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Thursday, February 20, 2014

Fans Of All Ages Travel From Far Away For Annual Elvis Tribute

By Jerri Perry


The public could see an elvis tribute carried out in a variety of ways. Grandmothers who grew up listening to Heartbreak Hotel are turning their grandbabies into a third generation of Elvis fans. Women relate fond memories of attending his concerts. Memorabilia is still big business.

The King was primarily categorized as a rock star. The truth is, he did quite a bit of country songs and loved gospel music. In fact, he had Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings.

Grammy number one was given to him for Top Sacred Performance in 1967. His second was awarded in 1972 for the Top Inspirational Performance. Another Grammy was awarded to Presley in 1974 for the Top Inspirational Song.

Long after his death, he was awarded a Grammy posthumously. This was in 1993 in commemoration of his double-sided hit recording of Hound Dog and Dont Be Cruel. Among his many accolades, perhaps the annual candlelight ceremony on the anniversary of his passing remains the most important.

This annual commemoration takes place on August 16 to honor the man who died at the age of 42. Fans in that line are from Japan, Germany and locations all over the world as well as in the US. Hotels and restaurants in Memphis are filled to overflowing with men in white jumpsuits and blue suede shoes.

Look alike contests are held to judge impersonators for their singing, dancing and general Presley look. For the most talented of these, there are jobs as singers in clubs and stage shows. They are hired to sing at private parties and deliver congratulatory musical messages.

One new show is called From Graceland to the Promised Land and two acts are touring in it. They are a gospel group and one single performer from Australia. Audiences love to listen to the music and also hear about the history of Presleys gospel music background in addition to the rock music he performed.

There are numerous contests for musicians who honor his memory. Each year various titles are given including a Spirit of Elvis award presented annually. They imitate to perfection, the voice, the smile and the dance moves that were so scandalous in the fifties and sixties.

There is an entire week of shows and festivities in Memphis honoring his memory that is held surrounding the date of his death. You can see the King on every street during this week. There are stage shows, contests and parties to celebrate. Crowds of men of all ages appear in white jumpsuits embellished with rhinestones.

Fans collect stuffed hound dogs and purchase memorabilia of all kinds. There are earrings made to look like records, t-shirts bearing his face and telephones made to look like pink Cadillac cars. People eat peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

Other elvis tribute shows include Elvis Lives, which has a regular tour schedule and a Festival held in Europe. The crowds of fans that visit Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, are an ongoing tribute to his unsurpassed talent and popularity. His impact on the world is such that he will be remembered and honored a thousand years from now.




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