
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, March 1, 1992                   TAG: 9203030354
SECTION: HORIZON                    PAGE: E-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: SANDRA KELLY
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

THE KING AND I WERE BOTH YOUNG BACK IN THOSE DAYS

My most vivid memory of Elvis was my mother grabbing my "Heartbreak Hotel" record off the phonograph and breaking it across her knee.

"I can't stand it any more," she said.

I was the typical teen-ager drooling for Elvis. I saw him do his thing on the Ed Sullivan show and went ga-ga. I cried while watching "Love Me Tender."

In 1974, as a reporter I reviewed his concert in Roanoke, and said he "shook his way to a new record attendance" in front of a crowd of "predominantly early 20s to mid-30s women with good lungs."

But, I also said Elvis was looking a little heavier, wearing his pants a little looser and sounded good, "if not fantastic."

A headline writer labeled the story, "Vintage Elvis Wows 'Em" and angry women called me up the next day. Most wanted to know what age I was because they couldn't believe that anyone near Elvis' age would not be thrilled to pieces by him. Several offered to beat me up.

I was thrilled by Elvis, periodically. I even own a black T-shirt with his likeness on the front, which I never wear for fear his face will fade and I won't remember when either of us were young.

by CNB