Elvis Week 2008
- King-Size: Elvis collection fills Catawba couple's mobile home
By Ragan Robininson
(denverpost.com, August 17 2008)
David Powell planned to drive with his headlights on yesterday. It's how he intended memorialize Elvis Presley, who died 31 years ago yesterday -- Aug. 16, 1977.
However, it's hardly the only way or the only day this 39-year-old Newton man remembers The King. He and wife Helen couldn't forget about Elvis if they tried. Near life-size cardboard stand-ups, posters and pictures of their idol show up in most of the rooms in the couple's mobile home. That includes, appropriately enough, the bathroom.
A spare bedroom is so crowded with Elvis dolls, lunchboxes, toy cars, shoes, flip books, board games and hundreds of other trinkets that one can barely turn around inside the room without sending items such as special-issue playing cards and a gold-plated Elvis medallion toppling to the small patch of floor left vacant by the collection.
The living room walls are crowded with Elvis album covers and beach blankets. Helen managed to squeeze in pictures of her parents and her graduation between two guitar-shaped, eagle-headed commemorative Elvis plates.
In the bedroom sit bottles of Blue Suede Chardonnay and Jailhouse Rock Red Merlot. It doesn't taste good, admits Helen, reclining on a throw pillow embroidered with the song lyric "It's Now or Never," but she and her husband would have bought it even if they had known that.
It complements the Vaughn-Bassett Elvis Presley bedroom suite, complete with dresser and armoire knobs stamped with the initials EP. David says that the quilted white-leather headboard is modeled after Elvis' bed. Powell took the $4,000 for the bed, dresser and wardrobe out of his 401(k). It's his prize possession. "I called up the funeral home and asked if they could bury me and the bed together," he said.
David started collecting Elvis stuff when he was 5. His aunt Sue Johnson -- who Powell calls Elvis' second biggest fan -- gave him an 8-by-10 picture of Presley's famous face printed on a mirror she won at the Hickory American Legion Fair. He wasn't sure where it was, before realizing that it was hanging in the spare bedroom. Sometimes, with a collection that spreads across the entire house, it's hard to keep up with everything, Powell said.
As he gives the grand tour, David, a jolly fellow with a grin he can't get rid of, is as full of Elvis trivia as his house is of Elvis knick-knacks. There are more cameras at Graceland than at the White House, Powell said. The last two songs the King ever played were "Unchained Melody" and "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," he said. Powell would rather talk trivia than emotions. He and his wife don't have much to say about why they remain Elvis fans. "He's just once in a lifetime," David said, shrugging like he can't believe it's not evident why anyone would want to devote entire rooms to Presley. "I mean, that voice?" It's the voice coming out of his television, where the movie King Creole was playing, and the voice he listens for when he's up until 3 a.m. searching YouTube for Elvis video clips he's never seen before.
- Elvis Vigil Draws Thousands
By Katharine Westfall
(thecelebritycafe.com, August 16 2008)
Fans descend upon Memphis for Elvis Week 2008.
On the anniversary of Elvis Presleyıs death, fans gathered at his gravesite for their annual vigil. Thirty-one years have now passed since heart failure ended the singer's life on August 16, 1977, but he is as much a star today as he was then. The Associated Press reported that this year several thousand people showed up to the "Candlelight Vigil," where they paraded silently up the Graceland driveway to Presley's resting place behind his home. According to the AP, the Vigil is merely a highlight of several days worth of events, known as Elvis Week. Fox News reported in 2007 for the 30th anniversary that an estimated 75,000 people are expected to descend on Memphis this week alone. According to E! News, only half that number of attendees was anticipated. Although many devoted fans were willing to brave the Tennessee heat and rain, People Magazine reported on its Web site that the vigil would also be accessible to people who chose to stay home via an online "vigilcast."
The official Elvis Week Web site (elvisweek.com) listed among the offered activities a 5K Elvis run, a Graceland tour DVD theatrical premiere, an Elvis Gospel Breakfast, the Club Elvis private party, and a Fan Club Presidents' event. Perhaps the most exciting is the Elvis Impersonators' Competition in which 22 pre-selected contestants from the U.S., Canada, and Australia sing their hearts out. According to Country Music Television, the winner of the contest gets a 12-week paid performance contract with Legends in Concert and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to borrow the crown of the man they called "The King."
