Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies at 69

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CLEARWATER — Evel Knievel's hard life killed him — it just took longer than he or anyone else might have expected. The hard-living motorcycle daredevil, whose bone-breaking, rocket-powered jumps and stunts made him an international icon in the 1970s, died Friday. He was 69.

He had been in failing health for years, suffering from diabetes and pulmonary fibrosis, an incurable condition that scarred his lungs. He had undergone a liver transplant in 1999 after nearly dying of hepatitis C, likely contracted through a blood transfusion after one of his many spills. He also suffered two strokes in recent years.

Longtime friend and promoter Billy Rundle said Knievel had trouble breathing at his Clearwater condominium and died before an ambulance could get him to a hospital.

"It's been coming for years, but you just don't expect it. Superman just doesn't die, right?" said Rundle, organizer of the annual "Evel Knievel Days" festival in the daredevil's Butte, Mont., hometown.

Knievel's son Kelly, 47, said he had visited his father in Clearwater for Thanksgiving.

"I think he lived 20 years longer than most people would have" after so many injuries, Kelly Knievel said. "I think he willed himself into an extra five or six years."

Immortalized in the Washington's Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," Knievel was best known for a failed attempt to jump an Idaho 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.

For the tall, thin daredevil, the limelight was always comfortable, the gab glib. There always were mountains to climb, feats to conquer.

"No king or prince has lived a better life," he told The Associated Presss in May 2006. "You're looking at a guy who's really done it all. And there are things I wish I had done better, not only for me but for the ones I loved."

He garbed himself in red, white and blue and had a knack for outrageous yarns: "Made $60 million, spent 61. ...Lost $250,000 at blackjack once. ... Had $3 million in the bank, though."

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.

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

"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."

He began his daredevil career in 1965 when he formed a troupe called Evel Knievel's Motorcycle Daredevils, a touring show in which he performed stunts such as riding through fire walls, jumping over live rattlesnakes and mountain lions and being towed at 200 mph behind dragster race cars.

In 1966 he began touring alone, barnstorming the West and doing everything from driving the trucks, erecting the ramps and promoting the shows. In the beginning he charged $500 for a jump over two cars parked between ramps.

He steadily increased the length of the jumps until, on New Year's Day 1968, he was nearly killed when he jumped 151 feet across the fountains in front of Caesar's Palace. He cleared the fountains but the crash landing put him in a coma for a month.

His son Robbie Knievel followed in his father's daredevil footsteps and successfully completed the same jump in April 1989.

In the years after the crash, the fee for the elder Knievel's performances increased to $1 million for his jump over 13 buses at Wembley Stadium in London — the crash landing broke his pelvis — to more than $6 million for the Sept. 8, 1974, attempt to clear the Snake River Canyon in Idaho in a rocket-powered "Skycycle." The money came from ticket sales, paid sponsors and ABC's "Wide World of Sports."

The parachute malfunctioned and deployed after takeoff. Strong winds blew the cycle into the canyon, landing him close to the swirling river below.

On Oct. 25, 1975, he jumped 14 Greyhound buses at Kings Island in Ohio.

Knievel decided to retire after a jump in the winter of 1976 in which he was again seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and broke both arms in an attempt to jump a tank full of live sharks in the Chicago Amphitheater. He continued to do smaller exhibitions around the country with his son, Robbie.

Many of his records have been broken by daredevil motorcyclist Bubba Blackwell.

Knievel also dabbled in movies and TV, starring as himself in "Viva Knievel" and with Lindsey Wagner in an episode of the 1980s TV series "Bionic Woman." George Hamilton and Sam Elliott each played Knievel in movies about his life.

Evel Knievel toys accounted for more than $300 million in sales for Ideal and other companies in the 1970s and '80s.

Born Robert Craig Knievel in the copper mining town of Butte on Oct. 17, 1938, Knievel was raised by his grandparents. He traced his career choice back to the time he saw Joey Chitwood's Auto Daredevil Show at age 8.

Outstanding in track and field, ski jumping and ice hockey at Butte High School, he went on to win the Northern Rocky Mountain Ski Association Class A Men's ski jumping championship in 1957 and played with the Charlotte Clippers of the Eastern Hockey League in 1959.

He also formed the Butte Bombers semiprofessional hockey team, acting as owner, manager, coach and player.

Knievel also worked in the Montana copper mines, served in the Army, ran his own hunting guide service, sold insurance and ran Honda motorcycle dealerships. At various times and in different interviews, Knievel claimed to have been a swindler, a card thief, a safe cracker, a holdup man.

