MEMPHIS – It has been 41 years since Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, died, but events at his home at Graceland draw bigger crowds each year.
Elvis died Aug. 16, 1977. Ironically, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin died today. The King and the Queen both passed on the same day. Both are Grammy Award winners and members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Like a pilgrimage, thousands of fans, new and old, flock to the tourist site on Elvis Presley Boulevard. But Elvis Week, the week commemorating his death, draws massive crowds to tour the home and the grounds. There are Elvis tribute contests, performers, an Elvis auction and this year a special appearance by Elvis’ only child, daughter Lisa Marie.
Crowds also gather at Elvis’ birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi to tour the home and take part in special events and performances.
Graceland estimates Presley has sold more than one billion albums worldwide.
Elvis had 149 songs appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top 10, and 18 went to number one. Elvis had 90 records reached the charts, with 10 of them reaching number one. He was the first person inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Country Music Hall of Fame and The Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
