A beautiful anecdote about a young Steve Martin meeting Elvis Presley in Vegas. Great payoff.
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Somehow this makes me love Elvis 1,000 times more. Oblique???? That is the PERFECT word for Steve Martin’s whole standup schtick. Called him son??? God. Love it.
I know, totally unexpected word choice and bang on the money. Generous, too!
Thanks for posting that Sheila…That’s priceless.
For a guy who was supposed to be so secluded, I always find it fascinating how many other performers have an “Elvis anecdote”…and how often it’s revealing about both Elvis and the other performer…
We know, from reading here the last month or so, that Elvis was extremely well-mannered and gracious.
Now we know that this high school grad from the South came up with the perfect word, college-level in this usage, for Steve Martin’s magic/comedy act.
Off the cuff, backstage, complimenting an unknown young performer — just being the nice-guy King.
I know Elvis had some impressive belt buckles, but I’d really love to see the one that “celebrates his appearances at the Hilton Hotel.” Hahahaha. What is that, Steve Martin? (How I love you.)
So sweet of Elvis though. Something he didn’t NEED to do, but did nevertheless.
AAAH-BLEEQUE!!
hahahaha The pronunciation, yes, even more perfect
Love Steve Martin. Always thought his connection to Elvis was through Kathy Westmoreland (background singer of Elvis) who is/was a close friend of Martin and played sketches withh him during High School.
Patricia – His Born Standing Up was one of my favorite books of the last 5 or 10 years. He tells the story in the book – and goes on to say that EP stopped by his dressing room again and said that he too had an “ob-leek” sense of humor but that no one in his audience got it. Then he took out all of his guns to show Steve.
But Martin was so gracious in the book – said something like – “Elvis’ sense of humor was oblique…”
Takes one to know one.
For sure have to get Steve’s book. Seem to be the only one who hasn’t read it so far. I’m sure I will love it.
Patricia – Oh, oh, you are in for such a treat.