Is Kanye West the grim reaper?
Just days after settling a trademark infringement suite with Kanye West, legendary motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel has passed away. What's more shocking than Knievel's death is the fact that he was still alive.
He inspired a generation of kids (me included) to get out on their bikes and build their own ramps and jump things. He was also the original "reality television" and his stunts make the Jackass gang look like pussies. He was one-of-a-kind and very much a man of his times. That time came and went, yet he managed to keep his brittle bag of bones alive and vibrant decades longer than he probably deserved to. Kenievel's last picture was the one above, but to me he'll always be this guy...
Video of that near fatal jump over the fountain at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas below the break...
Then there was Evel's jump over the Snake River...
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Comments (10)
Snake River Canyon Jump was... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Imhotep | November 30, 2007 5:13 PM | Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Snake River Canyon Jump was still my favorite.
Dude was indistructable!
1. Posted by Imhotep | November 30, 2007 5:13 PM |
Score: 0 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 17:13
2. Posted by Peter F. | November 30, 2007 5:34 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Oh man, that IS a bummer.
I used to have an Evil Knievel doll that came with a bike and this contraption that you wound up and then let fly. I think the toy stayed up right for about 10ft before tipping over. Kinda like Evil himself.
Anyway, sad news for sure. A real American icon!
2. Posted by Peter F. | November 30, 2007 5:34 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 17:34
3. Posted by Peter F. | November 30, 2007 5:38 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Here's the toy:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.iamspencer.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/12/eviltoys.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.iamspencer.com/category/holiday/&h=154&w=200&sz=10&hl=en&start=1&sig2=7fZzYRaUURamQ4M2PvdWfQ&um=1&tbnid=vh9PZYEMXgIvdM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=104&eid=R5BQR4vuFZ60gALKgLXJDg&prev=
Played right along side my Steve "The $6 million Man" Austin action figure (not manly to call it a doll, even though I did in my first post. lol)
3. Posted by Peter F. | November 30, 2007 5:38 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 17:38
4. Posted by Tom Blogical | November 30, 2007 5:48 PM | Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
I used to have that same Evel Knievel...er...uh...figurine, too. The wind up thing pinched my hand once. That's when I knew I had a great toy.
4. Posted by Tom Blogical | November 30, 2007 5:48 PM |
Score: 2 (2 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 17:48
5. Posted by LaMedusa | November 30, 2007 8:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's a miracle he lived as long as he did, with all of those injuries and health problems. He just got tired, is all. Such a full and daring life, even if it feels like he went to soon. May he rest in peace.
5. Posted by LaMedusa | November 30, 2007 8:48 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 20:48
6. Posted by Liberal Nitemare | November 30, 2007 10:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Evel was my hero!
I used to line my kid brothers and sister up behind the ramp and jump them on my bike.
I almost always made it!
Evel was a one of a kind, its gonna be a different world without him in it.
6. Posted by Liberal Nitemare | November 30, 2007 10:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on November 30, 2007 22:15
7. Posted by jaymaster | December 1, 2007 12:43 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
In his own words:
http://weirdscifi.ratiosemper.com/evelknievel/files/evelonlife.wav
7. Posted by jaymaster | December 1, 2007 12:43 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 1, 2007 00:43
8. Posted by Paul Hooson | December 1, 2007 1:15 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Evel was a way cool biker dude all his life. But he also inspired the most Holy Spirit filled event ever at Robert Schuller's Crystal Cathedral earlier this year, with a very sincere and moving testimony that brought numerous people to a real relationship with Christ. Robert Schuller will be sure to honor his great friend.
8. Posted by Paul Hooson | December 1, 2007 1:15 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 1, 2007 01:15
9. Posted by Paul | December 1, 2007 6:21 AM | Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
>He inspired a generation of kids (me included) to get out on their bikes and build their own ramps and jump things
Cracked rib and still have the scar on my elbow.
Note to any young readers, make sure you don't trust Timmy from across the street to build your ramps for you. The damn thing might fly apart just as you get airborne. Always check your ramp yourself.
9. Posted by Paul | December 1, 2007 6:21 AM |
Score: 1 (1 votes cast)
Posted on December 1, 2007 06:21
10. Posted by Spurwing Plover | December 2, 2007 2:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Just think of how valible his toys will become as collectors items
depp=true
10. Posted by Spurwing Plover | December 2, 2007 2:54 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 2, 2007 14:54