Famous for his crowd pleasing and record breaking jumps over cars, Greyhound buses, live animals and Snake River Canyon in Idaho, Evel Knievel died Friday at the age of 69.
Although the death may come as a surprise to fans, Knievel’s heath had been deteriorating the last few years from complications due to Hepatitis C, possibly contracted through a blood transfusion after his many operations, diabetes and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a stiffening of the lungs that requires constant supplemental oxygen.
Knievel’s career began in local motor events, attracting attention for his death-defying leaps over cars and buses. At his fans urging, Knievel began adding more cars and more stunts to his leaps. This led to many failed attempts and life threatening injuries.
Bedecked in his trademark patriotic jumpsuit, Knievel became an icon in the 70’s. Famous for his showman persona and tireless self-promotions, he became all the more successful through his failures. His daredevil stunts were launched into the public’s eye when “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” began airing his jumps regularly. Knievel holds four of the top twenty most-watched events. Retiring twice in his career, he was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 1999.
His two most famous jumps were at Caesar’s Palace and Snake River Canyon, originally planned to be over the Grand Canyon. Both were unsuccessful, but they sealed Knievel’s international fame and image as America’s Daredevil.
The crash after his leap over the Caesar Palace fountains in Las Vegas kept him in a coma for almost a month. He suffered a crushed pelvis, femur, hip fractures and broken wrist and ankles. Although he wanted the jump to be aired live, “ABC’s Wide World of Sports” declined. But after the public sensation of his attempt, the event was later broadcasted.
After a hotly contested debate to receive permission from the Federal Government to jump over the Grand Canyon, Knievel settled on Snake River Canyon, outside of Twin Falls, ID. Riding a motorcycle designed by two NASA aeronautical engineers with twin rockets bolted to either side, the parachute accidentally deployed. The wind sent his “Skycycle” into the canyon, barely missing the roaring rapids. He suffered only minimal injuries.
In his later years, Knievel attempted to revive his image, but popularity for the aging stuntman had waned. After brief skirmishes with the law, and tax evasion settlements, he was forced into bankruptcy.
His death comes days after an unclosed settlement with rapper Kanye West for trademark infringement in the music video “Touch the Sky.”
