I have to say that I am ashamed of myself for overlooking the anniversary of one of the greatest entertainers of all time.  Forgot to recognize Liberace's birthday on...........just kidding!

A cultural icon, "The King" died on August 16, 1977.  Some people I run into today are still convinced Elvis is alive and hiding out in Graceland under the watchful eye of his remaining family members, whomever they may be.

Me?  I think he's still alive too.  But, if you take the grand tour of the grounds, you may feel an unexplained coolness in the air typically associated with the spirit of the dead.

"Colonel" Tom Parker managed Elvis in the 50's when it seemed like he was delivering weekly smash hits, then in the 1960's when his music waned, and Elvis began popping up on screen for Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums.

When he died just over 35 years ago, the cause for his demise was ruled as prescription drugs severely compromising his health.  They all seem to end that way, don't they?

Jim Morrison (Doors), Jimi Hendrix, Alan Wilson (Canned Heat), Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Brian Jones (Rolling Stones), Rudy Lewis (Drifters), Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), Ron McKernan (Grateful Dead), Gary Thain (Uriah Heap).

By the way, with the exception of Elvis, all of the above are part of the "27 Club".  Meaning they all died at 27 years old.  Spooky, huh?

Here's "the King" in prime time, but is he really playing the guitar, or the sound coming from elsewhere?

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