Spread the Joy: Advent 2025: Day 24

It's Christmas Eve! The most magical night of the entire holiday season. Why? Because it's the night Santa comes to most, but not all, of the children of the world. That being said, it's too late to support the charitable cause that I selected for today. However, after I discuss it, hopefully it will encourage some of you give it some love and attention next year.

Operation Santa is run by the United States Postal Service. For over a century, the USPS has worked with Santa Claus to help the Jolly Old Elf make it a merry Christmas for children in need all over the United States. 

Here's how it works:

• Kids write to Santa Claus with their wishlist.
• Santa posts the letters online where families can select one and help Santa make their wishes come true.
• Once gifts are purchased, wrapped and shipped, a letter goes to the children from Santa thanking them for their letter and answering any questions the child might have for St. Nick.

You can adopt just one child or an entire family. The choice is yours. It's also up to you if you want to buy everything on the child's list or maybe your budget is a little bit tighter and you need to pick in choose. But if you customize, please try to get things that the child might actually enjoy. If they ask for a Batman Batcave playset that costs $100 and all you can afford is $35, don't buy them Avengers toys. At least get them something Batman related. An action figure of the Dark Knight and his main for the Joker can go a long way for a needy child.

The deadline for this year's Operation Santa has passed. Yet it's not too late to plan ahead for next year! Be sure to check it out and bookmark it here. It'll be another holiday season before you know it.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 228

Today marks a 40th anniversary. It's one of which inspired me to develop A Madman Turns 40.  40 years ago today, the King died. Yes, I'm talking about Elvis.

Elvis Presley was a cultural icon. He maybe didn't develop his country-bluesy style. But he was the one who brought 'black music' as his critics called it, to the masses. 

Elvis is one of those people who was in the right place at the right time. His gyrating hips would have been unthinkable if he has hit the music scene earlier than he did. But by the 1950s, a new populace was arising in the US- the teenager. Prior to World War II, teens and kids weren't mass marketed to. But with the baby boom, marketers saw a new untapped resource in which to advertise to. Elvis was the perfect product for kids looking to rebel a little from their ultra-conservative and uptight parents.

Elvis takes his last journey out of Graceland.

My Grandmama loved Elvis. She had seen every one of his movies. Had every one of his albums. So when the news broke of Elvis' death 2 things happened:

1. She cried, and cried, and cried.
2. She packed a bag and drove all night to Memphis to Graceland in order to be among the mourners and well wishers.

Funeral Procession of Elvis. Somewhere in this picture is my Grandmama.

Before she passed in 1990, my Grandmama returned to Graceland to tour it. I remember her showing me pictures and postcards. We'd listen to her Elvis records while she either put together a puzzle or made chocolate Elvis suckers for some community fundraiser or another.

A few years after she died, I asked and got for Christmas a 3-D puzzle of Graceland, which I put together thinking of her and listening to Elvis tunes. 

I think more than anything, on this day, I missed her more than the King.

Scenes from Elvis' funeral August 18, 1977.

I also think this is all I can do today for my look at my favorite year. 

Before I go,  have a listen at the favorite Elvis tune of both my Grandmama and myself.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, Suspicious Minds....

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 51

 

  On this day in 1977 history, the 19th running of the Daytona 500 occurred. The winner of the race was Cale Yarborough. It was his second win of this race. He'd go on to win 2 more times at Daytona before retiring.

    Also of note about this race, driver Janet Guthrie became the first woman to ever complete the Daytona 500. She'd also become the first woman to complete the Indianapolis 500. 

And their off...
Janet Guthrie's car is 2nd from the left lane of drivers.

   Now,  I'm not what you call a NASCAR fan. I've been to a race and I've seen my fair share of races on TV. But I just can't call myself a fan.

Janet Guthrie during the driver intros.

    I like cars. I like going fast. I love the designs on the cars, especially if they're for something special like promoting a movie or something. But I just can't call myself a fan.

