Iconic Daredevil Evel Knievel Dies
Iconic motorcycling legend Evel Knievel is dead of natural causes at age 69.
Evel was the original daredevil, a larger than life character whose fearless stunts gained him worldwide recognition. From his career launching leap at Caesar's Palace to historic jumps at Snake River Canyon, the Cow Palace, and Wembley Stadium, Evel Knievel lived by his own rules boldly, unapologetically, and without regrets. Though he rode Triumphs in the early days, Harley-Davidsons later became his signature bike, and his showbiz theatrics became as memorable as his reckless personal life.
Like the late Bud Ekins, I had the opportunity to meet Evel while working on my book, Legendary Motorcycles. I met him during last year's Days of Evel Festival, a yearly event held in his honor in Butte, Montana. It was a touching opportunity to witness the scale and reach of his accomplishments, and though he appeared troubled by his failing health, Evel Knievel was perhaps best summed up by the words of Theodore Roosevelt, which he often cited:
"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."
Bottom Photo © Basem Wasef
Comments
He will be greatly missed and very much remembered. Check out the tribute “Evel Knievel: Daredevil for Christ” at my site – “Necessary Therapy”.
Hmmmm? Comparing a guy who jumped mountains with a guy who jumped an 18 inch bobwire fence? May they both rest in peace…
God Speed. I saw him many years in Vancouver when he was riding an American Eagle 750 twin…
billybob,
I wouldn’t compare the two; in my opinion they were both legendary for different reasons, regardless of the height of their jumps.
Incidentally, I attended the memorial for Bud Ekins today, and was reminded how sad it is to lose two icons in the same year.
Basem
Sad day, there isn’t very many ledgens left.
I’m 47, so Evel was omnipresent (along with the guy that caught the bullets with his teeth) in my youth. Sorry that snake river jump didn’t work out better for him.
May he rest in peace..
Now… “Daredevil for Christ”?
Give me a break pleeeeeeease…
Leave Christ out of this just for once.
LEAVE CHRIST OUT? HOW CAN YOU HE WAS WITH HIM ON EVERY JUMP
OMG…
Frank…I’m with you! OMG is right. Christ was probably watching thinking to himself…”OMG – what an idiot!!”