James Bone in Memphis
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A record number of British fans and pompadoured impersonators are on a pilgrimage to Graceland to commemorate the 30th anniversary today of the death of Elvis Presley.
About 1,200 Elvis aficionados have flown across the Atlantic to join tens of thousands of fans from around the world in paying tribute to “the King” despite concerns about the “Disney-fication” of the music legend’s legacy.
For one Merseyside couple, the anniversary is a dream come true. Tommy Aindon and Susan Dane of Southport, who met at an Elvis convention in Burnley 12 years ago, plan to commemorate the occasion by getting married during the Elvis Week festivities in Memphis, Tennessee. “I want to go back to England and say I was married with Elvis,” Ms Dane, 49, said. “In a strange way, it was Elvis who brought us together.”
The pair have booked the chapel in the grounds of Presley’s Graceland estate for their wedding on Saturday and expect hundreds of British Elvis fans to attend. Mr Aindon, 40, an engineer, said: “Everyone’s asking, ‘Can I come?’ It only holds 350 people. It’s ‘first come, first served’.”
Thousands of fans from as far afield as New Zealand, France and Japan gathered at Graceland last night for a candlelit vigil to mark three decades since Elvis “left the building” for good on August 16, 1977, at the age of 42.
But this year’s Elvis Week has been overshadowed by fears that the new owner of his estate plans to “Disney-fy” Elvis. Robert Sillerman, an entertainment mogul, paid $100 million (£50 million) for 85 per cent of Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2005, leaving Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie, with only 15 per cent. Mr Sillerman, chief executive of CKX, also owns the rights to the name of Muhammad Ali, the former boxing champion, and the American Idol TV show.
He intends to spend $250 million to renovate Graceland and replace the nearby Heartbreak Hotel, creating a new visitor centre and interactive museum in place of the chaotic plaza that lies across the street from Elvis’s modest home, which has had attendances dip to about 600,000 a year.
His plans also call for an Elvis-themed version of the Cirque du Soleil show in Las Vegas and Elvis hotels and casinos around the world.
After years of scorn, Elvis’s estate is also moving into the Elvis subculture. Graceland has organised its first official Elvis Tribute Artist contest to rival the unofficial Images of the King competition. The ten finalists for the official Ultimate Elvis, to be decided tomorrow, include Paul Larcombe from Blackpool, Lancashire.
The late Elvis is already raking in more money than he did at the height of his career, making him No 2 on Forbes magazine’s list of top-earning dead celebrities, with an annual income of $42 million, behind Kurt Cobain. But Mr Sillerman hopes to raise that to $150 million in ten years.
Fans are accustomed to the commercialism of Elvis commemorations and the estate’s aggressive attempts to guard the King’s legacy. “Going to Graceland used to be a wonderful experience. There were hundreds of merchants who could sell anything,” said Sid Shaw, the owner of the Elvisly Yours memorabilia shop in Baker Street, London, who won a long legal battle with the estate for the right to market Elvis souvenirs in Britain and now stays at home during Elvis Week. “Now it’s just pure commercialism. The love is all gone. It’s all about money money, money. Elvis was all about giving, and it’s all about taking.”
The change of ownership has heightened the fears of even the most loyal of Elvis fans. Darrel Jones, a retired machinist from Langley, West Midlands, is making his fourth trip to Graceland. “Anyone who has eyes to see can tell that the man who owns Elvis Presley Enterprises is not an Elvis fan. He is only interested in how much money he can make. But the fans know that. You have just got to say, ‘I am here for Elvis and I am here for a good time’,” he said.
At a meeting with fans, Priscilla Presley, the singer’s former wife, defended the changes. “There has been a lot of concern about our partnership with CKX. I just want to reassure everyone it’s going to be fine. We always wanted to grow. We wanted to reach more people. That is something Elvis wanted to do,” she said. “It’s not going to be Disneyland. There are not going to be rides. It’s about growing.”
The King's Palace
— Elvis moved into Graceland with his parents in 1957. They painted it a glowing blue and gold. All three spent the rest of their lives there.
— Ongoing renovations and improvements to the property have seen it grow from 10,266 to 17,552 square feet (954 to 1,630 square metres). Elvis had it redecorated frequently and his parents added a chicken coop and vegetable patch.
— The number of rooms varied from 18 to 23, the King frequently remodelling his personal castle.
— The house contains a mixture of pre and post Presley decorations. The front room features a white marble fireplace and Louis XIV furniture, the Jungle Room includes an indoor waterfall.
— Elvis built a pink Alabama fieldstone wall around his 13.8acre (5.6hectare) estate crowned with wrought iron gates emblazoned with guitars.
Source: www.elvis.com.au

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I have always wanted to visit graceland as I love the king,but my x wife didn,t like elvis....As I am single and going to memphis I would like any advice on travel and cost thanks al.
allan lee skitt, wakefield, uk
He certainly was The King of his era and changed the voice of popular music, which one might postulate, ultimately led to a lot of the free expression we see in many aspects of society today.
Amongst his songs, my personal all-time favourite remains -
"Don't Step on my Blue Shade Shoes".
C Markus-Greene, Glasgow, Scotland
The real house was Audubon Drive. The infamous mansion was chosen by vernon presley the bad father of Mr. Elvis aaron Presley.
