Jailhouse rock

The Enterprise of Brockton
www.enterprisenews.com
By Maureen Boyle, ENTERPRISE STAFF WRITER
PLYMOUTH — Elvis died 30 years ago today but he still rocks at the jailhouse.
If you need proof, just visit Plymouth County Sheriff Joseph D. McDonald Jr.'s office.
McDonald, a lifelong Elvis Presley fan, may not wear his Elvis-mania on his sleeve, but it can be seen nearly everywhere else in his office.
There's the "Jailhouse Rock" sign leaning against the window. The framed gold record of Heartbreak Hotel on the wall. The boxed Elvis impersonator kit on the bookshelf, complete with imitation sideburns. The two, unopened bottles of Elvis Presley Merlot vintage 2002 and 2003 atop a bookcase. The stuffed hound dog singing "Suspicious Minds."
And that's not all.
There's the Elvis lunchbox, the Elvis concert poster, the Elvis DVDs, the Elvis snow globe and the unopened "1968 comeback Elvis" figurine.
At home, he has an Elvis telephone. "When the phone rings, Elvis dances and sings," McDonald said.
McDonald said he's been an Elvis fan since he was a youngster — and his enthusiasm for the King's music continues to grow as he ages.
"His music speaks to generations. Not just his, not just mine, but to those that follow," he said.
McDonald even tried once to get a judge to say just that — "at least as far as Plymouth County was concerned."
Years back, on a slow day in Plymouth District Court, McDonald filed a motion — complete with supporting arguments — with a judge asking that Elvis Presley be declared "artist of the century."
"He listened to my arguments, took the motion under advisement for a short period of time, then came back," McDonald recalled.
The motion was denied.
"He said he was more inclined to listen to Frank Sinatra."
McDonald isn't alone in his enthusiasm for The King.
Around 50,000 Elvis Presley fans were to gather at the Graceland mansion in Memphis, where the King died, to mark the anniversary of his death.
"He really was the king of rock and roll. He was larger than life," he said.

Maureen Boyle can be reached at mboyle@enterprisenews.com.

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