Bush, Koizumi sing a duet at White House welcome / The president's gift of a jukebox to the Elvis-loving Japanese leader prompts crooning | |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 74764 Ireland 07/03/2006 06:00 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Bush, Koizumi sing a duet at White House welcome / The president's gift of a jukebox to the Elvis-loving Japanese leader prompts crooning ROCK 'N' ROLL DIPLOMACY By JULIE MASON Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle MEMPHIS - President Bush chatting with Lisa Marie Presley. The Japanese prime minister singing from Man of La Mancha. The Air Force One galley crew serving fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Historians may be hard pressed to choose the strangest image from Bush's visit to Graceland on Friday with Japan's Junichiro Koizumi, lifelong and devout Elvis Presley fan. But it was clear that a corner was turned in U.S diplomatic relations. No longer is a visit to Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford the measure of alliance with the commander in chief. Now it takes a visit to the holy church of American kitsch. At the mansion/tourist attraction where Presley lived and died, Koizumi was so visibly happy it appeared at times he might levitate. And he broke into song, Elvis song, every few moments. "I knew he loved Elvis," Bush said. "I didn't realize how much he loved Elvis." The venerated home was closed to the public for the Bush-Koizumi visit. The two, along with first lady Laura Bush, got a private tour from Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, widow and daughter of the music icon, respectively. The pilgrimage was a first for Bush, a first for Koizumi, and the first time an American president toured Graceland. "When I was young, my exposure to America was Presley — which is a vivid memory of my youth," said Koizumi, 64. "The first English song I ever learned by heart was Presley's I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," a 1956 hit single. |
Anonymous Coward (OP) User ID: 74764 Ireland 07/03/2006 06:01 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Bush, Koizumi sing a duet at White House welcome / The president's gift of a jukebox to the Elvis-loving Japanese leader prompts crooning THE JAPANESE ELVIS Five facts about Japan's outgoing prime minister: •Koizumi and Elvis Presley have the same birthday, Jan. 8. The Japanese leader says the coincidence is "one of the things I'm so proud of" •Koizumi's brother, Masaya, once ran the Elvis fan club in Yokohama. He was also instrumental in erecting a Presley statue in Tokyo. •In 2003, Koizumi sang Elvis songs with actor Tom Cruise while the star was in Japan to promote The Last Samurai . •After taking office in 2001, Koizumi released a CD of his 25 favorite Elvis hits, including Are you Lonesome Tonight? Proceeds went to charity. •On Thursday, President Bush gave Koizumi a jukebox with Elvis songs and Koizumi, in halting English said: "Thank you very much American people for Love Me Tender " |
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Ojos de Brujo User ID: 111199 Japan 07/03/2006 08:36 PM Report Abusive Post Report Copyright Violation | Re: Bush, Koizumi sing a duet at White House welcome / The president's gift of a jukebox to the Elvis-loving Japanese leader prompts crooning " This is the End,.... my only friend ! " THE DOORS... its this way.... [link to www.youtube.com] |