Elvis Presley Graceland Vigil: Over 35,000 Fans Arrive
The 36th annual candlelight vigil in memory of Elvis Presley was held on Thursday in Graceland.
Thousands of fans arrived at the late rock star's former home in Memphis, Tennessee to celebrate the life and music of the famed singer. The mood was somber as fans passed through the home's Meditation Garden with lit candles. The garden is the location of Presley's grave and also is the spot where his mother, father and grandmother are buried.
A large number of wreaths, flowers, and other memorabilia were laid out as people passed through the site. Pictures of the singer surrounded the grave while soft music played in the background. Many founds walked with bowed heads, some shedding tears over the singer's tragic death.
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The singer died on August 16th, 1972 at the age of 42. For years, questions surrounding the singer's death have arisen. During the autopsy, at least 14 drugs were found in Presley's system, many of which were in excessive quantity. It was later argued that the singer's death may not have been a result of drug over dose with some theories suggesting the he instead suffered from a heart attack.
"There is nothing in any of the data that supports a death from drugs. In fact, everything points to a sudden, violent heart attack."[228] Whether or not combined drug intoxication was in fact the cause, there is little doubt that polypharmacy contributed significantly to Presley's premature death," Coroner Dr. Joseph Davis declared in 1994 after a series of controversies were raised over the number of drugs the singer had been prescribed.
"Elvis Week" is celebrated every year in Memphis, where fans of his music and movies unite to celebrate. Police estimated this year that over 35,000 people were expected to attend the vigil according to Billboard. Fans began lining up for the event at least 12 hours before it began.
