ETA Butch Dicus Meets The KING!
During the concert, I had the same picture in my hand. When Elvis came
close by the stage, I was able to walk up and hand him the picture. He
looked, chuckled, and started walking towards Charlie Hodge. At the same
time, a stage hand (at the time I really didn't know who it was) came over
and said, "When he starts singing 'Can't Help Falling in Love,' meet me on
this side of the stage (stage left, where Elvis entered) and I will
take you backstage."
Well, Elvis in his usual fashion decided to extend the concert and said, "You know,
ladies and gentlemen, that I normally perform for about 30 to 45 minutes. This group over here (pointing at JD Sumner and Sweet Inspirations), they
have to go back to the studio tomorrow, and this group over here, they
have to get back to Nashville, but you know what? I don't give a damn
what they want." Elvis performed for another 30 minutes and, of course,
added to the agony of me going backstage.
As soon as he started "Can't Help Falling In Love," I ran to stage left and just as I got to the stage, a scarf went flying in front of my face. Naturally, I grabbed it at the same time this 4-foot Wonder Woman leaped for it and we struggled like "fighting over a $2.00 purse at Walmart." As I look back on that moment, I can picture the little toy we all had as kids with the ball, rubber band and paddle. At that moment, that was what was happening to that poor lady because this kid was not giving up this silk scarf, even though I was fixing to meet the King of Rock and Roll. After two minutes, I told her in a very loud voice, "If you give me half, I'll give you the other half." We agreed and a friend of hers used clippers to shred the silk. I made it to the stage just in time for Elvis to make his descent. The stage hand looked at Elvis and said "This is him." Elvis looked at me, made that half-way grin and said "You're the one in the picture?" I just stood there, heart beating ninety to nothing and said, "Yes, sir." He just looked around to his guys and back to me, shaking his head and said "Why?", laughing his way away from the stage
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