Memphis State University - DeSoto Yearbook (Memphis, TN)

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Tennessee had its share of bad publicity. Governor Ray Blanton fulfilled campaign promises as he pardoned 52 convicted felons at the end of his term. The new governor, Lamar Alexander, won the office in one of the closest races in Ten- nessee history. Work on the Tellico dam was halted as environmen- talists won their case for the snail darter. It was a troublesome year for Memphis as well. Strike was the word as firemen, teachers and policemen took to the picket lines. The curfew imposed by the mayor forced Memphians to stay home af- ter sundown. A freak tornado struck Elvis Presley Boulevard ' s fast-food chains. The Concorde landed at the International Airport and a vicious ice storm in- capacitated the city, giving everyone cabin fever. Utility bills continued to rise and the Orpheum Theatre was revived. Blues Alley was the new spot on the Mississippi and ice skating the craze at Libertyland and Overton Square. Animal House, Grease, Superman and Lord of the Rings were the top attractions in cinema. Mork and Mindy took control of television and the Blues Brothers stole Saturday Night ••• Owibe 7£ e a a f O site, tmca am igsrmmts Live. DEVO was the new sensation in de-evolutionized rock and the Rolling Stones remained number one with their Some Girls album. Concerts were rampant at the Mid-South Coliseum with Bob Dylan, Heart, the Doobie Brothers, Billy Joel and Electric Light Orchestra. In sports, the New York Yankees won the World Series and the Pittsburgh Steelers took the Super Bowl. Bobby Orr retired from hockey and Ohio State Coach Woody Hayes took out his frustra- tions on a player in the Gator Bowl. Above: Music lovers swarm to the edges of the Mississippi to hear the Sunset Symphony perform as the Memphis in May Festival comes to a close. Features 21

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Death claimed Margaret Mead, Norman Rockwell, Golda Meir, Edgar Bergen and former vice president Nelson Rockefeller. Ex-Attorney General John Mitchell served the end of his Watergate sentence and heiress Patty Hearst was released from prison on a presidential pardon. The House Assassinations Commit- tee concluded four shots were fired in Dallas instead of three as previously believed. Three Americans were the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon, the Double Eagle II. Billy Carter continued to embarrass his brother while the state of the union was declared sound. Proposition 13 was a hit in Califor- nia and spread across the country while Cleveland Mayor Dennis Kucinich barely survived a recall vote. Above: A prophet from the 60 ' s, Bob Dylan returns to the concert circuit by making his first Memphis appearance. Above right: Kenny Jones and Mary Forrester cut the ice at Libertyland as ice-skating becomes the new fad in town. Right: Addressing the issue of inflation. President Carter responds to questions on the economy at the Mid-Term Democratic Conference held in Memphis. 20 Features

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Below: The Wizard Gandalf is the leader of the Nine Companions of the Fellowship in The Lord of the Rings, a fantasy film based on ].R.R. Tolkien ' s books. Right: Flowers from loyal fans across the country and world arrive at Graceland in memory of the late Elvis Presley ' s 44th birthday. Bottom: Striking teachers find cards a good way to pass the time as picket lines are set up at Memphis City Schools. 22 Features