Riding with the King and He May Be Dead, but He's Elvis

(7:00-7:30 p.m.: Rare Elvis audio compilation by KALX DJ Johnny Savage) Riding with the King takes us to Memphis, center of the Elvis universe, to view fans during their annual pick-n-save pilgrimage. The narrator for this humorous glimpse into life among the Elvins is Slim, a rotund Atlantan who heads south in his Cadillac convertible to visit the many shrines of his swivel-hipped savior. Japanese tourists singing rockabilly at Elvis' birthplace, the greasy spoon where the King chowed down, a vendor selling Elvis fly-swatters: Slim shows us that it ain't slim pickins for the Elvis archaeologist. Riding with the King spins like a 45 as it winds its way through the flea markets of Elvismania. But directors Lisa Roach and Daphne Ireland don't give us the perfunctory footage of Elvis, because in the hearts of his fans, followers and fanaglers, Elvis is everywhere...and alive. He's alive in the memory of his interior decorator, his karate instructor, his stepbrother, his florist and the many others who rubbed elbows with the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Slim, part wry reporter, part shy idolater, embraces the many Presley pilgrims with a true fondness for their now ascended crooner. Spiritually rejuvenated by the godhead of Memphis, Slim eventually heads home, his Caddy ablaze with new decals of the Hound Dog himself. He May Be Dead, but He's Elvis is an adequately tasteless blast at the marketing of the King. A couple of cynical promoters exhume Presley's body with the hope of reviving his career. The "live" tour is just the beginning in this resurrection of Elvis, the product. Steve Seid Plus: a short slide/music presentation from Cube-E, The Residents' homage to the King.

This page may by only partially complete.