On 16 August 1977, the world was shocked at the news that the singer who had shaped an era, was dead at the age of 42. The scenes which followed his passing, with thousands of fans sobbing, crying, and even fainting, were strangely reminiscent of the days that he first gyrated his hips, sang his songs, and changed the world of music forever.
Elvis has been called the greatest cultural force of the 20th century. At a time when teenagers were known as the silent generation, he gave them an identity and a power they had never known before.
Even though his star faded in his later years, and his ex-wife Priscilla had revealed some haunting things about the icon, over 4000 letters had continued to arrive at Graceland every day. Fans still loved him, even in death.
Updated on February 22nd, 2023 by Abigail Thomas: Elvis Presley, despite having passed away over 45 years ago, is still one of the most popular and successful musicians. His music and presence has lived on through generations. In 2022, a musical biopic about Presley's life and relationship with manager Colonel Tom Parker was released. The film was well received by audiences and critics. Starring Austin Butler and Tom Hanks, Elvis is nominated for several Oscar Awards in 2023. One film is not enough, because a new movie called Priscilla is currently in the works. The upcoming film will focus more on Elvis Presley's wife Priscilla and their relationship. Priscilla will star Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi.
Fans Grieved Elvis' Passing En Masse
Across the world, radio stations played only Elvis songs, and memorial services took place in churches packed to capacity. Record stores sold out of anything Elvis. And they came in their thousands to pay tribute to their icon.
Since the news had broken, crowds had descended on Memphis in huge numbers, to keep vigil at the gates of the late singer’s home, Graceland. The crowds were so massive that President Carter had to order extra troops to help maintain order.
Everywhere there were people selling T-shirts, pennants, and other memorabilia to emotional fans who wanted to remember the man they had given their hearts to when he first appeared in 1956. Even when a car drove into the crowd, killing two young women, they still didn’t disperse.
30 000 Fans viewed Elvis's body, which lay in state in the foyer of Graceland.
Thousands Of Fans Lined The Streets For Elvis' Funeral
On the day of the funeral, the procession route along Elvis Presley Boulevard was lined by more than 80,000 mourners who had made the trip to see Elvis’s final journey.
The burial procession was headed by a white hearse, which carried the coffin. Seventeen white limousines followed behind, carrying those closest to Elvis. All along the route, fans broke through the barriers, desperate to get closer to the star, until finally, the procession came to Forest Hill Cemetery.
There, pallbearers carried the coffin into the mausoleum for a private ceremony. That didn’t stop fans trying to see what was happening. Branches of trees at the church snapped as fans climbed up, trying to get a view.
The star was laid to rest beside his beloved mother, Gladys. Knowing that people would want to visit the icon’s grave, Elvis’s father had made a concession: Visitors would always be able to see his tomb through a locked wrought iron door.
In the days following the funeral, Memphis slowly emptied. Even the thousands of flower bouquets outside the cemetery had gone. Elvis’s father Vernon had told fans to take them as mementos of the sad occasion.
Grave Robbers Attempted To Steal Elvis' Body
Just nine days later, three men were arrested for attempting to remove Elvis’s body from his resting place. They had been carrying dynamite, apparently planning to blast into the mausoleum.
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However, investigators questioned why the men carried such a small amount of explosives with them, certainly not enough to blast through the mausoleum. They also carried none of the tools they would need to gain access.
The three claimed they were offered $40,000 each by a mystery person, who intended to demand $10 million from the family for the return of the singer's body.
Presley's horrified family demanded that Elvis's body be moved to Graceland, where they had initially wanted him to be buried, but couldn't as the grounds were not zoned for a burial.
On September 28, legal permission was given to relocate the coffin to Graceland.
Was Elvis' Father To Blame For The Grave Robbing Incident?
However, two decades later, one of the grave robbers revealed what he said was the truth. Ronnie Adkins told how a plot had been arranged by a sheriff, apparently working for Elvis’s father.
The incident was planned to convince authorities that Elvis’s grave needed more security, something which could be provided at the late star's home.
Whether true or not, today, there are six graves at Graceland. Elvis is buried alongside his parents Vernon and Gladys, and his grandmother Minnie Mae. There is also a smaller memorial stone for Elvis’s twin brother Jessie, who died at birth.
In 2020, the grandson Elvis never knew, was buried alongside the family. Benjamin Keough, the 27-year-old son of Lisa Marie Presley, died in a suicide in Calabasas, California
Many fans of The King make a pilgrimage to his final resting place. Graceland receives more than 600,000 visitors from around the world each year, making it one of the top attractions in the city and one of the most-visited private homes in the world. Today, Elvis's estate is worth more than $100 million.
Every August 15 at 8:30 pm.a Candlelight Vigil takes place, where guests carry candles in a procession up the driveway to the Meditation Garden and past Elvis’ grave. There is no charge, and no reservations are required for the procession, which usually continues until the early morning of August 16, the date of Elvis’ death.
For those who loved Elvis, he's in the perfect place.