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Heralded
for years as the “American Daredevil” motorcyclists Evil Knievel
passed away in Clearwater Florida on Friday. Knievel was the first
to jump over everything from school buses, semi trucks, to the
fountain at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas on a motorcycle. Knievel
was an true original. Knievel made millions during the 70’s with his wild death defying motorcycle stunts that were routinely telecast around the world as viewers seemed mesmerized with his outrageous acts of courage or insanity depending on your point of view. . His boisterous banter helped make made him a great “pitch man” for everything from the Harley Davidson bikes he rode to the American flag draped action figures sold to children. As the stunts got more amazing so did the number of bones broken in his body. Knievel himself told the Monster in a 1998 his broken bones totaled over 100, as the number seemed to grow as he got older. Probably the most famous of his stunts was the failed jump over the fountain at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in the early 70’s. In 1974 Knievel’s popularity waned in the wake of his failed jump of the Snake River Canyon, as many felt it was more of a publicity stunt than an actual motorcycle jump. In 1999 Knievel had a liver transplant as a result of the hard driving lifestyle of heavy boozing and fast living. Since then Knievel’s health has been frail, but he continued to be a regular on the motorcycle event circuit. For old time Harley riders Knievel was an old school hero, and always drew a huge crowd at motorcycle venues. Recently, as he aged, bikers came to appreciated him and his act more. Just days ago Knievel settled a lawsuit with rapper Kanye West from the use of Knievel’s image in a West music video. Knievel always prided himself as being a winner and continued that philosophy until his death. Knievel, the undisputed motorcycle daredevil of all time was 69.
The Motorcycle
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Legendary
Motorcycle Daredevil