Johnny Pesky, a great Red Sox. Here’s hoping he gets to see his best bud Ted on the other side.

After 35 years, Elvis, one of the all-time greats. It’s hard to believe it was that long ago, I still remember the night I heard the news; it was a hot, humid night and I was driving to see my brother Dave, who was working on a pair of eyeglasses for me, the moment I heard Elvis had died. I didn’t know what else to do, so I made sure the next day I picked up a blue vinyl copy of his most recent release “Moody Blue”. It was a damned fine album; unfortunately, it’s not worth a whole lot these days on eBay. Elvis would understand, I’m sure, and even chuckle at the thought. But without a doubt he was THE best – better than The Beatles, better than the Beach Boys, better than anyone. As far as rock n’ roll was concerned, he was “The King”.

…here’s one of my all-time favorite tunes (yes, I do mean ALL-TIME). Strangely, it’s the last song he ever recorded. The vocal is incredible, and the James Burton‘s lead (recorded later) is as good as it gets – listen to the strummed chord that closes the song out. Does it get any better than that?? Hard to believe, so the story goes, Elvis was so agitated on Halloween 1976 (the night the song was recorded) that he sang a very hurried and disinterested vocal. Are you kidding me?