Evel Knievel (1938-2007) - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

QuasiMondo · 11-30-2007, 02:11 PM

The passing of an American legend.

Quote:

CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Evel Knievel, the hard-living motorcycle daredevil whose jumps over Greyhound buses, live sharks and Idaho's Snake River Canyon made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

[+] EnlargeMichael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Evel Knievel suffered nearly 40 broken bones before retiring in 1980.

Knievel's death was confirmed by his granddaughter, Krysten Knievel. He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs.

Knievel had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his bone-shattering spills.

Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed 1974 attempt to jump Snake River Canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas. He suffered nearly 40 broken bones before he retired in 1980.

Although he dropped off the pop culture radar in the '80s, Knievel always had fans and enjoyed a resurgence in popularity in recent years. In later years he still made a good living selling his autographs and endorsing products. Thousands came to Butte, Mont., every year as his legend was celebrated during the "Evel Knievel Days" festival.

"They started out watching me bust my ass, and I became part of their lives," Knievel said. "People wanted to associate with a winner, not a loser. They wanted to associate with someone who kept trying to be a winner."

His death came just two days after it was announced that he and rapper Kanye West had settled a federal lawsuit over the use of Knievel's trademarked image in a popular West music video.

I think I'll dig out my old Royce-Union and jump a curb in his honor.

Cynthetiq · 11-30-2007, 02:33 PM

ride on man... ride on...

I used to love playing with this...

guthmund · 11-30-2007, 03:39 PM

1938-2008?

Did I have another one of my blackouts?

R.I.P. Evel.

telekinetic · 11-30-2007, 03:53 PM

RIP to a great American legend.

Incidently, I feel like a terrible person.

Spoiler: he was in my 2007 deadpool. I am ashamed.

Redlemon · 11-30-2007, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cynthetiq

I used to love playing with this...

Did it have one of those red toothed strips that you thread through the back wheel, then pull out quickly to make the wheel spin? If so, I had one as well. Loved it!

Rest in mostly one piece, Evel.

Charlatan · 11-30-2007, 04:33 PM

I had one of those too! Man I loved making it jump.

Evel was a massive star when I was kid. I don't think any of us thought he'd survive this long.

RIP

Cynthetiq · 11-30-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redlemon

Did it have one of those red toothed strips that you thread through the back wheel, then pull out quickly to make the wheel spin? If so, I had one as well. Loved it!

Rest in mostly one piece, Evel.

nope... it was something more like this

you revved it up and then launched it...

this site has a good representation of it.... with animation goodness!!!

http://www.firebox.com/product/1430?src_t=t20

relive the jump through the circle of fire!!!!! and the death defying face jump!!!

http://www.firebox.com/video/660

Charlatan · 11-30-2007, 08:59 PM

That's the one I remember.

Craven Morehead · 11-30-2007, 09:33 PM

I saw him in the early 70s. Maybe 1974. It was at Greatlakes Dragaway in Union Grove WI. He did a quarter mile wheelie, jumped a bunch of cars and rode around on a jet powered cycle. He was very, very cool at the time.

RIP Evel

squeeeb · 12-01-2007, 06:43 AM

he made his final jump all the way to heaven. he was 69.

not even his son will be as important and such a part of american culture.

bobby · 12-01-2007, 06:53 AM

What a great icon of the 60/70's..............to bad the Grand Canyon jump failed.....It would have been his masterpiece...........xoxoxoo

http://youtube.com/watch?v=fxgm5uM64hc

Push-Pull · 12-01-2007, 06:54 AM

And let's hope that his rocket motor didn't fail him this time....

God Speed Evil.

Bill O'Rights · 12-03-2007, 07:24 AM

Diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis? That's not the way that Evel Knievel was supposed to go out. Something about that just isn't right.

Now...about that toy. I had the same thing. In fact, I recently unearthed the "launcher" in my garage. But, unfortunately, the motorcycle, and the "action figure" have been lost to the ages.
So, if anyone has the motorcycle and the figure, without a launcher, maybe we can get together and relive our childhoods.

thadon · 12-05-2007, 12:29 PM

wow, that sucks .. now he is jumping the clouds above

11-30-2007, 02:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	ride on man... ride on... I used to love playing with this... __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

11-30-2007, 03:39 PM	#3 (permalink)
guthmund big damn hero	1938-2008? Did I have another one of my blackouts? R.I.P. Evel. __________________ No signature. None. Seriously. Last edited by guthmund; 11-30-2007 at 03:42 PM..

11-30-2007, 03:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	RIP to a great American legend. Incidently, I feel like a terrible person. Spoiler: he was in my 2007 deadpool. I am ashamed. __________________ twisted no more

11-30-2007, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	I had one of those too! Man I loved making it jump. Evel was a massive star when I was kid. I don't think any of us thought he'd survive this long. RIP __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-30-2007, 08:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	That's the one I remember. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

11-30-2007, 09:33 PM	#9 (permalink)
Craven Morehead Custom User Title	I saw him in the early 70s. Maybe 1974. It was at Greatlakes Dragaway in Union Grove WI. He did a quarter mile wheelie, jumped a bunch of cars and rode around on a jet powered cycle. He was very, very cool at the time. RIP Evel

12-01-2007, 06:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
squeeeb part of the problem Location: hic et ubique	evel knievel is dead he made his final jump all the way to heaven. he was 69. not even his son will be as important and such a part of american culture. __________________ onward to mayhem!

12-01-2007, 06:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
bobby Super Moderator Location: 18,000+ posts on TFP #1,2,3,4 and 5,but I'm not counting!	What a great icon of the 60/70's..............to bad the Grand Canyon jump failed.....It would have been his masterpiece...........xoxoxoo http://youtube.com/watch?v=fxgm5uM64hc __________________ "Life goes on,within you,and...with out you !" xoxoxoo

12-01-2007, 06:54 AM	#12 (permalink)
Push-Pull I'll ask when I'm ready.... Location: Firmly in the middle....	And let's hope that his rocket motor didn't fail him this time.... God Speed Evil. __________________ "No laws, no matter how rigidly enforced, can protect a person from their own stupidity." -Me- "Some people are like Slinkies..... They are not really good for anything, but they still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs." -Unknown- DAMMIT! -Jack Bauer-

12-03-2007, 07:24 AM	#13 (permalink)
Bill O'Rights will always be an Alyson Hanniganite Location: In the dust of the archives	Diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis? That's not the way that Evel Knievel was supposed to go out. Something about that just isn't right. Now...about that toy. I had the same thing. In fact, I recently unearthed the "launcher" in my garage. But, unfortunately, the motorcycle, and the "action figure" have been lost to the ages. So, if anyone has the motorcycle and the figure, without a launcher, maybe we can get together and relive our childhoods. __________________ "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." - Susan B. Anthony "Hedonism with rules isn't hedonism at all, it's the Republican party." - JumpinJesus It is indisputable that true beauty lies within...but a nice rack sure doesn't hurt.

12-05-2007, 12:29 PM	#14 (permalink)
thadon Cruisin thru life Location: Alpharetta, GA	wow, that sucks .. now he is jumping the clouds above