Hound Dog
The Japanese have always struck me as a strange and delightful people.* What I learnt about Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Friday confirmed this.
Koizumi is a mad Elvis fan. Mad enough, it seems, for a reporter from the ABC's World Today program to describe his visit to Graceland, the former home of Elvis, as a "defining moment" in his US tour.
Mad enough that George Bush gave him a 1954 jukebox containing all Elvis' songs as a gift. (I don't know what the songs on the box are, but I've been told they're all by Elvis.) Mad enough that Koizumi released an Elvis tribute CD shortly after he became Prime Minister.
I'm trying to picture John Howard releasing an album of his favourite Seekers' tracks, perhaps as a farewell gesture before handing over the reigns of power to Peter C...I can't.
Apparently, Koizumi's brother was the President of the Elvis Fan Club in Japan; Koizumi was a member. Apparently Koizumi sung an Elvis song for George Bush's 59th birthday.
It's quirks such as these, often taken to extreme lengths, that I love about the Japanese.
For more information, see: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1675509.htm
*Just as, I'm sure, many people from overseas view Australians as strange and delightful.
Koizumi is a mad Elvis fan. Mad enough, it seems, for a reporter from the ABC's World Today program to describe his visit to Graceland, the former home of Elvis, as a "defining moment" in his US tour.
Mad enough that George Bush gave him a 1954 jukebox containing all Elvis' songs as a gift. (I don't know what the songs on the box are, but I've been told they're all by Elvis.) Mad enough that Koizumi released an Elvis tribute CD shortly after he became Prime Minister.I'm trying to picture John Howard releasing an album of his favourite Seekers' tracks, perhaps as a farewell gesture before handing over the reigns of power to Peter C...I can't.
Apparently, Koizumi's brother was the President of the Elvis Fan Club in Japan; Koizumi was a member. Apparently Koizumi sung an Elvis song for George Bush's 59th birthday.
It's quirks such as these, often taken to extreme lengths, that I love about the Japanese.
For more information, see: http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200606/s1675509.htm
*Just as, I'm sure, many people from overseas view Australians as strange and delightful.
posted by Sauntering Walker at 5:14 PM
3 Comments:
Did you see them on TV? Bush and Koizumi were doing a photo-op and Koizumi-san spontaneously burst into song... trying to sweep Dubya up in the moment along with him. Bush just smiled and looked on diplomatically. Funny as.
There's a radio show called "Elvis Lives" at 11am to 12pm on Saturdays on 107.3 FM. It includes everything, from Elvis' heart-felt Gospel renditions to his trashy movie soundtrack numbers. It's surprising just how many songs Elvis recorded - more than enough to fill a jukebox or a weekly radio show.
Of course, you already know my opinion of the Japanese...
Touché Bland: a different species!
Stevo, didn't see the 'news' piece; your description is funny enough. It sounds as though it was a very Japanese form of exuberance.
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