How Graceland Celebrates the King’s Birthday

RISMEDIA, Jan. 7, 2008-While Tuesday, January 8 is Elvis Presley’s true birth date, Graceland celebrated “the King” over the weekend with festivities of all sorts.

Presley is best known as an American singer, musician and actor-often referred to as “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, or simply “The King.”

Presley began his career as one of the first performers of rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat. He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks including “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.” Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop. To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame.

Various activities are planned over a four-day period at Graceland Mansion in Memphis to celebrate Elvis Presley’s birthday. Some of the memorable activities include:

The Elvis Presley Birthday Pops
Taking place on Saturday at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, The Memphis Symphony Orchestra presented a concert of Elvis’ music performed from the original music charts from Elvis’ concert tours. The Terry Mike Jeffrey Band performed as the rhythm section. Lead vocals were performed by Terry Mike Jeffrey. Special guest stars included members of Elvis’ original TCB Band: James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Ronnie Tutt.

On Sunday, the Graceland Mansion opened its door to the Elvis Insiders Reception & Graceland Evening Tour. An “Elvis Insiders” evening tour of Graceland Mansion was given in its holiday splendor, along with a reception across the street in Graceland Plaza, which includes Elvis’ airplanes, the “Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access” display in the Sincerely Elvis Exhibit and The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. There were appearances by Elvis’ friends and associates Larry Geller, Cynthia Pepper and members of the TCB Band. Special Elvis exhibits from the Graceland Archives were on display inside the residential area of the mansion.

Today, Monday January 7, is the invitation-only, Elvis Fan Club President’s Event where Elvis Fan Club Presidents from around the world with gather to speak either EPE representatives and exchange ideas.

Tomorrow, the festivities will conclude with Elvis Presley Day Ceremony at Graceleand, hosted for the first time by Priscilla Presley, along with Graceland/EPE officials, will feature a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by City of Memphis and Shelby County officials.