Elvis Presley’s 34th commemoration held at Graceland

Jerry Leiber, Elvis Presley’s hits lyricist, has died

[googlead tip=”vertical_mic” aliniat=”drapta”] The previous week (from August 9 through August 16) was “Elvis Week” 2011, anevent that commemorates Elvis Presley’s death on August 16, 1977, at 42.[googlead tip=”lista_mica” aliniat=”dreapta”]

This annual celebration has begun in 1982 when Graceland estate has been opened to visitors. Since then hundreds thousands of persons have travelled there.

Thousands of people went to Memphis on Monday to attend a midnight candlelight vigil, the keystone of “Elvis Week”, at Graceland.

About 20,000 fans from all over the world (including England, Germany, Japan) flocked together at Elvis Presley‘s home. They processed through the familiy cemetery. At the meditation garden, they kneeled, or quietly sang, they left flowers or others tributes on the King’s graveyard. “The Twelfth of Never” (by Johnny Mathis), was the theme song for this year, signifying the unceasing love for the King of Rock and Roll.

Kevin Kern read a message from Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis Presley‘s daughter:

“Dear Friends, thank you so much for being here and continuing to honor the legacy of my father. Your ongoing love and support mean very much to me and my family. My father always said he had the best fans in the world, and he was right. The fact that you are here to celebrate his life 34 years after his passing is a testament to that. I hope you’ve enjoyed our new exhibits at Graceland and I look forward to being involved personally with a very special exhibit called ‘Elvis Through His Daughter’s Eyes’ opening in the Spring of next year. Before we know it, it will be Elvis Week 2012, which as you all know as the 35th anniversary will be special time. I look forward to being there with you, my mother and entire family.

Thank you all and I’ll see you next August.”

Fifty five years passed since the first two Elvis Presley‘s albums were released.[googlead tip=”patrat_mic” aliniat=”dreapta”]

Elvis Presley in Las Vegas 1971

The music producer Ernst Jorgensen launched a five-CD RCA/Legacy box set “Young Man With the Big Beat” on Monday at Graceland to celebrate the King’s breakout year. The CDs feature interviews, remastered rare live recordings, unpublished live songs, recording-session outtakes.

In 1956 Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right, Mama”  (1946 blues number, Arthur Crudup’s “That’s All Right”, turned later into a professional platter) set the teen-agers on fire. “Heartbreak Hotel “, “Blue Suede Shoes”, “I Forgot to Remember to Forget” were some of the song which Elvis interpretation made to reach the top of audience.”Bossa Nova Baby” hit the top in 1963.

“In the Ghetto”, issued in 1969, reached number three on the pop chart. Another hit singles were “Suspicious Minds”, “Don’t Cry Daddy”, “Kentucky Rain”.

In 1970, “The Wonder of You” was released and it was a number one in UK and on top in US.

Unfortunately,  in his late years Elvis has suffered from glaucoma, high blood pressure, liver damage, and an enlarged colon, a possibly caused, and aggravated by barbiturates and Demerol addiction.

On August 16, 1977 he was found unconscious on his bathroom floor. Elvis Presley was officially pronounced dead at 3:30 pm at Baptist Memorial Hospital.