Digest

This podcast delves into the life of Evil Knievel, a famous daredevil, exploring his rise to fame, his encounters with celebrities, and the development of his rocket bike. It also examines the "Evil Knievel Syndrome," a phenomenon where children imitate his stunts, often resulting in serious injuries. The podcast then shifts to Can Evil, a character with a wild lifestyle, discussing his bragging about sexual conquests, his obsession with golf, and his alleged criminal activities. The podcast also explores Can Evil's relationship with the Viper Room, a famous bar in Los Angeles, and his encounter with Elvis Presley. The podcast concludes with a discussion of Evil Knievel's legacy, including his impact on motorcycle culture, his popular toy line, and his ambitious Snake River Canyon jump.

Outlines

00:00:30

The Rise of Evil Knievel and the Evil Knievel Syndrome

This chapter explores the life of Evil Knievel, a famous daredevil, focusing on his rise to fame, his encounters with celebrities, and the development of his rocket bike. It also examines the "Evil Knievel Syndrome," a phenomenon where children imitate his stunts, often resulting in serious injuries.

00:02:54

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00:29:54

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00:30:53

The Legacy of Evil Knievel Syndrome

This chapter continues the discussion of the "Evil Knievel Syndrome," highlighting the numerous injuries sustained by children attempting to imitate his stunts. It includes examples of these injuries and the medical journal article that documented the phenomenon.

00:39:03

Evil Knievel's Philosophy on Faith and Success

This chapter presents Evil Knievel's own words, revealing his unconventional views on faith, success, and his daredevil lifestyle. He discusses his relationship with God, his financial success, and his plans for the future.

00:41:53

The Rise of Copycat Jumpers

This chapter focuses on the copycat jumpers who emerged after Evil Knievel's success. It describes their motivations, their stunts, and their attempts to differentiate themselves from the original daredevil.

00:47:59

Super Joe Einhorn's Challenge to Evil Knievel

This chapter introduces Super Joe Einhorn, a rival daredevil who challenges Evil Knievel's claims and attempts to surpass his achievements. He criticizes Knievel's lack of action and offers a $25,000 bet to jump against him.

00:53:18

Evil Knievel's Transition to Airplane Stunts

This chapter details Evil Knievel's transition from motorcycle jumps to airplane stunts. It describes his plane crashes, his lack of a pilot's license, and his disregard for safety regulations.

00:57:17

Can Evil's Bragging and Sexual Prowess

The discussion begins with a conversation about Can Evil's bragging and his claims of having slept with over 600 women. The hosts discuss the commonality of men boasting about their sexual conquests and how it relates to their perceived wealth and status.

00:58:39

Can Evil's Wild Lifestyle and the Viper Room

The hosts delve into Can Evil's wild lifestyle, including his habit of boasting about his sexual exploits in front of his wife and even taking her to bars where he would tell her about the women he had slept with the night before. The conversation then shifts to the Viper Room, a famous bar in Los Angeles, and its connection to Can Evil's past.

01:02:40

The History of the Viper Room and its Connection to Can Evil

The hosts discuss the history of the Viper Room, a bar in Los Angeles, and its connection to Can Evil. They mention that the bar was previously known as the Melody Lounge and was a hangout for Bugsy Siegel in the 1940s. They also discuss the bar's ownership by the McNasty brothers, Filthy and Wolfgang, and their interesting backstory.

01:06:10

Can Evil's Wheelie Accident and Golf Obsession

The hosts discuss Can Evil's wheelie accident and his obsession with golf. They mention that he was known to bet heavily on golf and had a six handicap at one point. They also discuss his claims of being able to beat any PGA golfer if he bet them $10,000.

01:08:31

Can Evil's Father-in-Law's Death and its Impact

The hosts discuss the tragic death of Can Evil's father-in-law, who drowned in a boating accident while duck hunting with Can Evil and his sons. The hosts express their sympathy for Can Evil and his family and discuss the impact of the accident on Can Evil's life.

01:12:19

Can Evil's First Hint of Guilt

The hosts discuss Can Evil's first hint of guilt about anything in his life, which comes from the death of his father-in-law. They note that this is the first time they have heard him express any human emotion.

01:12:44

Can Evil's Alleged Criminal Activities

The hosts discuss Can Evil's alleged criminal activities, including the beatings and threats he allegedly had carried out against people who were involved in projects that competed with his own. They discuss the FBI's investigation into these allegations and the lack of evidence to link Can Evil to organized crime.

01:16:31

Can Evil's Jet-Powered Motorcycle Explosion and Upcoming Appearance

The hosts discuss Can Evil's jet-powered motorcycle explosion, which occurred while it was being refueled. They discuss the damage to the motorcycle and Can Evil's upcoming appearance in a motorcycle show in Las Vegas.

01:17:14

Can Evil's Demolition Derby and Jump

The hosts discuss Can Evil's involvement in a demolition derby and his planned jump over a pyramid of 50 junk cars. They discuss the controversy surrounding the event and the hate mail that the promoters received.

01:30:19

Can Evil's Encounter with Elvis Presley

The hosts discuss Can Evil's encounter with Elvis Presley, which was facilitated by Can Evil's half-sister, Loretta Young, who was dating Elvis at the time. They discuss the similarities between Can Evil and Elvis and how their paths eventually crossed.

01:37:01

Can Evil's Impact on a Teenage Son

The hosts discuss the impact of Can Evil's stunts on a teenage son, who is inspired to enter his own station wagon in a demolition derby. They discuss the absurdity of the situation and the influence that Can Evil has on people.

