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Deseret News
Deseret News archives: Rock ‘n’ roll star Elvis Presley died in 1977, but his legend lives on
By Chris Miller,
6 hours ago
The front page of the Deseret News on Aug. 17, 1977, announcing the death of entertainer Elvis Presley.
A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives.
For some rock ‘n’ roll fans, the day Elvis Presley died remains important, impactful, somber. On Aug. 16, 1977, Presley died at his Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee, at the age of 42.
Like Feb. 3, 1959 — the “day the music died” — when Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and others perished in a plane crash, or June 25, 2009 (Michael Jackson), or Dec. 18, 1980 (John Lennon), honoring your favorite performer seems natural and memorable.
For those that adore Elvis, keeping that connection alive remains a big deal. It’s a way to honor their star, reconnect to their music, to relive cherished memories. He was and is the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”
Through the years since his death, fans make trips to Graceland, dress up like the iconic entertainer at Halloween (is that young Elvis or old Elvis?) or make him part of their karaoke repertoire. His military service, his family and his challenges are well chronicled. This year’s Elvis Week will wrap up Friday with concerts and tributes in Memphis.
Lots of Utahns were devastated at his death and savor their connections with the entertainer. Presley performed in Utah several times (1971, 1974, 1977) and spent many of his later years in residency on the Las Vegas Strip. He starred in a string of movies.
And who can forget the “ Flying Elvises , Utah chapter” from “Honeymoon in Vegas”?
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Here is a collection of stories from Deseret News archives about Elvis, his ties to Utah and how his memory lives on:
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