Elvis: The original ‘American Idol’

Earlier this year on the hit television show “American Idol,” a young, tanned Elvis Presley walked onto the stage and performed a roughly three-minute duet with Celine Dion.
The stunning performance, which left viewers across the world asking “How did they do that?” could be routine once Robert F.X. Sillerman is finished recreating Graceland. […]

Elvis tribute artists

The lip curls. The hips gyrate. The hands and arms aren’t just holding the microphone, but treating it like a prop.
Elvis Presley was dead before most of the contestants in the Tupelo Elvis Contest were born. To perform as their hero, they have to do like contestant Brandon Bennett. “I watch and listen to […]

Elvis and Earnhardt: Superstars align at Graceland

As NASCAR’s most recognizable and popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. has thousands of fans screaming his name every weekend.
His red-clad supporters strain and crowd for the chance to get an autograph, a handshake or even just some eye contact every time he’s at the racetrack.
It has given Earnhardt an insider’s view of […]

No easy answers on tragic ending: Drugs, deepening depression, heredity, failed relationships and creative dilemma share blame

For the thousands of visitors who’ll make the pilgrimage to Memphis this week to mark the 30th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, the next seven days will be filled with a mix of sightseeing and book-signings, concerts and celebratory events.
But for those who knew Presley best, like his longtime friend Jerry Schilling, […]

Elvis’ last sessions show hint of genius

One of the byproducts of Elvis Presley’s personal demise was the decline — both in quantity and quality — of his studio output during the latter years of his life.
Following the ‘68 Comeback Special on television, Presley achieved a kind of creative and commercial high-watermark with the 1969 sessions at American Sound Studio […]

A card-carrying ‘mafia’ member: Esposito met Presley in army, then became trusted friend

“I don’t know if I was Elvis’ best friend,” says “Diamond” Joe Esposito, “but he was definitely my best friend.”
The Chicago-born Esposito first met Presley in 1958, during their respective stints in the Army in West Germany. Esposito went to work for Elvis in 1960, and he rode shotgun for the next 17 […]

West still grieves at failure to save Elvis

Delbert “Sonny” West may be the most controversial and outspoken former member of the Memphis Mafia. As Elvis’ bodyguard and security chief, West was a trusted confidant of the King, accompanying him everywhere from concert halls to the inner sanctum of the White House.
West, his cousin Red West and Dave Hebler were fired […]

Sinatra poured the fuel; Elvis lit the fire

Girls in poodle skirts and bobby socks helped turn Frank Sinatra into the first singer who opened up a young audience for pop music in the 1940s. Screaming teenage girls were part of “Sinatra mania,” but a decade later Elvis Presley upped the ante.
“There was something about Elvis Presley that gave them a joy […]

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest - FINALE

The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts at the Memphis Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis. The finale of the first-ever official Elvis tribute artist contest. Finalists from qualifying rounds earlier in the week compete for the title of Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year. Attendees at the show will see the best Elvis Tribute […]

Elvis legacy caught in a trap?

When squirrels and rabbits began nibbling swaths into the flowery landscape of Elvis Presley’s former Palm Springs home, the owners asked themselves a simple question.
What would Elvis do?
The animal-friendly King of rock and roll kept a furry and feathery menagerie at Graceland, his Memphis estate. Ducks, chickens, dogs, chimpanzees, guinea pigs, donkeys, even peacocks all […]

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  • New Elvis Record

    The latest Elvis record is not the kind you download. If you were in Memphis, you knew you weren’t on Lonely Street at all those sold-out events. But Graceland spokesman Kevin Kern says the official attendance figure for the week was 75,000. Even in the sweltering heat, 55,000 took part in the candlelight vigil. “The […]

  • The King lives on as fans soak up tributes to their idol

    Elvis tribute artist Trent Carlini expertly brushed bronze-colored makeup on the face of fellow tribute artist Donny Edwards. “I started out with model cars, and now I’m doing Donny,” Carlini said, finally judging Edwards good to go as one of 24 contestants in the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.
    Carlini then expertly applied black eyeliner […]

  • Humes High School

    Elvis began his freshman year in September 1949 at Humes High School, now the site of Humes Middle School. He walked 10 blocks down Jackson every day to get to school from Lauderdale Courts.

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