From that day forward annual events are held in countries all over the world in celebration of his life, such is the deep love and adoration for Elvis Presley.
'Elvis Week' is a celebration held in Memphis, Tennessee every year since 1978, continuously growing in huge numbers. Literally thousands of loyal fans make the pilgrimage every year from all over the world. For the 30th anniversary of Elvis' death, in 2007, it was estimated that 75,000 loyal fans attended in Memphis alone.
Up to 10,000 Elvis tribute artists can be seen here in concerts around the city or performing free at the Entertainment Tent every evening of Elvis Week, with the main feature being the 'Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest'.
Competitions take place all over the world, where performers have the chance to earn their place in the semi final round held in Memphis during Elvis Week and have the opportunity to be crowned the No1 Elvis Tribute Artist for that year and receiving a cash prize for $20,000.
The 'Candlelit Vigil' is the focus point of Elvis Week, held at Graceland, starting on August 15. With candles in hand, fans gather at the gates of Graceland and have the opportunity to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite. The gates of Graceland stay open until every last person has participated in this memorable event, usually leading into the early hours of August 16, the anniversary of Elvis' death.
It is here you find the evidence of how strong the love for this incredible music legend lives on. Children and teenagers not yet born when Elvis was alive, show the same deep, raw emotion as the generation before them. It is these children that will continue this phenomenal tradition for years to come, and in doing so, passing it on to their own children.
There is no other artist that attracts this level of respect and affection like Elvis Presley does, and there probably never will be.
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