boakes.org

Warning: apache_lookup_uri() [function.apache-lookup-uri]: Unable to include '/pics/2006/elvis/burning-car' - error finding URI in /home/www/boakes.org/htdocs/mods/plugins/boakes-depicticon.php on line 65

I had never heard of Elvis Presley when he died twenty nine years ago today; but oddly, I distinctly remember where I was when I heard that he had died.

It’s one of my earliest distinct memories. My best friend from the Bryn Nursery, James Morris (Mozz), was the bearer of the news whilst we sat in the back of my mums car, and it caused me some confusion.

We were travelling on a dual carriageway over a bridge or flyover when, off to the left and below, maybe 200 yards away, we saw a car on fire. This was the first time I’d seen anything on fire other than things that had been set alight in my grandfather’s garden incinerator, so it was memorable enough to see the flames engulfing the engine and encroaching on the passenger compartment, however, James took this opportunity to say “Elvis Presley’s dead isn’t he”.

Not knowing Elvis Presley, I put two and two together and wondered if it was his car.

Thus, even though I was only four years old, I can remember exactly where I was when I heard Elvis had left the building for good.

I havent’ a clue what James is up to these days, but coincidentally, yesterday I published the cine of my fifth birthday party, filmed just three months after this memory, and James features in several shots. So, as proved by my recent comunications with Dave Winer, everyone googles themself eventually, so I hope you’re well when you find this James, drop us a line.