A Star in My Pharmacy: The Elusive Encounter with Elvis Presley
Did anybody ever meet the man himself, Elvis Presley, also known as the 'King of Rock and Roll'? This is a story of a unique encounter between me and the iconic star, which unfolded in a rather unexpected manner.
The Day I Met The King
One particularly busy shift in the pharmacy in Wallsend, North East England, presented me with a prescription for a Mr. Elvis Presley, with an address of Graceland Crescent. My initial thought was, 'Is this some sort of prank?' But I was assured that it was genuine. As I glanced around the shelves in the pharmacy, I saw an older man, proudly wearing a spectacular grey quiff, waiting for his medication. It was indeed Elvis Presley himself.
I serviced him diligently, and after a short time, he left. The next day, I was working in a different pharmacy in North Shields. Eager to share the story, I blurted it out to the first colleague I saw. Imagine my surprise when they told me about the local legend who impersonated Elvis in the working men's clubs, even changing his name by deed poll to Elvis. He had been pestering the council for years to move to Graceland Crescent and eventually got his dream address.
The best was yet to come. My colleague informed me that Elvis was the lollipop man for the local primary school. Every day, he would wear his blue suede shoes and the children and parents would step on his feet as they crossed the road. Each time, Elvis would utter the immortal line, “Don’t you step on my blue suede shoes.”
The Role of Elvis in My Life
Clearly, the experience with Elvis at the pharmacy was brief and on a professional level. However, Elvis has had a lasting impact on my life in other ways. His mother, Gladys Presley, was a doctor or a nurse - a detail that might surprise many.
It is a fact, however, that I only saw the King through the medium of television, old movies, or old videos of him singing and dancing. To be honest, I've always had a fondness for Elvis, though I rather admit that my early attractions were more to his early classics than his later career.
When my father separated from my mother, I suddenly became familiar with Elvis's music. Initially, it was a few childhood movies, but it was the influence of my soon-to-be stepmother that pushed him to be a significant part of my life. She introduced me to the album 'Flaming Star,' and from that moment, Elvis became a permanent part of my life.
Elvis Presley's influence has been profound, whether through personal encounters or through a lifetime of music and memories. His image and legacy continue to live on in many hearts, and the story of that day in the pharmacy serves as a reminder of the unexpected and magical moments that life can bring.