Elvis, Superman, Annette and me

Elvis Presley performs on the "Ed Sullivan Show" in this Sept. 9, 1956, file photo, which was his first of several appearances on the CBS show. (AP Photo/Museum of Television & Radio/FILE)

It’s August 16, 2012.   Thirty-five years ago, Elvis Presley died at his home in Graceland.  I was 2 years old.

I became a fan of Elvis after his death, mostly because of my mom, who was, and is, a huge Elvis fan.  I wrote about that last year. My wife and I still enjoy Elvis, and we’ve even introduced our kids to his music to some degree, as has their grandmother.

Fifteen years ago was August 16, 1997, the 20th anniversary of Elvis’ death.  Coincidentally or not, that’s the date the Superman story “Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?” by Alan Moore takes place.  This is very possibly my favorite Superman story of all time.  It’s also a favorite of my wife, Annette, who enjoys the Silver Age Superman.

For me, the most personally important thing to happen on Aug. 16, with all due respect to Elvis and Superman, was marrying the former Annette Berry.  This was also on Aug. 16, 1997.