Bush, Koizumi Headed to Graceland
Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 06.15.06 | 9:09 AM ET
The hair should have tipped me off. Turns out Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi is a huge Elvis Presley fan. How huge? “The 64-year-old PM is well known as the most serious Elvis disciple of today’s world leaders,” according to the Washington Post’s Reliable Source column. “He shares a birthday (Jan. 8) with the rock icon, and his brother once ran the Presley fan club’s Yokohama chapter. In 1987, he was one of the key players in erecting a bronze statue of Presley in Tokyo. He’s sung Elvis tunes poolside at [President] Bush’s Crawford ranch and dazzled Condi Rice with his knowledge of Elvis trivia at a G8 dinner. And in 2001, he released a 25-song compilation CD called ‘Junichiro Koizumi Presents: My Favorite Elvis Songs.’ It was sold only in Japan, and all proceeds went to charity.”
So it makes sense that the Bush administration, as a gift to Koizumi before he leaves office in September, plans to take him to Graceland. Or, as the Post calls it, “the awesomest road trip ever (except that they’ll probably fly).” Could this be the Bush administration’s most awesomest move ever? Some hardcore Elvis fans think so.
The trip to Tennessee will take place June 30.
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Michael Yessis is the cofounder and coeditor-in-chief of World Hum.
Jim Burrows 06.15.06 | 3:08 PM ET
Actually, the CD compilation was not made up of songs associated with Elvis, but sang by Koizumi, as the phrase implied, but rather of a number of original Elvis recordings which Koizumi likes the best. Koizumi’s biggest night must have been when he sang “Can’t help falling in love” as a present to Bush, wh was present of course, at a bash organized by Queen Elizabeth II, coinciding with the latest meeting of the G-8. That must have been a blast for him!!
Nena von Bogen 06.16.06 | 6:24 AM ET
To us,Elvis fans this is so wonderful!!!
What a honor to have a Prime Minister and President visit The King,just as so many of us have done for so many years.
Elvis is The King!
TambourineMan 06.21.06 | 1:33 AM ET
Koizumi should serenade Dubya with “(You’re The) Devil in Disguise” during the Graceland visit.
Jim Benning 06.21.06 | 1:53 AM ET
TambourineMan, you never fail to crack me up. Thanks.
Adam Jackon 06.25.06 | 11:20 AM ET
If the President and Prime Minister are going to Memphis, TN, then they should stop at the Arcade Restaurant. Elvis used to eat there every day almost and he even has his own booth. I used to see him a lot in there, which kind of hints to how old I am! Just my personal thought, though. Not only was it one of Elvis’ favorite restaurants, it also has great food and if I remember correctly, it’s one of the oldest in the city!