What Elvis Presley makes people flock to Graceland the day of his death, year after year to hold candlelight vigils? Why celebrate his death, apparently over his birth?
On this day 34 years ago, King was found collapsed on the floor of the bathroom, dead of an apparent heart attack at age 42. The role played by drug use in his latest death has been debated for decades, with the common knowledge that the years of abuse led to many medical problems that contributed to his death.
On this day 34 years ago, King was found collapsed on the floor of the bathroom, dead of an apparent heart attack at age 42. The role played by drug use in his latest death has been debated for decades, with the common knowledge that the years of abuse led to many medical problems that contributed to his death.
Today marks the end of “Elvis Week,” the 7-day celebration/memorial service held at his long-time home of Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. The culmination of the week was last night’s candlelight vigil, where fans were “invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis’ gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Free admission. No tickets or reservations. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary date of Elvis’ passing.”
Last night, the crowd reached 15,000 to 20,000 people strong and lasted until dawn. People came from all over the world including Japan, England and Germany, to lay flowers and other tokens in his grave.
Why Elvis still have much power over our national consciousness? Why do not we let him go, as we have let so many other icons really rest in peace? Jon Pareles Critic had this to say about the 25th anniversary of his death:
Why Elvis still have much power over our national consciousness? Why do not we let him go, as we have let so many other icons really rest in peace? Jon Pareles Critic had this to say about the 25th anniversary of his death:
Twenty-five years after he died of a drug overdose in his bathroom at Graceland, on Aug. 16, 1977, he is still a charismatic figure, as widely recognized as a president or a Coca-Cola logo. And he is still ripe for admiration and exploitation.
Elvis remains an archetype as a musician and a celebrity, as an idol of almost religious proportions and a punch line, as a success story and a cautionary tale, as a touchstone for performers and a cash cow for recording companies.
Elvis offers something for everyone? For those old enough to have lived through its rise and eventual downfall, which has been elevated to a religious icon? For the younger generation could hardly remember when he died, is a fascinating story - a true American tragedy?
Is it just revered as the first U.S. mega-star?
Whatever it is, people really care about Elvis and the day of his death is basically a national day of commemoration. He is a top trend on Twitter and tweets are rolling in by the hundreds every few minutes.
Is it just revered as the first U.S. mega-star?
Whatever it is, people really care about Elvis and the day of his death is basically a national day of commemoration. He is a top trend on Twitter and tweets are rolling in by the hundreds every few minutes.
