Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. He was 42 years old.

Hank Jr. was on to something in 1988 when he called for memorializing The King with a holiday. August happens to be the only month where we don't have a regular or even occasional official or traditional holiday.

Of course, when you go to the Internet, you'll be told something different. We looked today and there are no less than 18 "holidays" scheduled for today. "National Men's Grooming Day," and "National Roller Coaster Day" are amongst these farcical celebrations. So, take that for what it is worth.

Elvis was a cultural icon—one of the biggest in the entire 20th century. Whether the South won or not, a day for The King should be set aside on the calendar. August is particularly fitting.

A lot of folks are "burnt out" this time of year. Most of us can't figure out why.

Elvis contemporary, Sam Cooke, sang in his version of a Gershwin tune, "Summertime and the living is easy / Fish are jumping and the cotton is high."

There should, therefore, be no problems in the summer. Bliss. It should be a carefree life.

Elvis succumbing to cardiac issues on his bathroom floor suggests otherwise—many of us, unwittingly, have more stress built up this time of year. You can't always just grab a hold of something, bite your lip, and give it hell. There may be severe consequences, as per Elvis's example.

But know that we're gonna get through this.

It is hard, though. Many of our communities have saddled children and their families with the added stress of going back to the industrial children's prisons they call "schools" in early August. Students, in most places, no longer have a full summer—the one thing nearly every schoolkid looked forward to each year in those salad days of this republic.

Labor Day, the first holiday in September, is a good benchmark for re-starting the school year. Let's not complicate things. Let's not make the summer any more stressful.

In fact, add that King's Demise holiday in August and it will go a long way to improving the lives of Americans—particularly those who appreciate rock 'n' roll.

What else will go a long way to improving the lives of Americans?

Our new magazine, The Los Gatos Review. It will soon become a touchstone for right-minded people—those, for instance, who appreciate Elvis, his music, and other pleasant things within our culture.

As always,

Brian

P.S. — for a look inside the magazine and for submission guidelines: https://briandoleary.com/lgr