- Elvis Presley: 18 Royal Moments
By Gary Susman
(ew.com, August 16 2008)
Photo Gallery [of 19 photos with captions]
On the anniversary of the rock 'n' roll legend's death, we revisit the milestones in the life of a King.
- Elvis fans brave rain to show burning love
By Woody Baird, Associated Press
(denverpost.com, August 16 2008)
Mary Lou Martell put it off as long as she could. But she finally had to head to Memphis for an anniversary vigil at Elvis Presley's grave. "It's my first Elvis Week. I'm a little ashamed to say that, but it is," Martell, 60, said as she took part in a candlelight procession to Presley's grave at Graceland, his former Memphis residence. "We watched it on the computer last year and I finally said, 'I have to be part of that.' " The procession, called the "Candlelight Vigil," drew several thousand Elvis fans who lined up in the street in front of Graceland for a single-file procession up a long, winding driveway to his grave in a small garden.
Fans weren't scared away by an intermittent drizzle during the vigil, which began at 9:30 p.m. EDT. "We're doing fine," Martell said, peeping out from the hood of a plastic parka. "It's just for Elvis we stay out doing this." The vigil, which runs into the early morning, is the highlight of a week-long series of fan-club meetings, dances and Elvis-impersonator contests to commemorate the anniversary of his death. He died of heart disease and drug abuse at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977. He was 42.
Martell of Dunkirk, N.Y., said she visits Graceland often but avoided Elvis Week in the past because of the crowds. She came early for her first graveside vigil, though, setting up a lawn chair at 9 a.m. at Graceland's front gates.
Many Elvis pilgrims return each year, and the graveside vigil draws visitors from around the world. But it's largely ignored by Memphis residents.
Jennifer Hobson, 29, of Memphis and a group of hometown friends formed a "Blue Hawaii" club to try to change that and sent out vigil invitations to their friends. The group set up a small canvas canopy in the street in front of Graceland and decorated it with inflatable palm trees, blue lights and an Elvis bust sporting a blue lei. "This is part of our city," Hobson said, "but when we come down here, we rarely see people we know. Y'all need to come out." Hobson said the group had to leave some decorations at home because of the rain. I have a velvet Elvis, but because of the rain we couldn't bring out all of our good stuff," Hobson said.
Graceland supports a sprawling complex of souvenir shops, and fans waiting for the procession packed the stores pouring over Viva Las Vegas bobble-head dolls for $19.99, Burning Love scented candles for $14.99, Jailhouse Rock T-shirts for $24.99 and hundreds of other Elvis-flavored gifts and do-dads.
Nancy Rooks, a former Graceland cook, was set up at a souvenir shop table to sell her book, "Elvis' Maid Remembers," and talk with fans. Generally, the 71-year-old Rooks said, the fans ask about Elvis' personal habits, when he went to bed, when he got up, what he liked to eat. "I tell them he ate breakfast at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, but then he'd eat dinner at 1 o'clock at night," she said. "We always had a meat loaf cooked, just in case he wanted it. If he didn't want meat loaf, then we knew to give him roast beef. He liked soul food."
- Elvis Presley remembered on death anniversary (Tribute)
By Sevanand Gaddala
(newkerala.com, August 16 2008)
Elvis Presley might have died an inglorious death on Aug 16 thirty-one years ago, but there is no doubt that he is one of the most important singers ever.
Like most icons, Presley transcended his profession to become a phenomenon in almost all spheres of life. He affected music, culture, politics and even sexuality.
Before he was found face down, dead on his bathroom floor at age 42, Presley lived that chequered life which feeds any kind of myth, praise, ridicule and awe.
Presley is not a legend just because he was the first one to do something that would live forever; he also served as the blueprint. Others following him would have to deconstruct his style and method to emulate if they wanted success.
Neither would Presley be so huge if he was just a singer. He had hips. He could move them. Women swooned, guys envied him and the religious folk saw the devil incarnate in him. He was a singer, performer and sexual revolutionary. He was the first performer ever to bring such blatant unabashed sexuality to the mainstream. In one of his earlier performances on TV, executives were so nervous of his wildness that he had to be filmed from the waist up.
For most of his career, Presley was managed by the legendary Colonel Parker. They had an acrimonious relationship, but they managed to have a hold over the music industry to the point where his accomplishments became staggering.
Presley has sold more than a billion records worldwide. He has the most number of gold, platinum and multi-platinum certifications worldwide. He has 149 chart topping singles, with 18 of them making it to No.1.
