I guess you could say “I’m all shook up” about Baz Luhrmann‘s Elvis biopic with Austin Butler as The King and Tom Hanks as The Colonel! “Elvis” from Warner Bros. Pictures in theatres June 24.

Playing Elvis’ music and watching his incredible success was no match for meeting him and introducing him onstage in Vancouver in August 1957. I was 20 and it still ranks as one of the most memorable moments of my life!

Elvis and I waited in one of the BC Lions‘ football dressing rooms waiting for Empire Stadium to fill up with fans. These were intimate moments and he was restless — literally a bundle of nervous energy. We talked about growing up poor. We discussed the changing world, his family, my family, his love of Rhythm and Blues, his love of Country music and Gospel music.

Elvis nervously took his wrist watch and twisted the expansion bracelet while he talked. He discussed his ambitions about his music. He wanted to continue to perform as long as possible. Elvis said he had been lucky, and that he wanted the luck to continue. Who could blame him? He asked me about my radio show, the kids that listened, how they reacted to his television appearances and his records. He seemed most interested in his fans and their response to him.

Just before I was to leave the dressing room to go out and bring on the other acts that were to precede his appearance on stage Elvis stood up, stretched out his hand and said, “It was nice meeting you, good luck with your radio career and I hope we get to see each other again down the road.” This was Elvis Presley, 1957.