Whee! A Ride (and Crash) With Elvis | July 8, 1960

Elvis Presley and several friends took a spin around McKellar Lake in his new boat Friday July 8, 1960.

Elvis purchased the 16-foot powder blue speedboat the night before.

Elvis said he had first become interested in boating while in California.

Asked if he planned to ski, he said: 'Not today. Don't want to make an idiot of myself'.

Elvis Presley has me 'All shook Up'. The next time he invites me to take a spin around McKellar Lake, I'm going to take out travel insurance first. Elvis bought himself a new $2000 16-foot boat to water ski with.

He and four chums were trying it out yester-day afternoon when yours truly arrived on the scene. 

An Invitation

'Want to take a ride?' Elvis said to me. (I should have known better, because he had just said: 'This is the first time I ever drove a boat.')

Well, sir, let me tell you – Elvis is a good driver. He just hasn't learned how to stop yet.

With Elvis at the wheel, we roared off. The nose of the boat lifted high out of the water.

We passed several other boats. 'Hey, that was Elvis.' A girl shouted.

Clocked at 38 Par

Another boat pulled alongside, clocked Elvis at 38 mph. Not bad, but nothing like his Cadillacs.

We banked and Elvis headed the blue and white speedster back toward the Marina.

Your reporter's hand clutched a life preserver as Elvis began playfully zig-zagging the boat.

Then the Marina loomed up ahead. Elvis cut the motor and reached for the reverse shift to break the impact.

He couldn't get it into reverse. Then – WHAM.

Dock Survives

'Well, that's one way of stopping it,' Elvis said. We scrambled out of the boat. The dock wasn't damaged, but a mooring ring on Elvis' new boat was smashed. I thanked Elvis for the ride, put my pencil and pad away and left. I don't mind covering the waterfront but I will stay ashore next time.

Presley's New Boat Inspected -- 'I Want it Safe', He Tells Phillips

Elvis Presley wasted no time in taking his brand new speed boat to Jack Phillips, waterfront safety director at McKellar Lake for a courtesy safe inspection.

'Look at my boat,' Elvis said from beneath his new black yachting cap. 'I want a safe boat. Tell me what I need.'

Elvis was the last person to have a boat inspected during National Boat Safety Week, which ended Saturday. Phillips said that the inspection will continue at the lake's ramp, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.

The courtesy examination sticker is put on boats meeting seven requirements.

 1. A safely constructed boat.

2. Proper lighting – red and green lights up front and bright white light in the rear of the boat.

3. Coast Guard approved life preservers for every person in the boat.

(Elvis has nine preservers – more than enough).

4. Three railroad-type red flares.

5. One or more paddles.

6. An anchor, preferably metal, and strong line, preferably 100 feet long or more.

7. A pump or bailer, such as a large bucket.

Memphis Press Scimitar, July 11, 1960

Elvis on Holiday : Water Skiing : July, 1955 & 1956

January 1960

Elvis Presley Leave of absence request | January 2, 1960

March

Elvis Presley 1960 | Sergeant Presley Preparing To Go Home
Elvis Presley March 1, 1960 | Sergeant Presley Preparing To Go Home
Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu during their final moments in Germany: March 2, 1960
Elvis Presley In Scotland | March 3, 1960 | Prestwick Airport in Scotland
Elvis Presley at Fort Dix | March 3, 1960
Elvis Presley being discharged from the Army | March 5, 1960
Sergeant Elvis Presley Back in the USA | March 3, 5, 6 and 7, 1960
Elvis Presley Press Conference at Graceland | March 7, 1960
'Holiday On Ice Company' Visiting at Elvis Home March 12 and 13, 1960
Elvis Presley Rainbow Rollerdrome | March 19, 1960
Elvis Presley Nashville | March 20-21, 1960
Elvis at the rear of a train enroute to Miami | March 21, 1960
Elvis Presley Miami | Hotelroom | March 22, 1960
Elvis Presley and Sheila Riddell | March 24, 1960 Fontainebleau Hotel
Elvis Presley 'The Frank Sinatra Timex Special' | March 1960

April

Elvis Presley Fort Worth, Tx Train Station, April 19, 1960
Elvis Presley On the Train and arriving in Los Angeles California, April 20, 1960 to film G.I. Blues

June

Elvis Presley with Princesses Margrethe of Denmark, Astrid of Norway, and Margaretha of Sweden

July

Boating at McKellar Lake | July 8, 1960
Rollin' in the rocket | Elvis Presley & Anita Wood July 11, 1960
It's Now Or Never / A Messof Blues | Pick Of The Week | July 16, 1960
Photos and Video | Elvis Presley, Bobby Darin and George Burns | July 26, 1960

August

Letter to Colonel Parker from actor George Burns

September

Elvis Presley and Juliet Prowse | September 12, 1960

October

Elvis Presley October 24, 1960 | Arkansas State College and the Man of the Year Award
Elvis Presley Hospital, Memphis | October 16, 1960
Elvis Presley Fairgrounds Amusement Park Memphis | October 26, 1960

The Movies Of 1960

1960, GI Blues, Paramount
1960, Flaming Star, Twentieth Century Fox
1961, Wild In The Country, Twentieth Century Fox

The Movies In Photos

The G.I. Blues Recording Sessions | April 1960
Elvis Presley on the set of G.I. Blues | Paramount 1960
Elvis Presley The G.I. Blues | Publicity Photo Sessions
Flaming Star
Wild In The Country

DVDs | Movies

G.I. Blues
Flaming Star

CDs | DVDs | Books

Buy Elvis Presley CD, DVDs and Books at ...