Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Elvis (Presley) fans brave heat to mark his death (August 16)
AP ^ | August 16, 2007 | WOODY BAIRD

Posted on 08/16/2007 9:37:51 AM PDT by lowbridge

Elvis fans brave heat to mark his death By WOODY BAIRD Associated Press Writer

Thousands of Elvis Presley fans braved 105-degree heat as they wound down Graceland's driveway in a graveside procession Wednesday in advance of the 30th anniversary of the singer's death. The heat led to the death of a fan from New Jersey, a 67-year-old woman.

Despite the promise of another furnace-like day, some fans began lining up early in the morning for the candlelight vigil, setting up umbrellas and folding chairs on the sidewalk along four-lane Elvis Presley Boulevard. The memorial was expected to run through the night and into Thursday, the death anniversary.

The procession, with fans walking mostly single-file and holding candles, filed up Graceland's long winding driveway and past Presley's grave in a small garden beside the white-columned house. Many fans carried flowers, stuffed animals and other small gifts to leave at the grave.

The body of the woman who died was found Wednesday afternoon inside a trailer at a Graceland campground. She had chronic health problems, but the Shelby County medical examiner's office said the heat contributed to her death. The Memphis Fire Department said it also treated at least six people overcome by heat, including an 8-year-old boy who was hospitalized.

Tom Vigil, 42, of Denver was determined not to let the heat stop him even though he was missing part of a lung from recent surgery.

Decked out in a black Elvis-type jumpsuit, Vigil pulled an oxygen tank behind him with a breathing tube attached to his nose.

"I'm not in the best of health, but I wanted to be out here and be part of this," he said.

Mary Powell of Salinas, Kan., said she took up her post at 5 a.m. to be sure to get 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," Powell said.

The legendary entertainer, acclaimed as The King, died 30 years ago Thursday at age 42 of heart disease worsened by drug abuse.

The vigil is the most popular and solemn anniversary event in a weeklong string of concerts, dances, movie screenings and other festivities put on by Graceland.

No one keeps exact figures, but the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated up to 75,000 people would be drawn to town for the anniversary week.

Graceland draws almost 600,000 visitors a year and up to 40,000 file through the three-story white-columned house during Elvis Tribute Week.

Fans preparing for the vigil filled the souvenir shops of Graceland's sprawling tourist complex. Elvis impersonators, with karaoke accompaniment, put on a daylong show for fans packed into a large tent in a shopping center parking lot.

Workers from a Memphis hospital passed out free bottles of water and fans lining up for the vigil could take breaks to stand for a few moments in a misting tent dubbed "Kentucky Rain" after one of Presley's songs.

Abby Reeves of North Augusta, S.C., said she expected Memphis to be hot, but not quite so hot.

"We had some family here last year and they said it was only in the 90s," Reeves said.

When Presley died, his finances were in sad shape. Led by ex-wife Priscilla Presley, the estate formed Elvis Presley Enterprises, opened Graceland to the public in 1982 and solidified the legal rights to make money on Elvis' name and image.

Last year, Graceland took in $27 million in revenue, and the overall Elvis business brings in more than $40 million a year. That made him the second-highest grossing dead celebrity in 2006, behind only Nirvana's Kurt Cobain, according to Forbes magazine.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; US: Tennessee
KEYWORDS: anniversary; elvis; elvispresley; graceland; music
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

1 posted on 08/16/2007 9:37:54 AM PDT by lowbridge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
Last year, Graceland took in $27 million in revenue, and the overall Elvis business brings in more than $40 million a year.

Wow.
2 posted on 08/16/2007 9:39:56 AM PDT by Jaysun (It's outlandishly inappropriate to suggest that I'm wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jaysun
Priscilla has done a great job with Graceland.


3 posted on 08/16/2007 9:43:39 AM PDT by TexasCajun
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Jaysun

I’m an Independent Sales Representative for Avon (legal way of saying Avon lady) and we’ve got 4 pages of Elvis stuff in our current campaign book. Includes a tote bag, wallet, T shirt, fleece throw, coffee mug, and watch. Personally I don’t understand the fuss but then again he was before my time, I’m 31 years old.