He was also the first rock star to make a successful crossover to movies. Though he always wanted to prove himself as a serious actor, he starred in mediocre roles in B grade movies. This was mainly because of Colonel Parker and his lack of vision. But these movies were huge commercial successes because Presley appeared in them.
Presley would have died an earlier death of anonymity if it wasn't for his monumental comeback in 1968. For some years before this, he had languished.
Beatle mania was taking over and Presley also served in the war for a few years. His fame took a backseat till he came back in 1968 with performances in Las Vegas. It was his first performance in eight years and is considered the best comeback in music history.
Aspiring musicians in India are also unabashed about this admiration for Presley and his influence on them. The sheer number of his hits belted out at concerts today makes him seem a contemporary artist.
Jonathan Mesen, a theology student from Nagaland, who is an active musician, cites Presley as a major influence, saying: "Though Presley had roots in gospel music and excelled in using that to talk about love, he ultimately lost his way when he tried to find it within himself and others."
Presley died a lonely man. He struggled with drug addiction, though not the recreational kind. He was disillusioned with fame in the later years of his life. But for what he created, in music, performances and his charisma, he will always be as big as he is now.
Long live the king.
- Elvis Presley fans brace for graveside vigil
(GMA News, August 16 2008)
Mary Lou Martell put it off as long as she could. But she finally had to head to Memphis for an anniversary vigil at Elvis Presley's grave.
"It's my first Elvis Week. I'm a little ashamed to say that, but it is," Martell, 60, said as she stood at the front gates of Graceland waiting to take part in the graveside procession. "We watch it on the computer last year and I finally said, 'I have to be part of that."
The procession, called the "Candlelight Vigil," draws several thousand Elvis fans who line up in the street in front of Graceland, Presley's former residence, and then walk single file up a winding, quarter-mile driveway to his grave in a small garden. Before Friday night's vigil, rain started to fall.
The highlight of a week-long series of fan-club meetings, dances and Elvis-impersonator contests, it begins 9 p.m. each Aug. 15 and runs into the early morning. Presley died at Graceland of heart disease and drug abuse on Aug. 16, 1977. He was 42.
Martell of Dunkirk, N.Y., said she visits Graceland often but avoided Elvis Week in the past because of the crowds. She came early for her first graveside vigil, though, setting up a lawn chair at 9 a.m. at Graceland's front gates.
Many Elvis pilgrims take part in the August celebration and the graveside vigil each year.
Cherry Trotter, traveling with a group of Elvis fans from Great Britain, said she visits on the anniversary as often as possible.
"I have to come and check on him to make sure he's OK," Trotter, 61, said earlier in the week at Graceland's unveiling of its newest souvenir, a set of Barbie dolls made up like Presley and his ex-wife, Priscilla, on their wedding day in 1967.
Graceland supports a sprawling complex of souvenir shops, and fans packed the stores pouring over Viva Las Vegas bobble head dolls for $19.99, Burning Love scented candles for $14.99, Jailhouse Rock T-shirts for $24.99 and hundreds of other Elvis-flavored gifts and do-dads.
Nancy Rooks, a former Graceland cook, was set up at souvenir shop table to sell her book, "Elvis' Maid Remembers," and talk with fans.
Generally, the 71-year-old Rooks said, the fans ask about Elvis' personal habits, when he went to bed, when he got up, what he liked to eat.
"I tell them he ate breakfast at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, but then he'd eat dinner at 1 o'clock at night," she said. "We always had a meat loaf cooked, just in case he wanted it. If he didn't want meat loaf, then we knew to give him roast beef. He liked soul food." - AP
- Priscilla Presley's life has come full circle
By David Hinckley
(nydailynews.com, August 15 2008)
The Elvis Presley estate likes to unveil a few new things each year for Elvis Week, which climaxes Saturday in Memphis when tens of thousands of pilgrims mark the 31st anniversary of The King's death. One of the new arrivals this year is the first-ever Graceland-sanctioned Elvis and Priscilla wedding doll. The first few models were auctioned for charity in Memphis this week, with bids up to $6,000. The regular retail models will sell for a suggested $75.
They aren't the first Elvis and Priscilla wedding dolls. They're just the first official ones. But they're a nice touch in the sense that they remind us Elvis wasn't the only Presley who became a part of our cultural life. Priscilla had to fight harder for her spot than Elvis did - because she had to do it all in his considerable shadow. That adds a touch of poignance to the wedding doll - because in a way, it brings her back full circle.
