RIP Evel Knievel

By Rick Morris

The most notable accomplishment in the life of Evel Knievel is that he basically created an entire industry. Few would know or care about the occupation of daredevil were it not for him and its bastard stepchild known as extreme sports would not have been spawned. So he was quite a difference-maker in American popular culture over the last half-century.

Most of his biggest stunts occurred either before I was born or when I was too young to have seen them. But he was still a huge influence in my very early childhood years in the '70s, with Evel being a big hero to so many kids at school. We at The FDH Lounge send our thoughts and prayers to Evel and his friends and family.

Wishing to pay tribute in the way he would probably deem most appropriate, we're bringing you some of his greatest hits on video.

Here's a tribute that has clips of many of his classic moments.

Here's the Caesar's Palace fountain jump.

Here's the Snake River Canyon jump.

Here's some rare 8mm footage of Evel doing a promotional stunt in Ohio back in the '70s.

Here's Evel jumping many vehicles at a stop in Portland.

RIP Daredevil.