Evel Knievel married his hometown girlfriend, Linda Joan Bork, in 1959. They separated in the early 1990s. They had four children, Kelly, Robbie, Tracey and Alicia.

Robbie Knievel followed in his father's footsteps as a daredevil, jumping a moving locomotive in a 200-foot, ramp-to-ramp motorcycle stunt on live television in 2000. He also jumped a 200-foot-wide chasm of the Grand Canyon.

Knievel lived with his longtime partner, Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, splitting his time between their Clearwater condo and Butte. They married in 1999 and divorced a few years later but remained together. Knievel had 10 grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

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3.3
{"commentId":1230905,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

RIP Evel Knievel!

{"commentId":1230905,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 8 votes
Reply#1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:00 PM EST
{"commentId":1230925,"authorDomain":"scientificblog"}

Man, I grew up wanting to be that guy. Minus all those broken bones.

{"commentId":1230925,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"scientificblog"}
  • 11 votes
Reply#2 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:10 PM EST
{"commentId":1231454,"authorDomain":"PurelyPolitical"}

Me too. And I have the scars to prove it.

{"commentId":1231454,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"PurelyPolitical"}
  • 4 votes
#2.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:49 PM EST
{"commentId":1231836,"authorDomain":"sbutki"}

I heard a great quote from him during NPR's obituary for him. He told Esquire - "anyone can ride their motorcycle off a ramp but not everyone knows how to land." I'm not sure he knew how to land given that he broke his back like six times.

He was something else.

{"commentId":1231836,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"sbutki"}
  • 5 votes
#2.2 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 12:18 AM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1230936,"authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

Irony: man makes carreer doing death-defying leaps from a motocycle, dies an old man in bed.

Still, sad to hear he's gone, my condolences to his family.

{"commentId":1230936,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#3 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:14 PM EST
{"commentId":1231081,"authorDomain":"bluemutiny"}

Just like Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter.

Killed by a stingray barb.

{"commentId":1231081,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"bluemutiny"}
  • 2 votes
#3.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:07 PM EST
{"commentId":1231255,"authorDomain":"SuperUnspecial"}

No, that's different

{"commentId":1231255,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"SuperUnspecial"}
  • 3 votes
#3.2 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:07 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1230944,"authorDomain":"Arcturas"}

It has been a hard week for 70's and 80's icons
/salute

{"commentId":1230944,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"Arcturas"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#4 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:18 PM EST
{"commentId":1230981,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sorry to read this, he was quite a Character! R.I.P. Evel.

{"commentId":1230981,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"seward"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#5 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:37 PM EST
{"commentId":1230988,"authorDomain":"caroleroach"}

He surely made a name for himself.

{"commentId":1230988,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"caroleroach"}
  • 3 votes
Reply#6 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:40 PM EST
{"commentId":1231007,"authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}
Knievel decided to retire after a jump in the winter of 1976 in which he was again seriously injured. He suffered a concussion and broke both arms in an attempt to jump a tank full of live sharks

I'm glad to see that he was wise enough to quit after he jumped the shark.

{"commentId":1231007,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"stevetherobot"}
  • 8 votes
Reply#7 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:46 PM EST
{"commentId":1231009,"authorDomain":"damiankd"}

For a fitting send-off, they should launch his ashes out over the Grand Canyon.

{"commentId":1231009,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"damiankd"}
  • 11 votes
Reply#8 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:46 PM EST
{"commentId":1231038,"authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

What a great idea Damian!

{"commentId":1231038,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"vicaxp"}
  • 4 votes
#8.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:55 PM EST
{"commentId":1231107,"authorDomain":"dwight"}

That would be a fitting send-off for the man that pushed so many boundaries and entertained so many of us. Great suggestion, Damian!

{"commentId":1231107,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"dwight"}
  • 3 votes
#8.2 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:14 PM EST
{"commentId":1231265,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

I agree Damian, awesome idea for one heck of a performer !

{"commentId":1231265,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 2 votes
#8.3 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:09 PM EST
{"commentId":1232006,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}

Damian's idea is a good one. But how about this:

They should launch his ashes into Earth orbit, and here's why:

It's kind of like going on ONE LONG JUMP that never really ends ...

{"commentId":1232006,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
  • 4 votes
#8.4 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 2:20 AM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1231029,"authorDomain":"lisaed"}

Gosh - the memories that just came flooding back - when I was a wee one back in the 70s I thought he was the absolute COOLEST....me, my sister & cousins would all gather round the TV set to watch his various thrill seeking jumps....RIP, Mr. Knievel

{"commentId":1231029,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"lisaed"}
  • 8 votes
Reply#9 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 5:53 PM EST
{"commentId":1231054,"authorDomain":"Boothby"}

Evel had to be real, who could think up a life like his?

{"commentId":1231054,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"Boothby"}
  • 5 votes
Reply#10 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:00 PM EST
{"commentId":1231375,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

How many times did I almost kill myself first on my bicycle and later on my motorcycle trying to be like Evel K. ? What a life is right !

{"commentId":1231375,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 5 votes
#10.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 8:09 PM EST
{"commentId":1232008,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}

Tedd Riggs says:

'How many times did I almost kill myself first on my bicycle and later on my motorcycle trying to be like Evel K. ?'

Oh, yeah. I only tried it once, up by the Green River Community College in 1970-something. All I got for my amateur jump was a scab on my right arm from elbow to wrist that lasted for weeks.

{"commentId":1232008,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
  • 3 votes
#10.2 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 2:23 AM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1231229,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

I tried to jump a lot of stuff on my bicycle as a child. Most of it was inspired by Evel.

He made being a daredevil much more than it had been. He was a great showman. He did everything on a grander scale than it ever had been done.

RIP.

{"commentId":1231229,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
  • 7 votes
Reply#11 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:57 PM EST
{"commentId":1233076,"authorDomain":"lisaed"}

Jay -that's right - being a daredevil back in the day was WAY COOL thanks to Evel.....to join our neighborhood daredevil's club you had to lay down out in the middle of the road and hope you didn't get run over by a car - fortunately none of us ever were.....I did it countless times.

{"commentId":1233076,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"lisaed"}
  • 1 vote
#11.1 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 2:30 PM EST
{"commentId":1233499,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

Before Evel, daredevils were guys who appears at the county fair or some shopping center. Evel was on Wide World of Sports nationally a number of times. No daredevil got that sort of attention before or after him.

{"commentId":1233499,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
  • 4 votes
#11.2 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 5:52 PM EST
Reply
{"commentId":1231234,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

I'm sad.

Definitely an intriguing character.

RIP.

{"commentId":1231234,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
  • 5 votes
Reply#12 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:58 PM EST
{"commentId":1231237,"authorDomain":"SVForbes"}

This makes me feel sad.

He was definitely an intriguing character.

RIP.

{"commentId":1231237,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"SVForbes"}
  • 4 votes
Reply#13 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 6:59 PM EST
{"commentId":1231358,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

Two of my favorite toys growing up were the Evil Knievel Stunt Cycle and Evil Knievel rocket (don't remember the exact name, but it was supposed to be the rocket he tried to jump the Snake River Canyon in...)

{"commentId":1231358,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 5 votes
Reply#14 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 7:57 PM EST
{"commentId":1231592,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

Estes Model Rockets made a Evel K. Model Rocket Kit that you could launch also with a parachute coming out the back and everything, I have about 4 good launches and one went thru the neighbors attic window when I was trying to go over it and impress the cute cheerleader next door.. Did not work so great...but was fun...

Your not talking about this thing are you ?
http://www.geocities.com/Pipeline/Ramp/2716/ekrocket.jpg

{"commentId":1231592,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 2 votes
#14.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:44 PM EST
{"commentId":1231620,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

No, that's not the one. It was just like the Stunt Cycle...You cranked the handle then it took off...(It actually had small wheels underneath.) The same Evel Knievel figure that sat on the Stunt Cycle would sit in the cockpit. We used to catch small crawfish and put them in, then make them jump over things. I'll see if I can find a pic.

{"commentId":1231620,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 3 votes
#14.2 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:56 PM EST
{"commentId":1231626,"authorDomain":"vicaxp"}

Holy @!$%#, gecko! I had almost forgotten about that toy! I used to play with it all the time!

Thanks for the remidner!

{"commentId":1231626,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"vicaxp"}
  • 3 votes
#14.3 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:59 PM EST
{"commentId":1231631,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

OK I know that one. I used to attack my sister with one. Now I had almost forgotten about that one !

