2/07/2014

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.

Although the King is generally known as a rock and roll singer, gospel music was his first love. There are complete collections featuring the best of his gospel music. He won three 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.

Impersonators acknowledge his greatness by entering look-alike contests in which their appearances and voices are judged. The most talented make a living singing in clubs and on stages. There are shows put on in Branson Missouri, Las Vegas, Memphis Tennessee and other locations from one side of the US to the other.

Two music groups are collaborating on a tribute show called From Graceland to the Promised Land. One group sings gospel music and the other is an international tribute singer born in Australia. They perform for audiences who want to learn the history of the Kings gospel music and the traditional songs he sang.

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.

Festivities in Memphis are attended by fans from all over during the week surrounding his passing. Men in white jumpsuits with eagles on the back and blue suede shoes proliferate in the city. Fans enjoy stage shows and concerts.

There have been female Presley impersonators, child impersonators and imitators from Japan, Malaysia and all the European countries. Souvenirs fly off the shelves in the gift shops in Memphis and peanut butter and banana sandwiches are sold in every restaurant in town including the relatively new Heartbreak Hotel.

Elvis Lives is an elvis tribute show that has a schedule to tour many cities. A festival takes place in Europe. Graceland is one of the most frequented tourist locations. He purchased the mansion for his mother and it served as his residence until his passing. His talent is revered and his popularity unparalleled. A thousand years from now, he will continue to be remembered.




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