren't alive or old enough to know about him. My sister-in-law's Brother was in the army with Elvis. He told us wonderful stories. She has a picture of Elvis in his scivies. She won't sell it but she sure does get it out and look see a lot. I think the same thing will happen about People like Johnny Cash, George Jones ( hope not for a long time.) It was a different time and you really had to be there(sorry Lori) to know what it means. "

Fat Elvis wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:27 PM:

" Why in the world is this considered news? "

great wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:22 PM:

" story. these other posters must be young punks who like rap crap "

Zzzzzzzz wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:12 PM:

" Who cares about Elvis or Graceland? "

This wrote on Aug 15, 2007 10:02 PM:

" is newsworthy, why? "

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