{"commentId":1231631,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 1 vote
#14.4 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:01 PM EST
{"commentId":1231656,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

After a bit of digging, I found this bit of info about the Ideal company's Evel Knievel stunt cycles:

The Stunt Cycle quickly became a required part of any all-American kid's toy repertoire. Its massive success inspired Ideal to create a veritable fleet of Evel Knievel vehicles. There were Super Jet and Canyon Sky Cycles that were designed for stunt use, as well as a Crash and Stunt Car that would break into pieces upon impact with an obstacle (perhaps as a warning to any impressionable youngsters actually thinking about a career as a daredevil). Other stunt cycles included the Silver High Jumper Stuntcycle and the Strato Cycle, a toy inspired by Knievel's motion picture debut, Viva Knievel. Another cool Knievel-inspired vehicle was a dragster that came complete with a working parachute to bring it to a halt. Non-stunt Knievel vehicles included the Scramble Van and the Road and Trail Adventure Set.

So, it seems the toy I had (in addition to the original Stunt Cycle) was the Canyon Sky Cycle. I can't find pics of it anywhere, though. I can find die cast versions, models, etc...but not the one you crank up just like the Stunt Cycle. Evidently it's pretty rare. I guess it didn't sell as well as the Stunt Cycle. Damn, I wish I still had that thing!

{"commentId":1231656,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 3 votes
#14.5 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:11 PM EST
{"commentId":1231662,"authorDomain":"Boothby"}

My stepsister always found the Evel action figure in compromising positions with her Barbies.

{"commentId":1231662,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"Boothby"}
  • 4 votes
#14.6 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:15 PM EST
{"commentId":1231663,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

My guess it is worth some bucks. Those old toys can bring in alot of money.

{"commentId":1231663,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 2 votes
#14.7 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:15 PM EST
{"commentId":1231672,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
Barbies.

My sister was rather upset to see her Barbie lashed to the deck of my of my model aircraft carriers that did not come out so well as it was burning badly in our pond (I was about 8 at the time) and for some reason, she got even more upset when that M-80 I had placed under Barbie decided to go off.

Me and my little buddies thought it was pretty cool, my sister did not fully appreciate the humor..

{"commentId":1231672,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
  • 3 votes
#14.8 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:20 PM EST
{"commentId":1231675,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

Yeah. I *do* still have my original Evel Knievel lunch box (with thermos!) They're currently going for $100-$150+ on eBay (but I'm not selling!)

The original Stunt Cycle is also going for around $100 (don't be fooled by the re-issue...not the same thing, not the same box.) I bet the Canyon Sky Cycle would get a small fortune.

{"commentId":1231675,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 3 votes
#14.9 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:21 PM EST
{"commentId":1231686,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

Evel and Big Jim used to beat the everlivinghell out of Ken, steal his sports car, and go hang out at Barbie's penthouse/playhouse/whatever it was. For some reason GI Joe never joined in the fun. I guess he was too busy hiding in the bushes or blowing something up in the back yard...Sometimes, they'd take Barbie out in the Big Jim camper, which totally rocked.

{"commentId":1231686,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 4 votes
#14.10 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:29 PM EST
{"commentId":1231688,"authorDomain":"Boothby"}
Evel and Big Jim used to beat the everlivinghell out of Ken,

Fill Ken up with ketchup and then set off the M80, its epic!

{"commentId":1231688,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"Boothby"}
  • 3 votes
#14.11 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:30 PM EST
{"commentId":1231713,"authorDomain":"Arcturas"}
Evel and Big Jim used to beat the everlivinghell out of Ken, steal his sports car, and go hang out at Barbie's penthouse/playhouse/whatever it was. For some reason GI Joe never joined in the fun. I guess he was too busy hiding in the bushes or blowing something up in the back yard...Sometimes, they'd take Barbie out in the Big Jim camper, which totally rocked.

Dude, your freaking me out o_O

{"commentId":1231713,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"Arcturas"}
  • 2 votes
#14.12 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:48 PM EST
{"commentId":1269934,"authorDomain":"tcervo"}

SWEEET! I found the Stunt Sky Cycle on eBay. That's exactly the toy I had, and fondly remember putting Evel's helmet on crawdads and making them jump the "canyon" near our house. Good times, good times...

{"commentId":1269934,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"tcervo"}
  • 1 vote
#14.13 - Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:43 AM EST
{"commentId":1271909,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

I remember that one, I had one. Should have kept it, but traded it for a Marklin Train Engine many many years ago !

{"commentId":1271909,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
    #14.14 - Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:32 PM EST
    Reply
    {"commentId":1231579,"authorDomain":"fahrenheit"}

    Darn.

