Elvis in an alternate universe

by ‘EagleUSA’

In an alternate universe, Elvis is alive and well and turning 70 on Saturday. He'll be celebrating his birthday with daughter Lisa Marie, her children, his wife of 11 years - Kate, and their two young children, as well as several friends.

He's also celebrating the success of his evening variety television show, "Elvis", which is now starting its 4th season. It began as a 9/11 Special, earning him an Emmy, and turned into a critically acclaimed weekly show. It gives him an outlet to perform songs he enjoys in front of a small audience, while sometimes showcasing talented young artists he discovers and produces in his Memphis studio.

The format is loose and relaxed. Sometimes Elvis will simply jam with old friends who "drop in" and chat with them between songs. Johnny Cash was a recurring favourite until his health problems prevented him from singing. It was a real treat to watch these two legends harmonizing together on their personal gospel favourites. Elvis had a tough time at Johnny's funeral. I'm sure he misses him.

Elvis plans to keep doing the show for another few years, if the ratings hold as well as they have so far, and then retire. He and Kate have been talking about another trip with the kids....maybe back to Australia. They haven't been there to visit since his performance in Sydney for the global "Farewell Tour" in '99. He and Kate would like to show the kids around Europe too.

Now that John and Susan are a bit older, they'll appreciate Daddy's stories of being a soldier in Germany and how much it touched him when he was finally able to visit England on his first world tour in 1980 and realize how much the fans there loved him.

Today, Elvis looks back on the last two and 1/2 decades with an appreciation of what he almost lost and what it took to reclaim his life. Then he smiles when he realizes he's the luckiest man alive.

Happy birthday, Elvis.