01:41:39

Can Evil's Family Life and its Challenges

The hosts discuss Can Evil's family life, including his relationship with his wife, Linda, and his children. They discuss the challenges of being married to Can Evil and the impact of his lifestyle on his family.

01:46:22

Can Evil's Dream House and its Unique Features

The hosts discuss Can Evil's dream house, which he built on the 16th fairway of the Butte Country Club. They discuss the house's unique features, including a circular bed, a cedar closet for his fur coats, and a mural of the 16th green in the exercise room.

01:50:16

Can Evil's Debt to a 14-Year-Old Boy

The hosts discuss a 14-year-old boy who claims that Can Evil owes him $1,000. The boy had taken pictures of Can Evil riding a motorcycle without a helmet, which violated a promise that Can Evil had made to pay $1,000 to anyone who saw him doing so.

01:52:38

Can Evil's Confrontation with the FBI

The hosts discuss Can Evil's confrontation with the FBI, who were investigating his alleged criminal activities. Can Evil denied any involvement in the beatings and threats that had been reported, but admitted to making angry phone calls to the victims.

01:54:38

Can Evil's Influence on Children's Christmas Lists

The hosts discuss the influence of Can Evil on children's Christmas lists, as evidenced by letters to Santa Claus that mention his stunt cycle, scramble van, and other merchandise. They discuss the popularity of Can Evil's toys and the impact he had on children's imaginations.

01:59:00

Evil Knievel's Stunts and Legacy

The podcast discusses Evil Knievel's daring stunts, his injuries, and his impact on motorcycle culture. It highlights his reputation as a daredevil and compares his impact to that of the Hells Angels.

02:00:52

Evil Knievel's Toy and Media Frenzy

The podcast delves into the unexpected popularity of the Evil Knievel toy in 1973, leading to a shortage and frenzy among parents. It discusses the role of television advertising and the impact of a Wide World of Sports clip featuring Knievel.

02:03:47

Evil Knievel's TV Show and Business Ventures

The podcast reveals plans for a 30-minute action series based on Evil Knievel's life, set to air in the fall of 1974. It also mentions his foray into the motorcycle repair business through a franchise model.

02:05:05

The Snake River Canyon Jump

The podcast focuses on Evil Knievel's ambitious plan to jump the Snake River Canyon in 1974. It includes expert opinions on the risks involved and the likelihood of survival.

02:07:18

Vince McMahon Jr. Enters the Picture

The podcast introduces Vince McMahon Jr., a 28-year-old promoter who becomes involved in Evil Knievel's Snake River Canyon jump. It highlights the unlikely connection between these two figures.

Keywords

Q&A

• What is the \"Evil Knievel Syndrome\" and how did it come about?

  The \"Evil Knievel Syndrome\" refers to the phenomenon of children, particularly adolescents, imitating Evil Knievel's daredevil stunts, often resulting in serious injuries. This syndrome was documented in medical journals due to the prevalence of these injuries, highlighting the impact of media and celebrity on young people's behavior.

• What was Evil Knievel's philosophy on faith and success?

  Evil Knievel's philosophy was unconventional, as he believed in making peace with God before risky stunts, but also emphasized the importance of preparation and dedication. He saw his success as a result of his unique talent and hard work, and he was unapologetic about his wealth and lifestyle.

• How did Super Joe Einhorn challenge Evil Knievel's dominance?

  Super Joe Einhorn, a rival daredevil, challenged Evil Knievel's claims and attempted to surpass his achievements. He criticized Knievel's lack of action and offered a $25,000 bet to jump against him, highlighting the competitive nature of the daredevil world.

• What was Evil Knievel's transition to airplane stunts like?

  Evil Knievel's transition to airplane stunts was marked by a disregard for safety regulations and a series of crashes. He boasted about his ability to fly without a pilot's license and his belief that the laws of society did not apply to him, showcasing his reckless and rebellious nature.

• What were some of the ways Can Evil bragged about his sexual conquests?

  Can Evil boasted about sleeping with over 600 women, claiming it was nothing compared to Wilt Chamberlain's record. He would even tell his wife about his exploits in front of other people, showing a disregard for her feelings and a desire to flaunt his perceived dominance.

• How did Can Evil's wild lifestyle affect his relationship with his wife?

  Can Evil's constant bragging about his sexual exploits and his disregard for his wife's feelings led to a strained relationship. While his wife, Linda, seemed to accept his behavior publicly, she later admitted that she should have gotten a divorce.

• What was the significance of the Viper Room in Can Evil's life?

  The Viper Room was a famous bar in Los Angeles that was a hangout for Can Evil and other Hollywood celebrities. It was a place where he could indulge in his wild lifestyle and meet new people. The bar's history and its connection to Can Evil's past make it a significant location in his story.

• What was Can Evil's obsession with golf?

  Can Evil was known to bet heavily on golf and had a six handicap at one point. He claimed to be able to beat any PGA golfer if he bet them $10,000, demonstrating his competitive nature and his belief in his own abilities.

• How did Can Evil's father-in-law's death affect him?

  The death of Can Evil's father-in-law in a boating accident was a turning point in his life. It was the first time he showed any hint of guilt or remorse, suggesting that the accident had a profound impact on him.

• What were some of the criminal activities that Can Evil was accused of?

  Can Evil was accused of having people beaten and threatened who were involved in projects that competed with his own. The FBI investigated these allegations, but they were unable to find enough evidence to link Can Evil to organized crime.

Show Notes