Fans Flocking To Graceland For "Elvis Week"

Above, Graceland.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Fans of Elvis Presley are flocking into Memphis, Tennessee for the "Elvis Week" celebrations commemorating the 35th anniversary of the "King of Rock 'n Roll's" death.

Japan Today posted:

MEMPHIS, Tenn —Fans of Elvis Presley are flocking to his Graceland estate for Thursday’s 35th anniversary of his death, their enthusiasm for the king of rock ‘n’ roll undiminished by the years. 

Organizers of the annual Elvis Week expect this year’s edition—which shifted into high gear on Tuesday—to be the largest ever, with Presley’s widow Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie Presley participating. 

“Elvis is fan-driven,” Joe Guercio, Presley’s musical director from 1970 until the star’s death at the age of 42, told AFP, “and there are not a lot of people (in show business) who are fan-driven.” 

Actually nine days long, Elvis Week got off the ground in Memphis last Friday, centered around a 1,200-seat air conditioned tent across the street from Presley’s Graceland home and next to the preserved remains of his private jet.

"Preserved remains" of Elvis's jet?!  Okay.  Interesting terminology.  Below, is my photograph of the "preserved remains" that I took in 2001.

I visited Graceland in 2001 with my mom and daughter along with my great-aunt and uncle.  

Above, Elvis's grave.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Before one tours Graceland, visitors have to go to the tour shuttle station across the street from the mansion to board the shuttle tram/bus that will take them into the mansion grounds.  Before boarding, a photograph is taken of all visitors.  When they return from their Graceland tour, souvenirs with the photograph are ready for pick-up (with a nominal charge that visitors are, more or less, willing to pay). Ours is below.

Above, Armand, Amber and Mary Vaquer.  

To read the full article, go here.