Elvis Presley: 32nd Anniversary of Elvis' Death

by Jordan Yerman | August 17, 2009 at 11:12 am

769 views | 38 Recommendations | 16 comments

Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977- we're at the 32nd anniversary of Elvis' death. The passing of Michael Jackson, who is still yet to be buried, invokes echoes of the passing of Elvis Presley, another international megastar who died young, and whose musical legacy continues to this day, to the extent that some people believe that Elvis is still alive.

Originally, a fake death report stated that Elvis Presley died of cardiac arrhythmia (a vague term that just means that the subject's heart stopped beating), but it was later revealed that a drug overdose actually killed The King of Rock 'n' Roll.

The painkillers Morphine and Demerol.
Chloropheniramine, an antihistamine.
The tranquilizers Placidyl and Vailum.
Finally, four drugs were found in "significant" quantities: Codeine, an opiate, Ethinamate, largely prescribed at the time as a "sleeping pill," Quaaludes, and a barbituate, or depressant, that has never been identified.

It was just after 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 16, 1977. The book that Elvis had taken into the bathroom four hours earlier, "The Scientific Search for the Face of Jesus," lay opened at his feet. He was 42.

Also, Elvis was engaged to marry Ginger Alden, an actress and model.
The circumstances of Michael Jackson's death echoes that of Elvis Presley, as well, particularly their addictions to depressants.

But their deaths have an even eerier congruence. With their best days behind them, each planned a concert tour to redefine their legacies. Before getting the chance, however, they each died quietly in their gilded cages from an overdose of powerful prescription drugs.

Amongst the tributes was an concert by Elvis impersonators Elvis Shmelvis and Elvince, who were stuck in a UK traffic jam and decided to put on a show for their fellow stranded motorists.

Also see Best songs about Elvis not by Elvis

Did you know that Elvis Presley staged the world's first globally-broadcast live concert? Yes, indeed: Aloha from Hawaii. 1973.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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Paschen

at 15:13 on August 17th, 2009

The Modern cults of living Gods. We are still where the Ancient Greek where culturally and intellectually with our God or rather gods Cults.

Today we call them MJ, or EP and some times even Marilyn or Gehova, Jesus and Muhammad.

You seemed to have stopped evolving some 70,000 years ago, at least as Human beings and spiritually that is.

No offence meant here, but is no different then it was 6000 years ago, only the names and saints have changed as well as some of the structures.

I do not dislike their art, nor do I think they are responsible for all this.

The masses need their Gods and Saints or Super Heroes. Hercules has became David, then Super Man and now maybe James Bond...

Same for Aphrodite who became Maria, followed by Marilyn, Sophia, Madonna and what ever the latest Goddesses name may be now a days....

hidflect

at 19:20 on August 17th, 2009

I think it was Aristotle who said that the mental boundary for any communities number is around 10,000 (as I recall). When a community exceeds that number, it sub-divides. I remember checking out this theory when I noticed some government statistics in Australia on the sizes of populations in each suburb. Lo, it was true! Each suburb roughly divided alongside those numbers. If the suburb was larger in size, the household plots would be larger to compensate, keeping the numbers tracking within the 10,000 number. So we seem to be hard wired for some senses of society. As if there's nothing we can do about it. Maybe 70,000 years isn't long enough to evolve yet?

jazzyzazzy

at 15:26 on August 17th, 2009

I was waiting for a flight at heathrow airport when the news that Elvis had died came out. I recall being in tears. Elvis was a great singer and showman.

albertacowpoke

at 17:21 on August 17th, 2009

I grew up with Elvis as a kid and teenie bopper. I don't consider him God Like, but I certainly think he was a great entertainer. He is also one of the first that the the guts to make music that was a blend of African American and everyday country music. I was running on a track listening to the radio when I heard the news that August 16th.

Unlike Michael Jackson, he hid his addiction quite well.

Rory Cripps

at 17:52 on August 17th, 2009

ACP: Watched a few Elvis movies last night with my wife. In my opinion, Elvis will always be the king of American pop music. As you've indicated, he set so many precedents and paved the way for things to come. At one point, I was heavily involved in rock and roll and I saw a lot of miserable SOBs, with absolutely no class and very little talent, come and go. Elvis was a true talent, a gentleman, and a class-act in my opinion. He's greatly missed . . . .

Rory Cripps

at 18:03 on August 17th, 2009

HEAR! HEAR! As the Beach Boys sang (Do You Remember), "Elvis Presley is the king, he's the giant on the scene . . . ."

bhaskarroo

at 17:20 on August 17th, 2009

always had an interest in music, and used to watch Elvis movies when I was kinda young and going thru high school, so did not miss a chance to visit places in the US when I had a chance last year. It was a feeling of nostalgia I guess.

bhaskarroo has contributed a photo to this story.

sara star

at 18:11 on August 17th, 2009

Elvis is still alive!

albertacowpoke

at 19:02 on August 17th, 2009

Apparently Elvis was at the Halifax harbour tonight:)

rumana husain

at 18:39 on August 17th, 2009

didnt he sing "It wouldn't be the same without you"...!

Portraits By AH

at 18:46 on August 17th, 2009

I've always loved Elvis, so I decided to draw him. He'll live on even after we're gone!

Portraits By AH has contributed a photo to this story.

albertacowpoke

at 19:04 on August 17th, 2009

Great Job AH.

Portraits By AH

at 22:43 on August 17th, 2009

ty dear :)

158

at 20:45 on August 17th, 2009

i did not realize it was that long ago.

jakesylvester1

at 16:04 on September 6th, 2009

2009 photo from Wimpey's, a local restaurant

jakesylvester1 has contributed a photo to this story.

Dawood Mamedoff (not verified)

at 01:28 on November 11th, 2009

Elvis Presley's death can be put in one line with major tragedies in the history of the world..check tributes and quotes on Elvis Presley from famous peers: www.tributespaid.com/quotes-on/elvis-presley