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Today marks 46 years since Elvis Presley died at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee when he was just 42.
It has since become an annual tradition to honour the King of Rock and Roll with a Candlelight vigil past his grave on the eve before in the Meditation Garden.
However, Elvis Week 2023 marked a first as his daughter Lisa Marie Presley’s final resting place was included for the first time.
The star’s only child died in January aged 54 and is now buried opposite her father and next to her son Benjamin Keough, who died in 2020 aged 27.
Before fans processed by with candles, Graceland Holdings Managing Partner Joel Weinshanker paid tribute to Lisa Marie and was visibly emotional.
Joel told Elvis fans present: “This is really a bittersweet night for myself and I’m sure for a lot of other people. Obviously, for many, many years y’all have been coming to visit Elvis and tell him what you think and how important he was. And today we really have to add Lisa to that. Lisa’s always been Elvis’ protector even when she was a small, small child. Until Elvis was up she was always in charge and making sure that nobody woke her dad up and everything was fine and good.
“From the moment that I met her, the only thing that was important to her was Graceland and her Dad’s legacy. And many of the things that you see now, I couldn’t have done without her. And many of the things that you’re going to see in the next five to 10 years at Graceland will be with her. In everything that she did, she was thinking about it, talking about it. If she didn’t think it was the right idea, we didn’t do it. When I had a clear indication of what Elvis wanted, I usually got that from Lisa.”
Joel added: “Obviously we’re always respectful here. Make sure you walk by Lisa as well, give her your love. She is most certainly and definitely, here I promise you that. I wish everybody a good night, be safe and do what you need to do, thank you.”
To watch Elvis Week 2023’s Candlelight vigil including the speeches click here.
