The Beatles or Elvis?

Lots of Elvis making his way 'round the internet today, the 30th year since his death. Elvis is inextricably linked with my husband in my mind.

I know "Pulp Fiction" summarized the question of all pop music lovers to Beatles or Elvis? I was a little too young for the Beatles. Even if you spot me the five years older I got because of my oldest sister, she only first bought "Revolution" as a single. I can remember peering over the top of the stereo console, about 6 years old, watching that little yellow plastic doohickey spin in the middle of a big green apple. She caught the tail end of the Beatles. I missed them entirely. And Elvis? How does a child get Elvis when your parents are playing showtunes and big bands and symphonic music? I never got either the Beatles or Elvis.

Until Dave.

Dave's Daddy robbed the cradle when he married a woman 10 years younger than him at the age of 29. Dave's Mama loved pop music. She played Elvis for him. And her love for the singer and the son translated when the son played The King for me.

'Are you lonesome tonight?'

That question is never as lovely as when it's half-whispered, half-sung into your ear by the man you know you're falling in love with. A crisp uniform and the scent of clean manliness are all that separates you. And who knew Elvis sang gospel? It's even possible that our son's first name stuck in my husband's head from hearing "Swing Down Sweet Chariot" innumerable times.

When Elvis died, I couldn't understand the hoopla. Before the 24-hour-news-cycle, we had several days of Elvis coverage. Many years later, I met the man who shared Elvis with me.

So ask me now Beatles or Elvis? The answer is Dave.