I will never judge to Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley by a some so insignificant like Graceland.
And how we knew that Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley chose all the decoration? Or was the choose of memphis maphia And Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley was the best man of all time.
Marcela Leal Olmedo, Villahermosa/Tabasco, Mexico
I'm 60. I took my kids to Graceland when it was a very small enterprise by the family. There's a beauty in small things. My father did business in Las Vegas in the 1950's so we were regular visitors when LV was just a town in the desert with a few neon lights. We all tried to prevent them from blowing up the Sands Hotel to make way for some monstrous eyesore when there was plenty of desert out there to build on. I think King Midas will build his dillusional palaces and find himself exactly like every other aging billionaire (Howard Marshall, Howard Hughes, Hearst) living with people he can't trust who control his life and his money. Some doddering old fool who's only fooling himself and is a big joke to the people he thinks love him. Would have been better if he learned to play the guitar and sing instead of going into the guitar business. I am lucky to have seen Graceland before this idiot ruins it because he can't see the intrinsic value. I'll never go back.
Shari, West Covina, CA
To the fellow who said they should dig Elvis up and put him on display: How can they? We all know that he is alive and well and living with Marilyn Monroe in a crashed B52 bomber, which is sometimes spotted on the moon or under Loch Ness. Another rumour is that he is living in the upstairs locked areas in Graceland but I don't buy that idea - it's just too unbelievable.
Mikko Takala, Drumnadrochit, Scotland
Is sad to said but in the vigil the cost was: one dead person. A black point to EPE and company.
I am very worry about this.
And only 75,000 against the 650,000 person that normally visit Graceland.
Elvis Aaron Presley was always a very worry person for the poorest and was the kindest.
Marcela, Villahermosa, Tabasco/ Mexico
Business is Taking Care of Elvis.
The tremendous amount of publicity generated by all the commercial enterprises marketing Elvis related artifacts ensure Elvis Presley's image is never out of the public eye.
His amazingly beautiful exciting and versatile voice ensures he will always be in the public ear too :-)
All we need now is the Elvis Presley International Airport, Memphis, to arrive at on our way to Graceland.
Maurice Colgan, Swords, Ireland
Natalie Wood once said about Elvis "He can sing, but he canât do much else."
Natalie, Ennis, Ireland
let the guy RiP , its a wonder ,the wonder of you .... they dont dig him up and have him on display
mike whaley, sheffield, england
Ladies: You are not Elvis fans that is obivous. I am a 62 year old male. I lost my wife a year ago in July to cancer. We both loved Elvis and saw him live 3 times. We visited Graceland 4 times. I do not recall anyone comparing Elvis to Jesus or God. I have read numerous stories of Elvis donating monies to many different charities Priscilla and Lisa have continued to do this. I seem to recall Lisa helping pack things for Katrina victims. Yes Elvis did make many mistakes in his life WHO HAS NOT? At my wife's funeral all Elvis gosple and hymns were played. If you have any doubt that Elvis was a religious person. Bag church some Sunday Put on gosple or hymns by Elvis. And lets us know if you don't feel God around you. You have a right to remember Graceland any way you want I agree it cost a few bucks. But worth every penny for the memories I have of seeing Elvis Live and visiting Graceland with my Wife. I truly believe Elvis fans will not allow Graceland to change.
David J Bolich, Lititz, PA
People might not want to admit it but Elvis was all about the money, sure he gave most of it awaybut he never disassociated himself from Col Tom Parker who was all about the money. Highest paid entertainer in hollywood ath the time. Elvis was all about the money.
Tom, Memphis, Tn
Mr. Elvis Aaron Presley do not need that his fans pay fot to see graceland. He is in the heaven with God. Gracelad was choosing by his vernon, his father and by andreas van kuij, aka col parker.
I hope that the hungry for mony from epe, mrs. beaulieu her daughter have been a failure.
Mr. Elvis Presley is with God he do not need mad visits to graceland or madland.
I hope that EPE will be a failure and Mr. Elvis Presley will be a success.
Marcela Leal Olmedo, Villahermosa, Tabasco/México
Imagine if l were to say to anyone that Jesus lives with me!! Most will say that l am a little mental. But say that to anyone that elvis lives with me and they'll say "yes, me too" !!! What a wacko world. elvis is dead and gone, long gone.!!! Although l thought he was a good singer, that is where it ends. Why dont people rely on the real living One!! What can elvis do for you? NOTHING. l am not just after what anyone can do for me, but l idolize my Saviour and Creator. lt is ok to remember him as a singer, and anything more than that is SICK & IDIOTIC. That is what happens when people have no purpose in life , they live in fantasyland. Think how much we can help the poor and needy if instead of spending money to make elvis like a god, they give it to the poor, homeless & hungry. l would not want to say where he is but l know that he lived a life full of mistakes, regrets, sins just like everyone else on this planet except JESUS. Worship a real God.
Virginia, Brisbane, Australia
I don't believe for one minute that Elvis would want this . It all comes down to the almighty dollar and mama gets what mama wants . It will wind up being another never land such a sad way to remember graceland .
Diane White, shelbyville, USA IL.