RIP Evel Knievel

There are 12 replies in this Thread which has previously been viewed 2,612 times. The latest Post () was by The Ringo Kid.

Participate now!

Don’t have an account yet? Register yourself now and be a part of our community!

Register Yourself Login

    Legendary Evel Knievel King of The Daredevils passes away today.

    Mike


    US daredevil Evel Knievel dies


    Knievel famously attempted to jump Snake River Canyon


    Legendary US daredevil Evel Knievel has died at the age of 69, his granddaughter has said.
    Knievel had suffered ill-health, including diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis - an incurable lung condition - for several years.
    He underwent a liver transplant, after nearly dying of hepatitis C, in 1999.
    Knievel gained cult status performing death-defying stunts in the 1960s and 70s, including an attempted motorcycle jump over Snake River Canyon in Idaho.
    Rocket-powered bike
    He regularly drew huge crowds when he attempted to jump over rows of parked vehicles with his motorbike.
    "They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel once said.
    In one famous incident in 1968, he attempted to jump over the fountains at the Caesars Palace casino in Las Vegas.
    The resulting crash put him in a coma for 29 days, but brought him a large amount of publicity. His 1974 attempt to cross the Snake River Canyon in Idaho on a rocket-powered bike also failed, when a parachute opened prematurely and he fell into the river. By the time he retired in 1980 Knievel had broken nearly 40 bones.

    Hi Mike, you beat me to it by a short while.

    Rest in Peace Evel, man im sure going to miss your stunts.

    He was born: Roberg Craig Knievel on: October 17th 1938.

    I remember watching on live TV, his attempt at jumping the Snake River. Also, I was one of those boys on the block, that just "HAD" to have an Evel Knieval Doll w/ stunt Motorcycle. My friend O.J. Rodriguez (no relation to you know who) and I, use to race them down his fathers driveway until one time by accident, my Motorcycle was run over and ruined by a car.

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..

    Like you, Ringo, I also grew up watching his stunts on TV. We all sat around the tv just to see him jump and hopefully not crash. He was a rough customer but he will be remembered. His son does the same thing now. I've seen him jump his bike from one tall building to another. Must be in the genes. Rest in Peace, Evel.

    Mark

    "I couldn't go to sleep at night if the director didn't call 'cut'. "

    I was just taking a long look at his photo in the 1st posting and, if you take a long look, doesn't he kinda resemble Robert Mitchum when he was much younger or-Christopher Mitchum at an older age?

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..

    Yes, there is a resemblance to Mitchum. George Hamilton who played him in a movie didnt much look much like him but it had some good moments like the chases and stunts.

    Mike

    If it was Saturday or Sunday afternoon and Evil was on ABC's Wide World of Sports...I was there. He was a true original. I doubt whether or not today's X-Games kids realize how much they owe to this man. He invented everything they do. After we watched EK on tv, we would all go out and jump our bikes from the curbs and build small ramps. One time he even drove through my neighborhood and handed out posters. It was cool.


    He'll be missed.

    Quote from DukePilgrim

    Yes, there is a resemblance to Mitchum. George Hamilton who played him in a movie didnt much look much like him but it had some good moments like the chases and stunts.

    Mike




    Hi Mike, WOW, I had completely forgotten about that movie. I saw it when it came out and do agree that Hamilton does not resemble him at all.

    And glad someone else noticed his resemblance to Mitchum. I asked a few folks here at the library what they thought and it was unanimus (SP?) they thought I was crazy for thinking so.:wink:

    Es Ist Verboten Mit Gefangenen In Einzelhaft Zu Sprechen..