I have written before that the 1970s was a strange decade — one that featured disco, mood rings, beanbag chairs, leisure suits and the Vietnam War. The sports event of the decade was a tennis match in the Houston Astrodome between a woman, Billie Jean King, and 55-year-old tennis hustler named Bobby Riggs.
Perhaps this week in 1970, the decade’s first year, was the harbinger. For it was on December 21, 1970, that the decade’s strangest photo-op took place. Shaking hands and grinning as a photographer took their picture in the Oval Office were the president of the country for much of the 1970s, Richard Nixon (further proof of the decade’s strangeness), and the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll” himself, Elvis Presley. Nixon is wearing his usual dark suit and forced smile, while Elvis is in his “New Elvis” getup of long hair, longer sideburns, flowery shirt, wide belt and cape. His eyes seem glazed and unfocused.
Which is unsurprising considering that at the time he already had a long history of drug dependence, including both prescription drugs and those of the illegal variety.
When Elvis died in 1977 his autopsy revealed that in his body at the time of death were various amounts of codeine, methqualone, ethinamate, Valium, Demerol, Meperidine and morphine.
Elvis spent a lot of time stoned out of his mind.
Which is ironic, if not amusing, because his visit with Nixon that day was for the purpose of becoming a special drug enforcement agent, complete with DEA badge. Elvis had requested the White House meeting so that he could sign up for Nixon’s war on drugs, and Nixon, whose many shortcomings did not include a blindness to good public relations, immediately agreed. White House aides later suggested that “special agent” Elvis compose an anti-drug theme song with the possible title, “Get High on Life.”
Getting high during his life was certainly an Elvis specialty, at least according to those who knew him best. His ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, says that years of drug abuse made Elvis both impulsive and irrational. Often, for example, if he didn’t like what he was watching on television, he would take out a pistol and blow out the screen. An ex-girlfriend, Linda Thompson, says Elvis took so many drugs that he often fell asleep while eating.
Which arguably makes Elvis the poster-boy — entertainment division — for the weirdness that defined the 1970s. Thompson once noted that Elvis liked to wear around his neck an Egyptian ankh, a crucifix and a Star of David. When asked why, he would reply, “Because I don’t want to miss Heaven on a technicality.”
The general consensus is that if Elvis did miss out on Heaven, it wasn’t on a technicality.
Bruce Kauffmann’s e-mail address is bruce@historylessons.net
Schools
Bruce Kauffman: The King meets Tricky Dick
- Schools
-
-
ISU Doctor of Nursing Practice grads develop community programs
When parishioners at Southport United Methodist Church come to worship on Sundays, they can get lessons in health care as well as the spiritual.
-
Education students boost internship success with Twitter
Education professors at Indiana State University are emboldening students to use the social media site Twitter to their advantage by exchanging teaching tips and “following” the nation’s leaders in education.
-
Indiana State students teach stats to DeVaney Elementary class
Braxton Shelton’s face lit up at the sight of her father walking into her third-grade classroom — along with three Indiana State University students.
-
WGU establishes Phi Theta Kappa scholarship Indianapolis
WGU Indiana, the state’s online, nonprofit university established for working adults pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree, has instituted a new scholarship for Phi Theta Kappa honor society members. The university seeks to attract the best and brightest transfer students from two-year colleges/universities to WGU Indiana. Each scholarship is valued up to $2,000.
-
Terre Haute Parks taking summer day camp registrations
The Terre Haute Parks and Recreation Department is now taking registration for its Summer Day Camp.
-
Goals, Pride & Achievements: May 24, 2012
• Rachel Bowers
• Douglas Collier
-
Turkey Run names valedictorian, salutatorian
Cheyenne Chaplain and Jake Lutz have been named valedictorian and salutatorian for the Turkey Run High School Class of 2012. Graduation ceremonies will be in the high school gymnasium at 11 a.m. Saturday with 39 students receiving diplomas.
-
Reunion: May 24, 2012.
Terre Haute North Vigo Class of 1992 is planning its 20th class reunion for July 27-28.
-
South senior receives Hoosier Heroes award
Terre Haute South Vigo High School Senior Zachary Moore was awarded a $2,000 scholarship at the Hoosier Heroes Celebration on May 10 at UIndy Hall at the University of Indianapolis.
-
BRUCE’S HISTORY LESSON: Emperor Constantine changes the world
The Emperor Constantine, the first Christian ruler of the Roman Empire and the man who ended that empire’s persecution of Christianity, died this week (May 22) in 337 AD, having lived a life that would change the world.
-
Supporters recognized with March On! award
The Indiana State University Foundation recently honored Todd and Beth Whitaker with its most prestigious award for supporters of the university.