4 posted on 08/16/2007 9:44:27 AM PDT by Severa (I can't take this stress anymore...quick, get me a marker to sniff....)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
Tom Vigil, 42, of Denver was determined not to let the heat stop him even though he was missing part of a lung from recent surgery.
Decked out in a black Elvis-type jumpsuit, Vigil pulled an oxygen tank behind him with a breathing tube attached to his nose.
"I'm not in the best of health, but I wanted to be out here and be part of this," he said.


This man, God bless him, is Certifiable.
5 posted on 08/16/2007 9:46:55 AM PDT by day10
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Severa

I never understood the Elvis mania either. But then again I’m a child of the seventies.


6 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:04 AM PDT by alice_in_bubbaland (I will respect illegal aliens civil rights, when they respect the sovereignty of the US!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
"Thousands of Elvis Presley fans braved 105-degree heat..."

You'd think it would be cooler there with all those fans...;-)

7 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:06 AM PDT by Joe 6-pack (Que me amat, amet et canem meum)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

RIP Elvis. 30 years, wow.


8 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:06 AM PDT by RDTF (Republicans believe every day is July 4th, but Democrats believe every day is April 15th. - Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

"Get a Life!"

9 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:21 AM PDT by dfwgator (The University of Florida - Still Championship U)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Joe 6-pack

LOL good one!! hahahahaha


10 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:37 AM PDT by RDTF (Republicans believe every day is July 4th, but Democrats believe every day is April 15th. - Reagan)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Jaysun

Next to Jesus Christ, Elvis brings in more $$$$$ than any other dead person in the history of the world. It is amazing how long the Elvis momentum has lasted. Priscilla was and is a shrewd bussinesswoman. She knew how to make a buck off the King. And she’s done it tastefully, along with others that work in the effort. Graceland was facing bankruptcy after EP died. She took over and saved it from the auction block. I’m glad she did. It is the single most visited place in Memphis.

I ask people what they think of Memphis. Elvis is the FIRST thing out of their mouths. After that, they are hard pressed to come up with anything second, except maybe Federal Express or Beale Street.


11 posted on 08/16/2007 9:49:50 AM PDT by NCC-1701 (PUT AN END TO ORGANIZED CRIME. ABOLISH THE I.R.S.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

I love his music, but I don’t understand the obsession people have with making him into some kind of demi-god.


12 posted on 08/16/2007 9:50:26 AM PDT by Millee (Tagline free since 10/20/06)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

American Lourdes.


13 posted on 08/16/2007 9:50:38 AM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
The Man is laughing as he manages his 7-11 franchise from his office in northern Idaho.


14 posted on 08/16/2007 9:52:57 AM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
Down on your knees and pray, y'all!


15 posted on 08/16/2007 9:55:32 AM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Severa
Personally I don’t understand the fuss but then again he was before my time, I’m 31 years old.

I'm 32 years old but in my car, my house and on my computer Elvis is the only music that plays for more than 1/2 the time. He's excellent. But I don't get the bags, the velvet paintings, plates, and all that other crap. So cheesy.
16 posted on 08/16/2007 9:57:24 AM PDT by Jaysun (It's outlandishly inappropriate to suggest that I'm wrong.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
This thread wouldn't be complete without a picture of Cameltoe Elvis...


17 posted on 08/16/2007 9:59:55 AM PDT by reagan_fanatic (Ron Paul put the cuckoo in my Cocoa Puffs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: reagan_fanatic
Thank goodness we still have the Chinese Elvis!


18 posted on 08/16/2007 10:02:37 AM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge
And Elvis Herselvis (shown here with manager Tammy Parker.)


19 posted on 08/16/2007 10:04:23 AM PDT by Revolting cat! (We all need someone we can bleed on...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lowbridge

I would think that one “braves” something when he has no choice.


20 posted on 08/16/2007 10:06:06 AM PDT by synbad600
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-62 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson