Everlasting Elvis: Fans, tribute artists gather to honour icon

Thousands of Elvis Presley fans have descended on Memphis, Tenn.,this week to celebrate the life of the iconic singer and, on Thursday, to mark the 30th anniversary of his death.

Each year, fans queue for a candlelight vigil at his former home Graceland and partake in a solemn procession past the singer's grave in a small garden on the sprawling estate.

Officials from Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages Graceland, anticipated a particularly large crowd for this year's vigil, which began Wednesday night, despite the serious heat wave that has enveloped the region. In 2002, the 25th anniversary of Presley's death, organizers estimated that more than 30,000 fans gathered for the vigil.

Thousands braved temperatures topping 40 C, with some queuing for more thanfive hours on the Graceland driveway alone, to take part inthe vigilleading up to Thursday's anniversary.

The heat also contributed to the death of a 67-year-old fan from New Jersey, authorities said. The woman was found Wednesday afternoon inside a trailer at the Graceland campground.

Presley, who died at Graceland on Aug. 16, 1977, has remained a musical icon, with many giving credit to the efforts of his ex-wife Priscilla Presley, who helped open Graceland to the public as a sort of museum and pushed to license the pioneering rock 'n' roller's name and image.

For instance, the world renowned Cirque du Soleil has been working on an Elvis-themed permanent show to join its many others in Las Vegas.

As well, Presley was recently edged out of the top spot in Forbes's top-earning dead celebrity list. The King, who earned $42 million US in 2006 and had topped the list since its inception, is now behind grunge icon Kurt Cobain, whoearned $50 million.

Special concert planned

Memphis has spent the past week hosting Presley-related events. Aside from an Elvis conference, highlights include a special concert featuring his former backup singers and band who will perform alongside video footage of the King, and a massive competition of international Elvis tribute artists.

After years of resistance to the "Elvis impersonator" phenomenon, Graceland will also host the finale of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on Friday.

Jay Zanier of Guelph, Ont., is among the top 10 finalists vying for the 2007 title.

"I can't remember when I started listening to Elvis," Zanier told CBC News from Memphis on Thursday morning.

"I listen to Elvis basically every day. That's why I'm here right now. I still listen to Elvis. I just enjoy it. There's no explanation. If you're a true Elvis fan, there is no explanation."

Zanier also said he was excited about the next round of competition, "because the people who I'm competing against are the elite. It's an honour for me to be a part of them."

Zanier's rivals include sevenU.S. Elvis tribute artists as well as one from the U.K. and another from Norway. He has been assigned the tunes Just Pretend and Hurt, which he called one of his favourite Presley songs.

New Presley music video

Lisa Marie Presley, who has followed in her father's footsteps as a singer, and the AOL website Spinner.com have also announceda remixed version of 1960's In the Ghetto, a duet featuring father and daughter singing the famous Elvis tune written by Mac Davis.

Timed for release during the 30th-anniversary celebrations, the reworked song's music video will be posted online Friday along with an interview with Lisa Marie Presley, 39.

"We had two hours to lay down my vocals," she said about the remixed track.

Presley admitted she cried when a rough version of their combined voices was first played back for her the following morning.

"I've never cried when I've done anything," she said, "but I just lost it when I heard it."

Proceeds from the new song and video will be earmarked to groups helping build temporary housing for the homeless in New Orleans, Presley said.