Before anyone dumps all sorts of
derogatory messages on me re. the title of this blog, please understand that in
titling this bit of writing the way I have, I mean no disrespect for the
(almost) living legend that is Elvis. However, you will soon understand the
reason why I felt compelled to use the two word moniker that I have.
I listen to “Elvis Radio” Channel 19
every time I set my derriere onto the driver’s seat of my automobile, put it in
gear, and attempt to fulfill my sundry commitments for that day. This morning,
as I drove to a not so distant town to do a safety meeting for my construction
crew, I listened to an interview between E.A.P.’s high school friend, George
Klein (the primary DJ on Elvis Radio), and Wink Martindale, the 70’s-80’s-90’s
gameshow host.
It so happens that Sandy Martindale,
(Wink’s wife) dated Elvis ‘way back when’ and she was with him (Wink, not
Elvis) in this morning’s interview. Sometime before (or after) the two married,
Sandy and Wink developed a close mutual relationship with ‘The King of Rock
& Roll,’ and often attended his performances.
And as it fell together, the couple
last saw Elvis at a Las Vegas show shortly before his passing. And what they
saw left them mortified. Elvis was obviously in poor health, and had gained a
great deal of weight. No doubt, they were aware that the greatest male singer
of all time had regularly indulged himself with prescription, and possibly
other substances. The most disinterested lay person could see it in his eyes.
While he seemed to maintain his cognitive abilities, such as his skill with the
recall of songs, his countenance and physical condition spoke volumes.
Pt. 2
As Wink and Sandy visited in Elvis’
dressing room before the show, they noticed sweat beading on his forehead, and
it occurred to both of them that this could well be the last time they would
ever lay eyes on the most famous and gifted man on the planet. As the interview
neared its conclusion, Wink mentioned that Elvis seemed hesitant to leave them,
though his next show was only moments away.
Ultimately, the couple said their
‘adieu’s’ and departed the premises. On their way out, they stopped long enough
to write a note for Elvis, and left it with the King’s ‘right hand man;’ (whose
name escapes me at the moment).
The note read roughly as follows:
Elvis
We would love for you to come visit
with us in our home for a few weeks.
This would give you an opportunity to
rest, lose weight, and regain your health. People tell me (Sandy) that I am a
good cook, and I don’t think you’d regret staying with us a while and dining at
our table. Hope to hear from you soon.
Love & Prayers,
Wink & Sandy
Pt. 3
One might have thought George Klein
would have changed the subject, and prevented the Martindale’s from telling the
story. But this was not the case.
I must say I have been pleasantly
surprised at how open ‘The Elvis Channel’ and its DJ’s have been with the radio
public in regard to ‘the good, bad and the ugly’ which transpired during THE
American Idol’s all too brief 42 years on earth.
There’s a poignant passage in the
movie, “A River Runs Through It.”
In speaking of his father, the main
character, Norman Maclean, reminisces.
l remember the last sermon
l heard him give;
not long before his own death…
Each one of us here today will,
at one time in our lives...
look upon a loved one who is in need
and ask the same question.
"We are willing to help, Lord...
but what, if anything, is needed?"
It is true we can seldom help
those closest to us.
Either we don't know what part
of ourselves to give...
or more often than not,
the part we have to give...
is not wanted.
And so it is those we live with
and should know who elude us...
but we can still love them.
We can love completely...
without complete understanding.
Afterward
At least during this particular
interview, Wink and Sandy Martindale never disclosed whether Elvis responded to
their offer that he visit with them, lose weight and attempt to regain his
former health.
We can be sure, however, that if he responded
at all it was not of the affirmative kind; since the well-known gameshow host
and his wife
…never saw Elvis again.
I think Wink and Sandy were a lot like
the kind of people of whom that old preacher alluded in his final sermon, the
sort of folks who reach out in love to those near and dear to themselves;
though bereft of any understanding.
One can only wonder how history might
have been rewritten had Elvis taken them up on their gracious offer. Perhaps
the King of Rock & Roll would have given us the gift of a few more years
and a few more songs.
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 40. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or 'save' please include the credit line, above
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 40. Copyright pending
If you wish to copy, share or 'save' please include the credit line, above
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