Elvis fans gather for Graceland vigil

MEMPHIS, Aug. 16 (UPI) -- About 20,000 Elvis Presley fans attended a candlelight vigil at the late rock 'n' roller's grave at his Memphis estate Graceland, officials said.

Tuesday marked the 34th anniversary of the recording star's death of a heart attack at the age of 42.

The vigil in his honor was held at Graceland Monday night, The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal reported.

"It's exciting that, 34 years after his death, Elvis is still being celebrated around the world," Kevin Kern, media director of Elvis Presley Enterprises, told the newspaper. "It's not just about the number of people here on Elvis Presley Boulevard each year, but about the millions of people around the world keeping his memory alive."

Asked if he considers himself Presley's No. 1 fan, Graceland visitor Bill Rowe, who saw the popularly nicknamed "King of Rock 'n' Roll" in concert 28 times, questioned the Appeal in reply,

"Who's to say what makes a true fan?"

"Is it the guy who's first in line for 20 years, or somebody on welfare who saves up to buy an Elvis bauble? Elvis treated all his fans with respect and equality," said Rowe, 61, who has diabetes, but still traveled from Ohio and waited 18 hours to be first in line for Monday's vigil.