All Things Elvis: Kickoff Tributes for “Elvis Week” Honor 34th Anniversary of King of Rock ‘n Roll’s Death (video)
Posted By Vicki McClure Davidson on August 15, 2011
Best Elvis Presley-inspired photo I’ve seen so far during “Elvis Week”… from BBC News:
A professional diver makes waves by donning an Elvis Presley costume in an aquarium in the Philippine capital Manila – a day before the 34th anniversary of the singer’s death.
Diver wearing Elvis Presley costume this week in Manila
While the King of Rock ‘n Roll has been gone 34 years now, his influence lives on. As does his fans’ devotion through out the world. Tomorrow marks the 34th anniversary of Presley’s shocking prescription drugs overdose death, and festivities and memorials are planned in a number of major cities. Likewise, tributes flourish each year on his birthday, January 8.
His popularity has barely waned in decades, with his estate raking in $52 million in 2007 and $55 million in 2009 (despite the economic recession), topping the gross earnings of many living entertainers and making Presley’s estate one of the richest for dead celebrities.
From Fox News, ‘Elvis Week’ Set to Commemorate 34th Anniversary of Music Legend’s Death:
Elvis Presley fans are flocking to Memphis to prepare to honor the 34-year-anniversary of the death of the “King of Rock ‘n Roll” Tuesday.
Every year, thousands of people arrive in Memphis from around the world to remember Elvis’ death as part of “Elvis Week,” which includes a candlelight vigil at the late singer’s home, known as Graceland. But while the event doesn’t take place until Tuesday, Aug. 16, by Monday morning, lines were already beginning to form.
This year also marks the 55th anniversary of the release of the first two Elvis albums. In just that first year, 1956, Elvis sold 10 million singles and 800,000 LPs.
But Elvis Week began a few days earlier this year with special recognition of the family who gave Elvis his style.
“My dad said, `Elvis would rather shop than eat,’ ” said Hal Lanksy, son of Bernard Lansky, the 84-year-old “Clothier to The King” who outfitted Elvis during his time in Memphis.
At noon Sunday, three generations of Lanskys — Bernard, Hal, and Julie — were recognized for influencing the fashion of “The King” and, in doing so, the fashion of rock-and-roll itself.
Over 200 fans — some sporting the famous 1970s attire of Elvis — gathered at 126 Beale, the original location of Lansky Bros. clothing, to see the unveiling of the historical marker. The event also featured local celebrities, such as George Klein and David Porter.
Elvis Presley, the 'King of Rock' died 34 years ago, on August 16, 1977
The recipe for Elvis Presley’s beloved and infamous Fried Peanut Butter & Banana Sandwich is posted in the Celebrity Recipes section of the main Frugal Café website. There is also some biographical info about the rock legend there.
From Arkansas Matters, Elvis Week 2011 Begins:
Elvis Presley fans are gearing up to mark the 34th anniversary of his death with the annual candlelight vigil at Graceland tonight.
The overnight gathering is the crowning point of Elvis Week.
Those attending the vigil will meet near Presley’s famed Memphis mansion.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Elvis Presley fans love an anniversary.
Every year, thousands of Elvis devotees flock to Memphis to remember the singer’s death on Aug. 16, 1977. The main event of “Elvis Week” is the solemn candlelight vigil at Graceland, his longtime home, on Tuesday.
This year, fans have something else to commemorate. It was 55 years ago — 1956 — when the first two Elvis albums — “Elvis Presley” and the follow-up “Elvis” — were released, launching an international music career that brought Elvis’ mix of country, rhythm and blues, and gospel to millions of fans around the world.
“It’s a documentation of what I think is rock music’s most incredible year,” said Ernst Jorgensen, a music producer and Elvis catalog expert. “Nobody was prepared for Elvis.”
To mark Elvis’ breakout year, Jorgensen and his team have assembled a five-CD box set called “Young Man with the Big Beat.” Jorgensen will be unveiling the RCA/Legacy box set today at Graceland. The collection goes on sale Sept. 27.
Video tributes to Presley created on previous anniversaries of his death:
Elvis Presley Tribute – 29th Anniversary of His Death
Elvis Presley Tribute – 30th Anniversary of His Death
About the author
as an old man from a far-away land, i would like to ‘tip my forelock’ to the Elvis who ‘blew into our english teenage lives so long ago,
his blue-sued shoes version, of carl perkins song, changed our lives forever, and started a pop-culture that then, the ‘grown-ups’ said would be gone in a year.
well it wasn’t, but Elvis went into the army, and we were changed, and so was he when he returned.
and did not make many good rock and roll records after his return.
my memories of a lean-hipster with good bopping songs, and excellent back-group, never morphed into the lazy fat guy, with no friends, and a ruthless manager,
he lives on, immortalized as an All American Icon to generations across the world
R.I.P Elvis, you surely changed many lives