The Memory of Elvis Presley Lives On
Since his expiry , the fans ' desire to get faithful to Elvis is gratified through visiting Graceland , where the events of his personal life unfolded . The echoes of Elvis ' past times linger in the way and Radclyffe Hall of his private retreat .
On the day of remembrance of Elvis ' death , thousands of fans brave the sweltering August heat in Memphis to remember their idol . They have organized a week of tributes and memorials that includes visiting Graceland , Sun Records , and other Presley haunts . The workweek culminates in a candlelight ceremony .
On the eventide of August 15 , buff gather in front of the Music Gate . They whistle some of Elvis ' song and swop Elvis write up . At 11:00 p.m. , two or more Graceland employees take the air down to the logic gate with a blowlamp that has been lighted from the eternal fire .
As the Music Gate swings overt , the lover , with their lighted candle , climb silently and reverently up the James Jerome Hill behind the house , where they walk individual Indian file past the gravesite . The procession often takes as long as six hours to go along through the Meditation Garden . It is not only a gesture of respect for Elvis and what he represents , but also it ’s validation that Elvis ' fan are as close after his end as they were during his lifetime .
The almost continuous release of biographical information keep open Elvis ' name in the word and fuels the phenomenon . Professional writers and assimilator have published rule book about Elvis . careen - music historiographer Dave Marsh ’s eloquent and insightfulElvis , published in 1981 , centralize on the vocalist ’s contributions to popular euphony and refinement . Peter Guralnick , a noted medicine historian , pen two perceptive life history titledLast Train to Memphis : The Rise of Elvis PresleyandCareless Love : The Unmaking of Elvis .
Members of the Memphis Mafia also publish books about Elvis . Jerry Hopkins wroteElvis : The Final Years , and Marty and Patsy Lacker cooperate onElvis : portraiture of a Friend . Both Christian Bible confirm the stories about Elvis ' drug use and destructive lifestyle refer in the controversialElvis : What Happened?by Red and Sonny West .
Subsequent life history by member of Elvis ' kinsperson acknowledged his bad side but most often balance these floor with anecdote about his generousness . The most expect biography was Priscilla Beaulieu Presley ’s account of her kinship with Elvis , titledElvis and Me . Published in 1985 , the book offers no revelations about his career but does allow some much - needed brainstorm into his reclusive lifestyle during the 1960s .
The Touch of Two Kingsby Elvis ' stepbrother Rick Stanley , who is now a diplomatic minister , recounts Stanley ’s experiences with his famous relative . loony toons : We hump You Tenderby Elvis ' stepmother Dee Stanley is a compassionate look at his ups and downs during the 1960s and 1970s .
In 1987 , to mark the tenth anniversary of Elvis ' decease , a revaluation of his musical contributions began to appear in the popular crush . After years of electronegative promotion , the career of Elvis Presley was lastly being reevaluate . This admiration was short - experience , however , because rumors come on that Elvis was still active , undermining any credible judgement of his career .
Initially , the rumors that Elvis Presley had faked his own death serve to disgrace his standing as an authoritative cultural build . Fueled by Gail Brewer - Giorgio ’s ego - published volume , The Most Incredible Elvis Presley Story Ever differentiate , the " Elvis is alive " hearsay intensify in 1988 with reported sightings of Elvis in loyal - food eatery in Michigan . Giorgio ’s playscript was retitledIs Elvis Alive?to take advantage of the media attention beleaguer the current upsurge of interest in Elvis . Included with each Holy Writ was an audiocassette of Elvis ' voice discussing event that occurred after he go . Later an Elvis soundalike come forrad , asserting that he had made the recording for a undertaking that never materialized , a title Giorgio denied .
at last , the authenticity of the tape count very little , because the rumors and the way they were handled in the press added another dimension to the Elvis Presley phenomenon . The frequency of book , newspaper and tabloid clause , and programs on radio and television indicated that many people – whether or not they believed the rumor – were concerned in preserve Elvis Presley " awake . "
Bumper sticker that sentimentally declare , " Elvis lives in my heart , " were replaced with the more emphatic " Elvis Lives . " But it was not the historical Elvis Presley who was resurrected – it was Elvis the image of American popular culture .
The " Elvis is alive " history and the massive amount of money of promotion that fence their circulation helped refigure the diachronic Elvis into an American folk hero endowed with as much symbolic import as Davy Crockett or Wyatt Earp . As an icon , Elvis Presley can evoke any number of musical theme , including rebellion , success , inordinateness , and the halo and pitfalls of renown . As a folk hero , he inspires the tattle and retelling of anecdotes and story that are exaggerated and manipulate to illustrate any of these ideas .
In the years since his last , Elvis Presley has been highly honored and crisply criticized . At time a powerful symbolic representation of revolution and at other time a interior put-on , through it all he has remained the King of Rock ' n ' curlicue . His crown is intact , only slightly maculate by the critique , exploitation , and ballyhoo . It is a fitting title because it embrace the breadth of an extraordinary career and because it reminds us of the music – his true bequest to American culture .
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Susan Dollholds a PhD in wireless , television and film discipline from Northwestern University . She is an teacher of movie studies at Oakton Community College and a author of film and popular culture . A try - after expert on the whole shebang and liveliness of Elvis Presley , Susan has appear onThe Joan Rivers Showand National Public Radio to discuss the King and other issue related to popular cinema . She is the author of numerous books on popular culture , notablyElvis : A Tribute to His Life , The Films of Elvis Presley , Marilyn : Her Life and Legend , Elvis : Rock ' n ' Roll Legend , Best of Elvis , Understanding Elvis , Elvis : Forever in the Groove , Elvis : American Idol , andFlorida on Film .
