All Shook Up! Elvis Presley Fans Pay Tribute to Rock'N'Roll King Across the Globe
14:57 GMT 16.08.2021 (Updated: 13:22 GMT 06.08.2022)
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The King of Rock and Roll allegedly died of an overdose of prescription drugs, causing his heart to stop on 16 August 1977. Presley was 42 years old when he died.
Since Elvis Presley's death of a suspected heart attack in 1977, impersonations of him have been a big deal and a strong industry among fans around the world. One of the reasons why there are so many Elvis impersonators even today is the availability of costumes, wigs, and other props that help in the effort. There is a widespread joke among fans that Presley himself entered an Elvis impersonation contest and only took third place.
Check out Sputnik's photo gallery to have a look at some marvellous impersonations of the King of Rock and Roll.
© AFP 2023 / Stan HondaElvis Presley fan Orlando Bruno of Paris, France holds up a sign as he waits in line to visit Presley's gravesite on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Presley's death, 15 August 2007 at Graceland, Presley's home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Elvis Presley fan Orlando Bruno of Paris, France holds up a sign as he waits in line to visit Presley's gravesite on the eve of the 30th anniversary of Presley's death, 15 August 2007 at Graceland, Presley's home in Memphis, Tennessee.
© AFP 2023 / Mike NelsonMark, from Las Vegas, dressed as a blue-faced Elvis Presley sneers near the Burning Man Post Office at the Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada. Thousands of people gather at this spot each year and create a man-made city in the desert to celebrate freedom of expression and then burn "The Man" and other structures.
Mark, from Las Vegas, dressed as a blue-faced Elvis Presley sneers near the Burning Man Post Office at the Burning Man Festival in the Black Rock Desert of northern Nevada. Thousands of people gather at this spot each year and create a man-made city in the desert to celebrate freedom of expression and then burn "The Man" and other structures.
© REUTERS / MattelA special edition Elvis Barbie doll is seen in this picture obtained by Reuters on 10 August 2021.
A special edition Elvis Barbie doll is seen in this picture obtained by Reuters on 10 August 2021.
© AP Photo / Denis PoroyRunners dressed as Elvis Presley take off from the starting line of the 10th Rock 'N' Roll Marathon held in San Diego Sunday, 3 June 2007. Over 20,000 runners took part in the annual music-themed race.
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© AP Photo / Denis Poroy
Runners dressed as Elvis Presley take off from the starting line of the 10th Rock 'N' Roll Marathon held in San Diego Sunday, 3 June 2007. Over 20,000 runners took part in the annual music-themed race.
© AFP 2023 / Patrick Pleul A sculpture made of pumpkins depicting US singer Elvis Presley is displayed at an event farm house in Klaistow, eastern Germany, on 27 August 2015.
A sculpture made of pumpkins depicting US singer Elvis Presley is displayed at an event farm house in Klaistow, eastern Germany, on 27 August 2015.
© AFP 2023 / Roberto SchmidtJohn Dreessen of Maastricht, Holland, looks at flowers and notes left by well-wishers at the grave of legendary rock'n'roll singer Elvis Presley at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. Graceland officials estimate that 30,000 fans visited "The King's" grave during commemorations for the 20th anniversary of his death at the age of 42.
John Dreessen of Maastricht, Holland, looks at flowers and notes left by well-wishers at the grave of legendary rock'n'roll singer Elvis Presley at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. Graceland officials estimate that 30,000 fans visited "The King's" grave during commemorations for the 20th anniversary of his death at the age of 42.
© AP Photo / Karl-Heinz Kreifelts An exhibitor visits Caravan Salon 97. The image shows a motorhome painted with scenes from the life of Elvis.
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© AP Photo / Karl-Heinz Kreifelts
An exhibitor visits Caravan Salon 97. The image shows a motorhome painted with scenes from the life of Elvis.
© AP Photo / Wong Maye-ETalos the Rottweiler dressed up to look like Elvis Presley waits for people to pose next to him during a meet-the-breeds companion event at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.
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© AP Photo / Wong Maye-E
Talos the Rottweiler dressed up to look like Elvis Presley waits for people to pose next to him during a meet-the-breeds companion event at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York.
© AP Photo / Bullit MarquezFilipino Elvis Presley impersonators, from left, Bjorn Rono, Richie Barangan, and Lito Jaurejui, pose prior to a performance on Sunday, 15 August 2010 in Manila, Philippines to pay tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll on his 33rd death anniversary. About 30 impersonators took part in the singing contest.
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© AP Photo / Bullit Marquez
Filipino Elvis Presley impersonators, from left, Bjorn Rono, Richie Barangan, and Lito Jaurejui, pose prior to a performance on Sunday, 15 August 2010 in Manila, Philippines to pay tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll on his 33rd death anniversary. About 30 impersonators took part in the singing contest.
