ELVIS LIVES!

My husband, aka Mr. Wonderful, is a certifiable Mainiac. Born and bred, educated El-Hi through college, and with a lifelong career here, Bob will never be considered “from away.” Plus, he’s got the signature Maine accent — no r’s — to verify that. Loves chowdah. Thinks Bah Hahbah is wicked good. Stuff like that.

So when I told him we were going to an Elvis concert in Kennebunkport last night, I could read his mind: “Sounds like a bunch of old fahts out on the town.” Ayuh. We sure were.

Noted local musicians Mark Gunter and Dana Pearson, along with a gifted  drummer named Ron, rocked the walls of the one-room Town House School (built in 1900) to benefit the Kennebunkport Historical Society. Their concert started at 7 PM sharp and ended exactly at 9, which meant we old fahts were back home snuggled in bed before most pop concert venues in New York City even open the doors.

And the songs!  “Don’t Be Cruel.”  “Heartbreak Hotel.” “Return to Sender.” “Jailhouse Rock.” I swear, there wasn’t one arthritic toe that wasn’t tapping the entire gig. Or one knee replacement that wasn’t feeling it during “Blue Suede Shoes.” Some folks in the audience (obviously not yet enrolled on Medicare) even got up and danced with abandon. (I have a hunch they’re feeling it today.)

The evening ignited personal Elvis memories. Watching Mark absolutely nail his red keyboard, and hearing Dana strum magnificently while also hitting the high notes on a harmonica, I had to wonder: were these guys even alive when I bought my first Elvis LP in the summer of 1956 at Hal’s Record Store in Trenton, New Jersey?

I remember too, sitting on the living room couch at our home in Titusville on the Delaware River, on September 9, 1956, when Elvis first appeared on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” The cameras focused only on the King’s body above his waist.  No “vulgar” hip-shaking gyrations were allowed while he sang “Love Me Tender.” Interestingly, within a year, everyone at our high school sock hops was gyrating like Elvis.

Before Elvis, I listened to Percy Faith, Julius LaRosa and Perry Como. I adored songs like Doris Day’s “How Much is that Doggie in the Window?” and Joni James’ “Your Cheatin’ Heart.’” Who didn’t sing along with Mitch Miller when he played “The Yellow Rose of Texas’?” 

For me, Elvis was the catalyst to an appreciation of “new” music. Hearing the youngsters play his songs last night, I realized that Elvis may have left the building, but he’s still in my old faht heart.