(no subject)

[greatbear]

Evel Knievel, famed daredevil and standard fixture at orthopedic surgeons far and wide, has died at age 69.

This guy was a total sensation when I was growing up. I dont think there was anything he didnt want to jump with a motorcycle. So, that he did. On those not-so-rare occasions where he biffed the landing, betting pools would crop up to see how many bones were broken. Despite all the shattered bones and other complications, it was failing health that finally did the deed.

If it werent for Knievel, we'd probably have no "Jackass", BASE jumping, bungee jumping, or Black Friday.

He'll be missed by millions, but his feats of daring will live on forever.

Comments

[geometrician.livejournal.com]

I was an EK fanatic -- I couldn't miss anything that had his name on it. I had a crush on his kid, who was a little older than me.

In addition to his "job," he generally lived life to the fullest. A perfect example of skidding into the grave sideways -- "What a ride!"

[grunter.livejournal.com]

Wow. I remember as clear as day throwing a perfectly huge pouty-hissy fit because I wasn't going to be allowed to watch Evel Knievel try to leap Snake River Canyon. It was the very first time I think I ever attempted the peer pressure trump card on my folks. "All of the kids - BUT ME! - will be talking about it at school tomorrow, Mom."

It didn't work, of course. But hey, I gave it a shot.

[ciddyguy.livejournal.com]

I was never an Evil Knievel fan but was well aware of him and his exploits through other venues back in the 70's primarily.

I heard about him passing on NPR on my way home tonight from work.

[fingertrouble.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine as a kid had the wind-up toy. That crashed all the time too LOL