© AFP 2023 / Ethan Miller / Getty Images Impressionist Terry Fator performs during a Criss Angel's HELP (Heal Every Life Possible) charity event at the Luxor Hotel and Casino benefiting paediatric cancer research and treatment on 12 September 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Impressionist Terry Fator performs during a Criss Angel's HELP (Heal Every Life Possible) charity event at the Luxor Hotel and Casino benefiting paediatric cancer research and treatment on 12 September 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
© AFP 2023 / Claus Fisker Stefan Koch, a dedicated Elvis Presley fan who owns 1,200 Elvis Presley CDs, displays his tattoos, portraits of Elvis Presley, on 16 August 2007 at his home in the small village Ornsbjerg on the island of Funen in Denmark. Stefan Koch marked the 30th anniversary of the great artist's death by hoisting his Elvis Presley flag in his garden. Stefan Koch's three-year old daughter's name is Grace.
Stefan Koch, a dedicated Elvis Presley fan who owns 1,200 Elvis Presley CDs, displays his tattoos, portraits of Elvis Presley, on 16 August 2007 at his home in the small village Ornsbjerg on the island of Funen in Denmark. Stefan Koch marked the 30th anniversary of the great artist's death by hoisting his Elvis Presley flag in his garden. Stefan Koch's three-year old daughter's name is Grace.
© AFP 2023 / Peter ParksAn Elvis fan uses a train window as a mirror at the Central Station before boarding a train to the Parkes Elvis Festival, in Sydney on 10 January 2019. The Parkes Elvis Festival is an annual event celebrating the music and life of Elvis Presley in the New South Wales town of Parkes.
An Elvis fan uses a train window as a mirror at the Central Station before boarding a train to the Parkes Elvis Festival, in Sydney on 10 January 2019. The Parkes Elvis Festival is an annual event celebrating the music and life of Elvis Presley in the New South Wales town of Parkes.
© AP Photo / Adam Butler12-year-old Kostya Abramovich carries a large cut-out of Elvis Presley into a shop dedicated to the rock and roll legend named “Elvisly Yours” in central London on Friday, 16 August 2002. The shop was expecting greater turnover due to it being the 25th anniversary of his death on Friday.
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© AP Photo / Adam Butler
12-year-old Kostya Abramovich carries a large cut-out of Elvis Presley into a shop dedicated to the rock and roll legend named “Elvisly Yours” in central London on Friday, 16 August 2002. The shop was expecting greater turnover due to it being the 25th anniversary of his death on Friday.
© AP Photo / Michael ProbstWalking figures depicting late US rock and roll legend Elvis Presley appear on a traffic light in Bad Nauheim, Germany, Friday, 5 July 2019. Presley went to Bad Nauheim in 1958 during his military service.
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© AP Photo / Michael Probst
Walking figures depicting late US rock and roll legend Elvis Presley appear on a traffic light in Bad Nauheim, Germany, Friday, 5 July 2019. Presley went to Bad Nauheim in 1958 during his military service.
© AFP 2023 / Oli ScarffElvis Presley fans dance as tribute artist Jo El performs on the opening day of “Elvis Celebration 2018” at the Blackpool Winter Gardens in North West England on 29 June 2018. The three-day festival celebrating Elvis Presley brings together many tribute artists, traders, and fans of the “The King”.
Elvis Presley fans dance as tribute artist Jo El performs on the opening day of “Elvis Celebration 2018” at the Blackpool Winter Gardens in North West England on 29 June 2018. The three-day festival celebrating Elvis Presley brings together many tribute artists, traders, and fans of the “The King”.
© AFP 2023 / Oli ScarffA contestant dressed in an Elvis Presley-themed costume prepares to take part in the 30th World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Waen Rhydd peat bog at Llanwrtyd Wells, South Wales on 30 August 2015. Entrants must negotiate two lengths of a 60-yard trench through the peat bog in the quickest possible time without using any conventional swimming strokes.
A contestant dressed in an Elvis Presley-themed costume prepares to take part in the 30th World Bog Snorkelling Championships in Waen Rhydd peat bog at Llanwrtyd Wells, South Wales on 30 August 2015. Entrants must negotiate two lengths of a 60-yard trench through the peat bog in the quickest possible time without using any conventional swimming strokes.
© AP Photo / Jacquelyn MartinMembers of the media talk by the painting "Elvis Presley" by Ralph Wolfe Cowan, part of the exhibit "One Life: Echoes of Elvis" at the National Portrait Gallery during a press preview in Washington, on Thursday, 7 January 2010.
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© AP Photo / Jacquelyn Martin
Members of the media talk by the painting "Elvis Presley" by Ralph Wolfe Cowan, part of the exhibit "One Life: Echoes of Elvis" at the National Portrait Gallery during a press preview in Washington, on Thursday, 7 January 2010.
© AP Photo / Mark HumphreyElvis Presley fan Adrian Cornelius, of Coleman, Ala., waits in line by a graffiti-covered wall in front of Graceland, Presley's Memphis home, on Wednesday, 15 August 2012, in Memphis, Tenn. Presley fans from around the world went to Graceland to take part in the annual candlelight vigil marking the 35th anniversary of his death.
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© AP Photo / Mark Humphrey
Elvis Presley fan Adrian Cornelius, of Coleman, Ala., waits in line by a graffiti-covered wall in front of Graceland, Presley's Memphis home, on Wednesday, 15 August 2012, in Memphis, Tenn. Presley fans from around the world went to Graceland to take part in the annual candlelight vigil marking the 35th anniversary of his death.