Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died on Aug. 16, 1977, 36 years ago today. Presley is still remembered as one of the most important voices in rock history and popular culture. Every year, his fans gather at Graceland for a candlelight vigil and this year was no different.
The Associated Press notes that thousands of Presley fans showed up Thursday night for the vigil, which continued through this morning. Many lined up to see his grave at the Memphis landmark where Presley lived. The vigil is the centerpiece of Elvis Week, when fans come from all over the world to celebrate the legend.
Last summer, Graceland celebrated its 30th anniversary as a tourist attraction. A reported 18 million fans have visited the house to see how the King lived.
“Every time I go in there, I feel like Elvis is going to come down the stairs any minute,” Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, told the AP last year. “I have no doubt that he's there, somewhere, his spirit. I think people feel that.”
Elvis’ breakthrough year was 1955, notes Biography.com. He scored his first No. 1 hit with “Heartbreak Hotel” and his album, Elvis Presley, reached No. 1. the following year, he would make his first movie, Love Me Tender, which was just released on Blu-ray.
In an early television interview, Elvis talks about his fame and revealed that he had plenty of Cadillacs, but no tux, notes The Huffington Post. It’s also an interesting peek at how differently celebrities were interviewed in the 1950s, but also how we are have always been hungry to know their personal details.
Here’s a few key early Elvis tracks:
“Heartbreak Hotel”
“That’s Alright (Mama)”
“Hound Dog” - Watch those hips!
What's your favorite Elvis track?
image: Wikimedia Commons
