President
George Bush
and Japanese Prime Minister
Junichiro Koizumi on route to visit Graceland today. Referring to the
title of an Elvis Presley song, he told reporters waiting to ask
questions: ''Don't Be Cruel - keep that in mind.'' In return Bush
gave Koizumi a jukebox during their meeting. The first song, Koizumi
said will play on the old-fashioned jukebox that only plays 45 rpm vinyl
records will be Presley's ''I Want You, I Need You, I Love You.'' After
the two spoke about topics ranging from North Korea's missile program to
the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Suddenly Koizumi wrapped up
the news conference, in English. ''Thank you very much, American
people, for 'Love Me Tender'. Most of the questions from the
US media were about yesterday's US Supreme Court ruling declaring Bush's
Guantanamo Bay military tribunals illegal. As one Japanese diplomat put
it: ''It started with Don't Be Cruel finished with Love Me
Tender and in the middle was Jailhouse Rock.'' Koizumi
gave Bush a contemporary ink drawing giant portrait of the baseball
legend of Babe Ruth in Japan.
We all know Bill
Clinton & Boris Yeltsin are
Elvis fans, but did you know that
Junichiro Koizumi, the Prime Minister of Japan is also an avid Elvis
fan. Not only that, Koizumi is proud to share the same birthday
with his hero every January 8. Koizumi & President Bush toured
Graceland on June 30
Koizumi's great wish was
to see upstairs at Graceland which has never been open to the
public. Even a head of state could convince the Presley family to
get special treatment. As always, the upstairs of the house, including
the bathroom where Elvis died, will be discreetly cordoned off.
Jack Soden, CEO of EPE Inc, defends the partial view of Elvis's home,
saying: "There is no respectful or dignified way to include it in a
tour of the house." Koizumi can't see
Elvis' bedroom but you can
It
will be Koizumi his first trip abroad since being swept into power in
late April. The two leaders, who have both stressed the significance of
the Japanese-U.S. alliance.
Junichiro Koizumi rose to power in the party election and has assumed
the office of Japan's Prime Minister in April 2001. Unlike most of his
predecessors in the nation's political scene, Koizumi is a man of
idiosyncrasy.
He declared himself as a "crank" or hen-jin (in
Japanese) and an avid Elvis Presley fan wearing unique hair style
makes him kind of oddity among his rather "faceless" party
colleagues.
"I have been an Elvis fan since my young days and love music from
classics to rock" Indeed, Mr. Koizumi has been one of the
important figures to support the Japanese, Elvis Presley Fan Club.
Mr. Masaya Koizumi, the Prime Minister's younger brother, is the senior
consultant and assists the fan club's efforts to keep the Elvis Presley
memory and music legacy alive in Japan.
Without the Koizumi brothers' resolute participation, Elvis statue
could not have become a reality 14 years ago. Then only a member of the
House of Representatives, Mr. Koizumi, stood in the line of honor
during the unveiling ceremony of the statue July 19, 1987. When, Elvis:
The Concert toured Japan, he was seen among fanatical audiences
stomping the floor and yelling the cheers. "He knew everything
about Elvis, and even words of many songs," confessed Tad Akazawa,
the president of the fan club who was seat next to the Prime Minister
Mr. Koizumi, then told the press, "Having the Prime Minister who
is a devoted Elvis fan is a great honor for the nation's people as a
whole."
"Young Bush mimicked Elvis before the classmates when he was in
elementary school. There is no doubt that the relationship between
Japan and U.S. delves into real understanding of opposite partner"
"Yes, I really love Elvis. I am not fussy about genres of music,
from classics to rock. However, Elvis, I admit has been my favorite
singer for a very long time. It was my younger brother, who is also an
Elvis maniac enlightened me about Elvis."
"But I took a liking to Elvis as he was before he went into the
army. I watch with excitement when he made his sensational debut on
television. Elvis is the best and a class by himself. Whether he sings
rock or ballad or any type of songs."
"I never get tired of listening no matter how many times I hear
him over more than 40 years in my life. My favourite Elvis songs have
to be, "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You",
"Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "Bridge Over Troubled
Water…" When "Elvis: The Concert" came to Japan in Nov. 1999, I
went to Tokyo Forum not to miss this once-in-my-life chance. It was so
electrifying! Really touching."
Since I took office (of the Prime Minister), I have been so busy that I
literally have no time for sleep. But on weekends, when I find time to
be back (to my private) home, and I can afford listening to Elvis songs
after weeks long craving. "His voice eases off my
fatigue." "There has never be a superstar like Elvis
before nor after Elvis! Elvis is the greatest singer ever lived in the
20th century."
"These days, I feel sort of healing power from his Gospels songs.
No doubt, Elvis' recordings are godsend legacy of art from the
last century. Elvis will be remembered forever, so will his
songs." We should share this legacy with many more people, not
just Elvis fans, but more especially we should teach the younger
generation about this 50’s generation singer who was our hero" Guess who is also an avid
Elvis fans?
