Elvis has left the building. Or has he? Every true American has heard that phrase before. Long live the King! The King of Rock 'n' Roll, that is.
Since his death on Aug. 16, 1977 at his Graceland home in Tennessee, the King of Rock 'n Roll has never lost an inch of fame and popularity. Fanatic fans and followers of Elvis will not let his legend die. One such web site believes that Elvis lives. On the web, anyway.
A sign reading "Elvis never left our building" shows the level of devotion to the King posted on one of the pages of a web site designed and kept by women at girlsguidetoelvis.com. The web site's hot pink lettering and girly touch might scare away the boys, although the site welcomes them too. This site comes complete with a link to order the book, A Girls Guide to Elvis, online surveys, message boards, pictures, information about Elvis and his family members, and a myriad of links to other sites.
By simply entering the name "Elvis" into an Internet search engine, you can come across and endless list of related links. Many fans have created their own web sites, some of them a little bit strange, such as one I came across called the "Elvis Grotto," which had a shrine of Elvis collectibles.
The best web site that I came across is www.elvis.com, where you can find just about all you ever wanted to know about Elvis. There is information about his life and accomplishments, information about Graceland tours and weddings, his Memphis restaurant, downloads, collectibles, e-letters, etc. You can take a virtual tour of Graceland right online by clicking under the Graceland tours link. You can also view a live shot of Graceland on the GracelandCam.
Browsing through other parts of the site in wonderment, I discovered that there is an Elvis Collectors Club where you can join by ordering the starter's kit for just $29.95. You can chat with other Elvis fans on the Message Board by becoming a member and signing up with a user name and password. You can search the fan club relations and join a club. You can also shop for all sorts of Elvis memorabilia from wallpaper to cookie jars.
Each year in August, Elvis fans flock to Memphis, Tenn. for Elvis Week, a week dedicated to the King of Rock 'n' Roll. It is a time of magic and memories for fans and followers of the rock legend. It is a full week of fun and activities such as music, sports, and dancing, and social and charitable events.
If you're into Elvis, they say that Elvis Week is for you. This year's dates are Aug. 9 through Aug. 17. VigilCast 2003, the official webcast of Elvis Week 2003 will be presented Aug. 15. You can view celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes video from Elvis Week, no matter if you live in Tempe or Fuji, Japan.
You can view last year's VigilCast 2002. It's really quite entertaining since a storm erupted at last year's VigilCast causing it to start about half an hour later than originally scheduled. The VigilCast was broadcasted right on the grounds of Graceland where tens of thousands of fans gathered around with candles. Fans proceeded through the gates of Graceland for the Celebration of Life Parade with fireworks exploding in the sky celebrating many of Elvis's songs and career.
Last year's VigilCast celebrated Elvis's 25th anniversary of his passing. The camera later follows the procession of people flowing into the Meditation Garden, where Elvis was laid to rest. The Eternal Flame just above Elvis's gravestone gets lighted every year while fans look on.
Each year there is also an Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration to celebrate the anniversary of Elvis' Birthday Jan. 8. The birthday celebration has already taken place for 2003, but next year's celebration will take place Jan. 8 through Jan. 11.
One thing that I found to be extremely important to remember is the fact that Elvis in his lifetime was quite the philanthropist. According to his daughter Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis was constantly giving money away to charities and benefit concerts during his life. Presley Place is a traditional housing program designed to help homeless families break the cycle of poverty.
There is also an Elvis Presley Endowed Scholarship Fund, a scholarship for music, film, television or theater-hungry students hoping to attend the University of Memphis and striving for a similar career as Elvis' own. Donations can be made at the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
I admit that I have never been to Memphis, Tenn., nor visited the pearly gates of Graceland, but definitely intend to in the near future. I have long since fallen for the ballads of the late, great "Elvis Pelvis" ever since my dad got me started with Elvis when I was a wee little thing singing "Hunk-a, hunk-a burning love!" and trying to bend my knees and shake them like Elvis. Some of my personal favorites are "Love Me Tender," "Jailhouse Rock," "Houndog," "All Shook Up," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Viva, Las Vegas," "Suspicious Minds," and the list goes on.
If you have some free time this summer, I advise you to go and stay at the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis and bask in the magic and mystery of the Graceland mansion tour. Or you might whet your whistle at Elvis Presley's Memphis Restaurant where you can sample things off the menu his mama used to make. If that's all right with your mama, it's okay with Elvis' mama. If you're a die hard Elvis nut who has seen every one of his movies and memorized all the words to every song, then attend Elvis Week 2003, and please, don't be cruel, and send me a postcard.
Thank you, Thank you very much!
Click here to test your Elvis knowledge.
Stephanie Anderson is a reporter for the Web Devil. Reach her at stephanie.j.anderson@asu.edu.