  But the reason is quite simple- when you are a little kid it is impossible for them to sit through a 200 lap race! Anything over the number 10 is an eternity for a kid! I think it's one reason why I liked playing sports as a kid but I didn't really enjoy watching it until I was older. Everything just seemed way too long...

    My dad's father was a huge fan of racing and every Sunday, he'd have the race on. Generally, if my cousins were around, we'd all be out playing while my grandpa, dad, and his brothers all watched NASCAR. (But if I was to only kid around, those race days would be the longest of my life.)

Driver Bobby Wawak's car caught fire after a crash.

  
    I have a distinct feeling that this race wasn't watched by my grandfather. That's because also on this date in Madman history, Elvis Presley played a concert in Charlotte, NC. 

    My grandmama was a huge fan of the King. It's been passed down as legend that the day Elvis died, my grandmama packed a bag and drove all night to Memphis and was in attendance along Elvis Presley Boulevard when the hearse carrying Elvis' body drove into Graceland. So, I have a feeling my grandparents were in attendance for the concert and didn't watch this Daytona 500. Or at least that's what I'd like to imagine. 

   I know this post was supposed to be about race car driving, but I just can't help leaving you without a glimpse of the magical night in the Queen City.

   Enjoy... 

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 46

   Even a Madman deserves a day off...

   Until tomorrow, enjoy this video of photos and the song 'Boss Man' from Elvis' February 15th, 1977 concert in Orlando, FL.

Red Rocket 7

  Red Rocket.

It’s a mystery that has fascinated music lovers and musicians alike for the past 60 years. A young man with striking red hair, who seemingly never ages, keeps popping up throughout the annals of music history.

  Elvis- he was there, learning the newest rockabilly chords.

  The Beatles- he was there, working as a roadie.

  Bowie- he was there, inspiring the genius’s Ziggy Stardust personality.

  And then in the 1980s, he just disappeared.

  Jump ahead 18-years and now there’s a new band with a lead guitarist, as ginger as can be, claiming to be Red Rocket.

   Is it the same man? His son? An impostor? And just where has Red Rocket been for the last 2 decades?

   An intrepid young music journalist seeks to find the answers to all these questions. As her research opens her eyes to the secret history of rock music, so will her stream of consciousness, as the mystery of the Red Rocket 7 will take her to the farthest edges of the galaxy and beyond.

     Last year, Mike Allred made no excuses to show his love and devotion to the artist David Bowie when he lost his battle with cancer. Really, Allred's fandom has been evident for years, like the cover to Madman: Atomic Comics #15, in which he renders his beloved creation with Bowie’s Space Oddity lighting bolt across his face.

     Reading this 1998 book, I was struck with two thoughts. One: Red Rocket is the music version of Forrest Gump as the character is involved with every major rock movement from the early 50s up to 1998. Secondly, (and most importantly): This is Allred’s Space Oddity or The Man Who Fell To Earth. I’m not sure which. Could be both. No matter which it is, Red Rocket 7 is also some very trippy stuff.

      Elvis, the Stones, The Ramones, and the Dandy Warhols play some major supporting roles in this book. But it’s Bowie's book through and through. If you love David Bowie, this is the comic book series you must read- even if it’s in that odd 45 record shape.

      Amazing artwork by Allred. He’s one of my favorites and his wife Laura who does the inks and colors IS my favorite in the industry. I may not understand all of the zen the Allreds put into this love song to rock & roll, but I loved Red Rocket 7 nonetheless.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Graphic Elvis: Free Comic Book Day Sampler

Graphic Elvis is a coffee table book full of pieces done by some of the top graphic artists and writers of today. This Free Comic Book Day offering is comprised of pin-ups from the book and Elvis quotes or quotes from famous fans about the King.

Also included in book this preview and the book itself is a cosmic tale about Elvis’ trip to Paradise after passing on Aug. 16, 1977. That tale is penned by Marvel legend, Stan Lee. Though this wasn’t drawn by Jack Kirby, the artwork is done in the style of the King of Comics. It’s a very heart-warming tale that will make you believe in a rock-n-roll heaven.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.