-
Woods junior named state Phi Beta Lambda president
When Katelyn Dukes graduates in 2013, she will be a triple threat to her peers.
-
Commission makes changes to Arts IN Education grant program
The Indiana Arts Commission announced it will accept applications from teaching artists, as well as Indiana schools for the next round of Arts IN Education grants.
- ACROSS THE WABASH VALLEY: May 24, 2012
-
Graduate college in four years? ISU ‘guarantees’ it
Indiana State University has announced a four-year graduation guarantee for students enrolling this fall and beyond.
-
Grrrr-ateful for donation
K-9 Officers Jasper, Luka, Diesel and Carón didn’t like the snarls and growls coming from a “burglar” on Monday morning at Sarah Scott Middle School.
-
After possible TB case, school faces health tests
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted health authorities to provide free TB testing next Tuesday for students and staff at the eastside Terre Haute school.
-
1,261.5 Miles Per Gallon
A Terre Haute South Vigo High School team earned first place in the “unlimited class” category during the 17th Super Mileage Challenge April 30 in Indianapolis.
-
VIDEO: Suspected TB case at Woodrow Wilson
A suspected case of tuberculosis at Woodrow Wilson Middle School has prompted free testing next week for students and staff at the east side Terre Haute school. Testing is not mandatory and parental permission is required for students.
-
Stepping Forward
The sound of Mason Unton’s tennis shoes scampering down the hallway of Westfield’s Maple Glen Elementary School was music to the ears of his parents and the three senior Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology biomedical engineering students that designed a device to assist walking movement.
-
Bring your appetite to summer reading program
Marshall Public Library launches its “Reading is so Delicious!” summer reading program on Friday, May 18.
-
Riverton Parke performs well at Academic Bowl
The Riverton Parke Junior High School Academic Bowl team turned in an impressive performance at the Indiana Academic Super Bowl district contest at Sarah Scott Middle School in Terre Haute on April 28. -
Riley Alumni Banquet planned
The 2012 Riley Alumni Banquet will be June 9 at Riley School Gym.
-
BRIEFLY: May 17, 2012
• Nursing composite photos available
• T-shirts support tornado victims
-
ISU honors attorney, wife with degree
Indiana State University honored Indianapolis attorney Donald W. Buttrey and his late wife, Karen, with honorary doctoral degrees during spring commencement ceremonies May 5.
-
Spring cleaning: Readers’ FAQs
Time for my annual “Spring Cleaning” column, in which I address reader issues and answer “Frequently Asked Questions.”
-
Rose selects first Giacoletto recipient
Mark A. Yoder has been selected the first recipient of the Lawrence J. Giacoletto Endowed Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
-
GOALS, PRIDE & ACHIEVEMENT: May 17, 2012
GOALS, PRIDE & ACHIEVEMENT
-
Hablo Art day camp for children
Artists Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo will be featured in artwork at “Hablo Art” Arts and Day Camp for Children from June 18 to 22.
-
Chauncey Rose celebration set
A Chauncey Rose Middle School (1972-2012) Farewell Celebration is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the school.
- More Schools Headlines
-
ISU Doctor of Nursing Practice grads develop community programs
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Raw Video: Cop Shoots Man Eating Another's Face
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Obama Honors Fallen Troops at Arlington Cemetery
Man in Crane at Texas College Says He's Armed
Raw Video: Deadly Explosion at Minn. Paper Mill
Romney Campaigns Ahead of Claiming Nomination
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Romney Promises World's Strongest Military
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
Patz Suspect's Sister: I Went to Police in 1980s
Panetta: Asia the 'Project' for New Navy Grads
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
White House: No Military Intervention in Syria
Raw Video: Earthquake Shakes Evacuees in Italy
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
Obama Pays Tribute to Vietnam Veterans
Police Probe Similarities in 2 Disappearances
Los Angeles Bar Bans Bachelorettes
Hamster Plays Dead
Beyonce Shows Off 60 Pound Weight Loss at Concert
Drunk Women Breaking Into Houses: A New Trend?
LeAnn Rimes Rocks Short Shorts
Gordon Ramsay Carried Off Field
Man Dies Getting Lap Dance
Kim Kardashian Claims Items Stolen from Her Luggage
Bear cools off in Calif. family's pool
Ep. 3: Chopped Desserts
Air Force dad surprises family at baseball game
Justin Bieber Wanted for Questioning for L.A. Scuffle
J.Lo and Marc's Friendly Reunion
Jet makes emergency landing after debris falls off
Cynthia Nixon Ties the Knot
Woman, 80, Falls Out of Skydive Harness Mid-Jump
Keira Reveals Engagement Ring
