Evel Knievel RIP
Daredevil & 70’s icon Evel Knievel passed away yesterday at the age of 69. For those of us who grew up in the 70’s there was nothing more exciting that watching Evel make a jump on Wide World of Sports. Every kid, including myself, set up ramps & jumped their bicycle in the same fashion, or so we thought! Despite his legal woes & financial up’s & down’s, he was known at a man whose word meant something & took no shit from anyone.
He had several connections to Las Vegas. Most famous was his attempt to jump over the fountains at Caesars Palace on New Year’s Day 1967. The resulting crash almost killed him & was perhaps his most famous crash. Here is is on YouTube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYGGCVE2lKY
His son Robbie Knievel attempted the same jump in 1989 and he was successful. He also made a jump between the two buildings of the Jockey Club in 1999.
Little known trivia fact: The footage of the crash landing was filmed by Linda Evans, star of the TV show Dynasty in the 80’s. She was married at the time to John Derek who was hired to Evel to film the event. Yes the same John Derek who had another blond wife named Bo. Perhaps you’ve heard of her? Maybe the number 10 rings a bell!
The fountains look a bit different 40 years later but they’re still one of the highlights of the Strip. I got out & snapped a quick cell phone pic today.
He also was a resident here for a time in the 90’s. He did promotion for the old Maxim Hotel in exchange for a penthouse suite. It’s now the Westin Casaurina for you trivia buffs. He was known for doing a shot of Wild Turkey before a jump (can you blame him?) so my business partner & I stopped by the Westin for a tribute to him. Here’s our shots of his drink of choice.
There was others doing daredevil stunts but none did it with more flair & style. If it wasn’t for him there’s be no X Games, no Jackass.
RIP Evel you were an inspiration to a generation. You’ll be missed.