Priscilla first showed up in our lives as a kind of living doll - the young girl Elvis had chosen after they met in Germany in 1959. Priscilla Beaulieu was 14. Four years later, with the acquiescence of her family, he brought her to Memphis and kind of tucked her away until she was old enough to become Mrs. Presley. That was May 1, 1967, when they got married in Las Vegas.
During that time, Elvis shaped her into what he wanted - which sounds insulting today, but which she said in her autobiography was fine with her back then. Apparently a big part of his vision for her involved buckets of makeup and black eye shadow, witness their famous wedding pictures. There almost could have been a doll under all that.
But she was also a doll in the sense that the world didn't know much about her - only that Elvis, who could have had virtually any woman in the world, and actually did have a fair number of them, chose her. So we were automatically fascinated with her, even though we knew next to nothing about her.
Marriage to Elvis didn't turn out to be quite the dream gig, a truth documented exhaustively in several hundred books and a thousand other places. His own indiscretions were documented in his music. Listen to the songs he was singing during the early '70s - "You Were Always On My Mind," things like that - and this was clearly a man trying to put the genie back into the bottle.
By the time they formally divorced in 1973, Priscilla had had at least one affair of her own, with her karate instructor Mike Stone. That produced, among other things, the great vignette about a depressed and melancholy Elvis telling his posse one gloomy night that "Mike Stone must die." ...
- Elvis Presley Remembered by Groveland Resident
By Mark Truppner
(KVML, August 15 2008)
This Saturday August 16th marks the 31st Anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. Peggy Mosely, owner of the Groveland Hotel, grew up with Presley as a child and lived only about 100 yards away from him in a Government Housing Project. Mosely discussed growing up with Presley on today's Newsmaker segment on AM-1450 KVML.
Mosely said, "We hung out together, drank Cokes, played corkball and did the things that kids do together when they couldn't afford a lot of sports equipment." According to Mosely, Presley was a very shy kid and was so poor that he went to school barefoot.
However, Presley was given a guitar by his Mom and Mosely says that from that day, he always carried it with him. In the evenings, Elvis would strum his guitar in the local mall where the kids would gather around. Elvis would also try to sing during the school talent shows at Humes High School. Mosely recalls that he did not start out with a great voice but did develop it over time.
Presley and Mosely remained friends even after Mosely moved to California in 1959 and Presley's fame grew immensely. Mosely concludes, "We were friends even when there was no need for him to be my friend other than the fact that he was a great person. I'll always remember him like that".
- Elvis Presley Is Still #1
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, August 15 2008)
On the eve of the thirty-first anniversary of his passing, Elvis Presley holds a commanding lead in the voting for RockinTown.com's Greatest Rock Artist of All-Time. Presley, who easily out-polled Pearl Jam (2006 winner) and Nirvana (2005 winner) last year could become the first artist to top the survey twice.
Presley, rock 'n' roll's first superstar, set the bar -- and set it high. With talent to burn and charisma that has never been matched, Presley's catalog continues to log impressive sales worldwide. That his career was able to survive over a dozen bad movies and a slew of toss-off late-70's concert albums is a true testament to his talent and enduring appeal.
Trailing Presley in the voting are Led Zeppelin (#2), Green Day (#3), The Beatles (#4) and Nirvana (#5). Evanescence and My Chemical Romance have a few hundred vote lead over the Rolling Stones who are currently 10th on the list. Over 69,000 votes have been cast for 63 groups or solo acts -- only Presley has garnered more than 10% of the ballots.
"The Top 5 is a pretty eclectic group," said Mark Clinton, RockinTown.com's manager. "There's the King of Rock n' Roll, the Hammer of the Gods, Punk, the Fab Four and Grunge. Rock's breath and scope is encapsulated right there."
Fans are allowed to vote once a day through the New Year's Eve deadline with the annual winner announced on New Year's Day. Voters must be RockinTown.com members but membership is free. Rock fans can go to http://www.rockintown.com to register and vote.
RockinTown.com is also polling fans for the Best Artist of 2008. This award goes to a group/performer that has released an album of original material in the past 12 months. Currently, Puddle Of Mudd (for "Famous") leads the voting.
RockinTown.com, an entertainment site, chronicles rock's history from the beginning to the present with over 750 artist bios and a daily rundown of key events in rock history (Today In Rock). Rock fans can exchange views, find like-minded enthusiasts, lobby for favorite bands and review albums in the RockinForum.
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