Elvis Presley would have been 76 today. His favorite roller coaster is called the Zippin Pippin, and it was in constant use as late as 2005 when Libertyland (on the Mid-South Fairgrounds property in Memphis) shut down. The coaster itself was built in 1923 and efforts to rebuild and keep it in Elvis’ hometown failed. So how is it ending up in Green Bay, Wisconsin?

In 2010  it was sold for $2,500 and moved to Green Bay to be re-assembled at the Bay Beach Amusement Park.  Fundrasing activities  continue to cover the $3.5 million renovation that is expected to be completed in time to open in May 2011.

During the evenings events at Libertyland 2002 Joe Esposito related the story of how Elvis would fools around at Libertyland. His favorite joke was to ride the Zippin Pippin to the top and get the attendant to stop the cart at the top where he would get off and hide.  When the cart returned and Elvis was not there everyone (not in on the joke would freak out) thinking Elvis had fallen out along the way. Finally, Elvis would arrive in his usual casual manner, laughing hard and long.  Here are some pictures of the project.  I’ll keep you posted

Presley, Elvis – first recorded interview w-Mae Axton – 55 07-28 – lo-fi

Legendary rocker Chuck Berry (whose first hit Maybelline was a hit over 55 years ago)) collapsed on his keyboard while performing at last night the Congress Theater in Chicago during a New Years celebration.  Chuck’s head was on the keyboard and he was motionless  move for a brief while.  He was then assisted by people who escorted him off the stage.  After 20 minutes he returned and tried to perform with his guitar but then told the crowd he didn’t have the strength.

A Chicago fire official said that Berry was ill before the show and was checked out by ambulance personnel.   After a few minutes he said he felt better and signed a release.

Concertgoer Steve Handwerker said Chuck was giving an erratic, out-of-tune performance. While sitting at the keyboard, Handwerker said, Berry fell onto it face first and was helped offstage. He said he went outside and saw an ambulance at the back of the theater, but ran back inside when he heard the remaining crowd roar.

Chuck, still in his performance outfit, was standing unassisted and seemed alert, Handwerker said. He said Berry thanked the crowd, said medics put on a blood pressure cuff, and patted his chest.

Saying he wanted to give fans what they wanted, Berry did a step or two of what he called his “heel scoop” move and was helped offstage. Handwerker said he later saw Berry get into a white limousine and ride away from the theater.The Sun-Times said that Berry, who had just recently played two shows at New York’s B.B. Kings’s Blues Club and Grill on New Year’s Eve, also said Chuck was not in sync with his Chicago band during the show last night. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=K103P3TTpxI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMl82G-Xamw&feature=related

After a few days nursing a bad head cold, I’m off and running with running with my blogs for the show.  Here is where I’ll be able to answer any questions you might have, and share information with you I think you’ll find interesting.  It also allows me to do more here than I can with the show in digging deeper into the music and artists tha interest me and hopefully you.  But it’s not just a one way street, so let me here from you as to your interests, likes and dislikes.  That way we can all discover music neither of us may never find on our own.

And thanks for your support of the show for the past 10 years.

Steve

Steve