    {"commentId":1231579,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"fahrenheit"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#15 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 9:36 PM EST
    {"commentId":1231802,"authorDomain":"PurelyPolitical"}

    Guy,

    GET A GRIP ON YOURSELF MAN!!!!

    {"commentId":1231802,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"PurelyPolitical"}
    • 4 votes
    #15.1 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 11:57 PM EST
    {"commentId":1232663,"authorDomain":"fahrenheit"}

    Get a grip on Myself?

    NEVER!!!

    {"commentId":1232663,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"fahrenheit"}
    • 1 vote
    #15.2 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 11:51 AM EST
    Reply
    {"commentId":1231638,"authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}

    he's jumping clouds and almost making it in heaven now.

    {"commentId":1231638,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"JoulesBeef"}
    • 1 vote
    Reply#16 - Fri Nov 30, 2007 10:05 PM EST
    {"commentId":1232004,"authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}

    Actually...

    I think they should put his ashes INTO ORBIT.

    Reason: When you are in Earth orbit, it's kind of like one long jump that never ends...

    {"commentId":1232004,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"adventurebooks"}
    • 5 votes
    Reply#17 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 2:18 AM EST
    {"commentId":1232375,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

    My guess is that he will do something like that or get buried with one of his motorcycles that he designed. (well I mean, his will has it stated....)

    {"commentId":1232375,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
    • 1 vote
    #17.1 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 9:19 AM EST
    Reply
    {"commentId":1232365,"authorDomain":"bluecollarbytes"}

    article excerpt: "Knievel was best known for a failed attempt to jump an Idaho canyon on a rocket-powered cycle and a spectacular crash at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas"

    Wrong. Knievel was best known as a daredevil bike rider, period. Perhaps the media thinks of his failures the most. They're like that.

    {"commentId":1232365,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"bluecollarbytes"}
    • 2 votes
    Reply#18 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 9:14 AM EST
    {"commentId":1233700,"authorDomain":"jaybutler"}

    That Snake River Canyon jump got a huge amount of attention back inthe day.

    The jumps I remember best were the Mack truck jumps.

    I found a list of his appearances on Wide World of Sports:

    Date Place Jumped Result
    11/10/1973 L.A. Coliseum 50 stacked cars Successful
    02/17/1974 North Richmond Hill, Texas 11 Mack trucks Successful
    08/31/1974 Canadian National Exposition 13 Mack trucks Successful
    09/8/1974 Snake River Canyon, Idaho Canyon Crashed
    05/31/1975 Wembley Stadium, London, England 13 Double-tiered buses Crashed
    10/25/1975 King's Island, Ohio 14 Greyhound buses Successful
    10/30/1976 The Kingdome, Seattle, Wash. 7 Greyhound buses Successful
    {"commentId":1233700,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"jaybutler"}
    • 3 votes
    #18.1 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 7:28 PM EST
    Reply
    {"commentId":1233551,"authorDomain":"wharrison55"}

    He was quite a guy. A vehicular Houdini. From his obituary in today's WaPo:

    In another of his pickup jobs, he set a record while selling insurance for the Combined Insurance Co. of America, peddling 271 policies in a week. But he said 120 were sold to inmates of a nearby insane asylum.
    {"commentId":1233551,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"wharrison55"}
    • 2 votes
    Reply#19 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 6:16 PM EST
    {"commentId":1234126,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}

    Also in Seattle

    Jan. 8, 1971: More than 41,000 watched Evel Knievel set a world indoor motorcycle record by jumping 13 cars. Less than four months earlier, he had cleared 13 cars outside in Seattle.

    From "Eight moments in the Astrodome" by Bill Reader of the Seattle Times.

    {"commentId":1234126,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
    • 2 votes
    Reply#20 - Sat Dec 1, 2007 10:48 PM EST
    {"commentId":1235838,"authorDomain":"mc-bonar"}

    We Americans seem to have a little difficulty in designating our "heros" as icons. For example, my first recollection is one of a man almost beating a person to death with a baseball bat. And that he did "time" for this. Is my recollection accurate? If it is, why hasn't it been mentioned by the media?

    Mark Arnold, CA

    {"commentId":1235838,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"mc-bonar"}
      Reply#21 - Sun Dec 2, 2007 8:10 PM EST
      {"commentId":1271915,"authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
      Mark Arnold, CA

      a.k.a. Grinch

      {"commentId":1271915,"threadId":"183430","contentId":"1133135","authorDomain":"TeddRi"}
        Reply#22 - Fri Dec 14, 2007 11:33 PM EST
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