nsxt2000
10-17-2007, 08:44 PM
Today Robert Knievel, better know by his "nom de flair" EVEL, turns 69 years old! Wonder what the over / under on that ever happening was?
Evel has certainly lived an amazing life in his 69 years - and broken an untold number of bones along the way. I am old enough to remember his publicity about jumping the Snake River Canyon and all of the hoopla leading up to it. Although it sort of fizzeled when he attempted the "jump" we all watched. He holds 4 of the top 20 spots of the most watched Wide World of Sports events of all time. What a showman.
There are many good biographies on the web and worth the read. All include his various arrest for everything from theft to assult to fraud. Among his carreers prior to becoming a household name and synomym for daredevil was an ill-fated business serving as a big game guide. Evel, known then as Bob, guaranteed a kill (in fact his company name was Sure Kill Guide Services) or your money back. Bob came through almost all of the time with the "big kill". Game wardens later discovered that a key to his success was that he took customers into Yellowstone National Park to locate their prey. Business fell off with that disclosure.
After banckrupcy, jail time, women, hard living and illness Evel is still kicking, just not as hard as he use to. Kind of makes my working 9:00 to 5:00 and worrying about the mortgage seem a little lame in comparison. I have always liked the line in one of Conway Twitty's songs in speaking of his father, but it relates to us all - "every person carves his spot and fills the hole with light. I hope someday I might shine as bright as he!"
In spite of his deficiencies Evel's spot shines very bright! If you have a chance check out his life - what he has put into it and what he has taken out.
Happy Birthday Evel!
-Mike S.
Evel has certainly lived an amazing life in his 69 years - and broken an untold number of bones along the way. I am old enough to remember his publicity about jumping the Snake River Canyon and all of the hoopla leading up to it. Although it sort of fizzeled when he attempted the "jump" we all watched. He holds 4 of the top 20 spots of the most watched Wide World of Sports events of all time. What a showman.
There are many good biographies on the web and worth the read. All include his various arrest for everything from theft to assult to fraud. Among his carreers prior to becoming a household name and synomym for daredevil was an ill-fated business serving as a big game guide. Evel, known then as Bob, guaranteed a kill (in fact his company name was Sure Kill Guide Services) or your money back. Bob came through almost all of the time with the "big kill". Game wardens later discovered that a key to his success was that he took customers into Yellowstone National Park to locate their prey. Business fell off with that disclosure.
After banckrupcy, jail time, women, hard living and illness Evel is still kicking, just not as hard as he use to. Kind of makes my working 9:00 to 5:00 and worrying about the mortgage seem a little lame in comparison. I have always liked the line in one of Conway Twitty's songs in speaking of his father, but it relates to us all - "every person carves his spot and fills the hole with light. I hope someday I might shine as bright as he!"
In spite of his deficiencies Evel's spot shines very bright! If you have a chance check out his life - what he has put into it and what he has taken out.
Happy Birthday Evel!
-Mike S.