Hass collapses at Elvis Explosion, dies at hospital

Autumn Grooms, La Crosse Tribune

Larry Hass had just belted out the ballad "Just Pretend" - his wife's favorite Elvis Presley song. When the music stopped, a pause before his next number, Hass walked back to the band. He needed a break, he told them, and set the microphone down.

Then Hass collapsed on the La Crosse Center stage. As he was rushed to a local hospital, more than 30 Elvis impersonators, crew members and his family decided that regardless of the outcome, Friday night's Elvis Explosion would continue.

"It was a tough decision to go on with the show, but it's the way Larry would want it," said Ronny Craig, show organizer, master of ceremonies and friend of Hass.

Hass died at a local hospital about 9:15 p.m. at the age of 54. His obituary is on Page B-6.

"I've done more living in 53 years than you could do in 100," the original lead singer of the La Crosse-based band Rode Hard & Put Up Wet told a Tribune reporter last year after learning his heart was beyond hope. His heart problems began in 1992, when he had six-bypass surgery at age 42.

Problems resurfaced in February 2003 when he learned only a percentage of his heart was left and it was too degenerated and weak to be considered for a transplant, said his wife, Lisa Hass. When the February problems came about, she said Hass decided to go back to what he was best at. He started singing karaoke, and before he knew it was singing for benefits as Elvis.

"He figured it was meant to be and what he was supposed to do," Lisa said. "He had a God-given voice and shared with with less fortunate people. He wanted to give back to everyone who had helped him and singing was one way he knew he could," she said. Hass sang his last benefit concert just a few weeks ago.

"To be out of the business for almost 15 years and still have people remember you - to know you left that kind of impression is pretty satisfying," Hass said in a May 2003 article.

Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977, at his mansion in Memphis, Tenn. The Tennessee state pathologist, Dr. Jerry Francisco, said a post mortem revealed Presley died of cardiac arrhythmia - a form of heart attack, according to the British Broadcasting Corp.

"This was his passion, absolutely his passion. He was the most easy going guy you've ever seen in life and had some talent," Craig said. "If anyone sang from their heart it was Larry Hass. It's the truth. He absolutely gave it all he had."

Craig first became acquainted with Hass when he called wanting to buy tickets for the Elvis Explosion. "When he called I recognized who he was. I'd seen him perform before and said, 'Why don't you just join the Elvis show?' He absolutely was very ecstatic about it, and he and I became very good friends," Craig said.

"He wanted the elaborate costumes and to step it up to be the best Elvis he could. He wanted to know what color dye and brand of dye to buy. He would come and get karaoke songs. I just did whatever I could to help him out. Larry was very genuine and I wanted to help him pursue (his goal)," he said.

The Elvis Explosion shows Saturday night and today are dedicated in Hass' name and memory. A visitation for Hass will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Seland Funeral Home, Coon Valley, Wis. A memorial party will follow at 7 p.m. at Lumberman's Bar & Grill, 129 Clinton St., La Crosse There will be karaoke and plenty of Elvis songs.

Larry Haas - Obituary

La Crosse Tribune Obituary (12 September 2004)

Larry R. 'Butch'/'Clyde' Hass Larry R. "Butch"/"Clyde" Hass, 54, of La Crosse died Friday evening, Sept. 10, 2004, doing what he loved best, performing on stage at the Elvis Explosion at the La Crosse Center. He was born June 8, 1950, to Ray and Beverly (Midtlien) Hass in Viroqua, Wis., and graduated from Viroqua High School in 1968. In 1970 he married Linda Greenwood. The couple farmed in rural Coon Valley until 1977. They were later divorced.

In 1995 he married Lisa Blihovde, having been together since 1983. Larry began singing with Orange Blossom Special in 1977 and later went on his own and formed Rode Hard and Put Up Wet, performing until November 1987. He then started Larry Hass Construction, continuing until February 2003 when his declining health prevented him from working.

Following a benefit held for him in May 2003, he began performing at benefits for others. Larry freely shared his talents to help those less fortunate. His many interests included the Packers, Atlanta Braves, NASCAR and karaoke. Survivors include his wife, Lisa; his dog "son" Buck; two brothers, Bruce (Linda) of Holmen, Wis., and Allen (Lisa) of Tomah, Wis.; mother-in-law, Judy Colgan of La Crosse; best friends, Rick Johnson and Ralph Andring; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and many friends too numerous to mention. He was preceded in death by his parents and grandparents.

A visitation will be held Tuesday, Sept. 14, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Seland Funeral Home in Coon Valley, Wis. Friends may also gather Tuesday after 7 p.m. at Lumberman's Bar and Grill, 129 Clinton St., La Crosse. Private burial will take place at St. Peter's Lutheran Cemetery in Chaseburg, Wis. Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and good night!