Come downstairs dad and I want you to see something on television.
This had never happened before, so I was excited, but confused. What could it be? Who, in their right mind would wake up a sleeping (feisty) 6 year old.
I went down, sat in front of the TV, it was the Ed Sullivan show. The special guest was Elvis Presley. I was too young to understand who he was, but soon I was mesmerized. Songs like – “Love me tender,” “Don’t be cruel,” we’re being sung in a way I had never seen or heard before.
The next day I realized that Elvis had spoken to me in a way I had never experienced. I began trying to imitate him, the curled lip, the shoulder shrug and the voice. I bought every 45 record he released, and sat in my room imitating him (as best as I could).
Soon I was entertaining my folks, my friends with my imitations. Mostly in the schoolyard, and on the school bus. My
dad told me what a good job I was doing.
Later on I bought a guitar and went full Elvis. He spoke to me. I got involved in singing, joined the school chorus and really enjoyed it. No Elvis songs in choir.
But one day, in 7th grade, the director was late. I decided to get up in front of everyone and sing an Elvis tune, “Hard Headed Woman.”
Everyone was smiling, giggling, having a great time. All of a sudden, they stopped smiling. They looked scared. I turned around and the choir director (Mr Yalanis) was standing behind me. I stopped singing, face flushed and profusely apologized.
He said he wanted to speak with me, I knew I was in big trouble. Mr Yalanis started to speak. He told me I was very talented and he would like to get some professional musicians to back me up and have me perform.
I thought about it for a few moments. I thanked him, but declined the offer. It was too serious, I was too young.
I developed an interest in singing in musical comedies and in a few years I was playing Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie (a takeoff on Elvis).
Several years later I was a professional playing guitar and singing in a band.
I met Mr Yalanis in a barber shop and thanked him for his confidence in me.
During the pandemic, after our medical office reopened, I stationed one of my team members in the lobby to do the things that were being done everywhere: Take temperatures, ask about exposure, health issues etc. She would ask them to put on a mask, and give them one if needed.
I was in the waiting area and the team member approached me and told me that a patient had refused a mask, and started hurling obscenities at her.
She said “Dr Fichman, I’m all shook up, I’m just all shook up.”
I had her stand where she could hear me, but not be seen. I went over and knelt next to the man, I asked him if he had used foul and angry language with my team member.
He said he did.
I told him that when someone joined our practice the first thing I tell them is that they will be treated with dignity and respect. “She was just doing what she was asked to do. She doesn’t deserve to be treated that way.”
I told him I couldn’t take care of him, but would help him find another doctor.
After he left, I told her I had never done that in my career, but I wasn’t going to let her be spoken to in that manner.
I then curled my upper lip, swiveled my hip and started singing “All shook up” by Elvis.
She started laughing, so did I.
Throughout the day we would pass by each other in hallways and stairwell, and each time I’d sing “All Shook up.”
I was able to help a woman who was demeaned and upset, and get her laughing.
Thanks Mom.
Dr. Richard Fichman lives in Hartford County. In his work, he has eliminated needles from cataract surgery worldwide.
https://www.courant.com/2025/10/03/opinion-what-to-do-when-youre-all-shook-up-thanks-elvis/
