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Vigil to mark Elvis anniversary Fans' vigil for Elvis anniversary
(about 7 hours later)
Thousands of fans are gathering to mark the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death with a candlelight vigil at the singer's Memphis home, Graceland. Thousands of fans are marking the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death with a candlelight vigil at the singer's Memphis home, Graceland.
Visitors will make the pilgrimage to his grave to remember "The King", who died on 16 August 1977, aged 42. Visitors made the pilgrimage to his grave to remember "The King", who died on 16 August 1977, aged 42.
The vigil will be followed by a tribute concert featuring footage of Elvis, accompanied live on stage by his former band members and backing singers. Ex-wife Priscilla Presley said Elvis was still a powerful figure. "To see the fans from all over the world... it's mind-boggling," she said.
Ex-wife Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie are both expected to attend. The vigil will be followed by a tribute concert featuring footage of Elvis.
Fans have travelled from around the world for events to remember and celebrate the superstar's life and music. The footage will be accompanied by a live performance featuring former band members and backing singers.
They are having to contend with a heatwave in Memphis, where temperatures are rising past 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius). An estimated 75,000 fans from around the world have travelled to Memphis - where temperatures have topped 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) - to attend events celebrating the superstar's life and music.
Fans began lining up for the candlelit vigil early in the day
"It's official - this is the biggest Elvis week and the biggest candlelight vigil ever," said Tom Morgan, executive director of Elvis Presley Enterprises, as he opened the ceremony on Wednesday evening.
Those taking part in the vigil queued for hours outside the gates, to carry candles up the mansion's long driveway to the singer's grave beside the house.
Many fans carried stuffed animals, flowers and other small gifts to leave beside the grave.
Paramedics have treated several fans for heat exhaustion and ambulances are on standby.Paramedics have treated several fans for heat exhaustion and ambulances are on standby.
Those taking part in the vigil will queue for hours outside the gates, waiting to carry candles up the mansion's long driveway and to his grave beside the house. Mary Powell began queuing at 0500 on Wednesday to get a place near the front of the line. "A lot of people would say I'm crazy, but this has to do with my love for Elvis. He did so much for his fans," she said.
Mary Powell from Kansas started queuing at 0500 to get a place near the front of the line. "If you're back at the back of that crowd, you're five hours away from going up the hill," said Jack Soden, chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages Graceland.
"A lot of people would say I'm crazy, but this has to do with my love for Elvis. He did so much for his fans," she said. The vigil is an annual event that began as an impromptu gathering on the first anniversary of Elvis' death. Elvis Presley is credited with revolutionising popular music
Elvis Presley is credited with revolutionising popular music"If you're back at the back of that crowd, you're five hours away from going up the hill," said Jack Soden, chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages Graceland. Over the years, a week of memorial events has been established around the anniversary.
The vigil is an annual event that started as an impromptu gathering on the first anniversary. This year, it is expected to go on until the early hours of Thursday morning. "I think we missed out, because he never came [to the UK]," said one fan, Barbara Bowers from Derbyshire, who flew to Memphis from the UK for Elvis Week.
Over the years, a week of memorial events has built up around the anniversary.
"I think we missed out, because he never came [to the UK]," said one fan, Barbara Bowers from Derbyshire, who flew to Memphis from England.
"We wanted him to come so much. But, he didn't. So this is the best we can get.""We wanted him to come so much. But, he didn't. So this is the best we can get."
This year's Elvis Week kicked off on Saturday with a fan appreciation day at Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a firework display set to his music.This year's Elvis Week kicked off on Saturday with a fan appreciation day at Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi, and a firework display set to his music.
A week of events in Tennessee is marking The King's deathOn the anniversary itself, Elvis' childhood friend George Klein will host a memorial service at the University of Memphis, while a second concert will take place at midnight. On Thursday, the anniversary of his death, Elvis' childhood friend George Klein will host a memorial service at the University of Memphis.
Friday will see the final of the first officially-endorsed tribute artist contest, which will feature 10 of the best Elvis impersonators from around the globe. A week of events in Tennessee celebrates Elvis' life and music
The tribute concert will be followed by a second concert, Elvis in Vegas, which takes place at midnight.
Friday will see the final of the first officially-endorsed tribute artist contest, featuring 10 of the best Elvis impersonators from around the globe.
"There are competitions all over the world and they're all fantastic, but to have one run by Elvis Presley Enterprises is something special," said Paul Larcombe, a professional tribute artist from Crewe, north-west England, who is among the finalists."There are competitions all over the world and they're all fantastic, but to have one run by Elvis Presley Enterprises is something special," said Paul Larcombe, a professional tribute artist from Crewe, north-west England, who is among the finalists.
"It's already enhanced my career just getting over here.""It's already enhanced my career just getting over here."
Graceland, where Elvis died as a result of heart disease worsened by drug abuse, is now a major tourist attraction, visited by almost 600,000 people per year. The winner gets $5000 (£2,500) in cash and another $5000 to spend at Graceland.
They come to pay their respects to the man who is credited by many with changing the face of popular music in the 1950s when he fused country and blues to create rock 'n' roll. Graceland, where Elvis died as a result of heart disease exacerbated by drug abuse, is now a major tourist attraction visited by almost 600,000 people every year.
Music lovers come to pay their respects to the man who is credited by many with changing the face of popular music in the 1950s, when he fused country and blues to create rock 'n' roll.
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