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CNN Live Today

Graceland Hosts Candlelight Vigil

Aired August 16, 2002 - 12:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: It is definitely a day for memories in Memphis. For hours, thousands of fans have been lining up the driveway at Graceland to pay tribute to Elvis. It has been 25 years since the king of rock'n'roll died there.
CNN's Gary Tuchman is with the fans now -- hi there, Gary. Still huge crowds turning out there, right?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, huge crowds all week, but particular today because this is the anniversary. Elvis Presley started his career in 1954, which means he sang professionally for 23 years. He now been gone for longer, 25 years, but his popularity is still immense. As a matter of fact, his estate today makes more money than he ever made when he was alive. Behind us is Graceland mansion, people going in, paying $25 a head to tour the mansion and related facilities in this area, but last night to early this morning, admission was free for a very special ceremony.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN (voice-over): They started lining up more than 24 hours before the candlelight vigil was scheduled to start. And Bill Rowe (ph), an Elvis Presley fan from Dayton, Ohio, was first in line.

(on camera): Are you tired?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tired, yes, but delightfully so, because this is, as they say, a labor of love on our part.

TUCHMAN (voice-over): Night fell, and monsoon-like rain started falling, but the crowd built up, people waiting to pay homage to the king of rock'n'roll on the 25th anniversary of his death.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're looking for Elvis fans. Have we come to the right place?

TUCHMAN: They played Elvis songs over the loudspeaker, and then the fans were allowed in in a single file. They came with their families, in their wheelchairs, with their oxygen tanks, for the solemn procession to Elvis' grave site behind Graceland. Bill Rowe (ph) led the way, and he was ultimately followed by tens of thousands of others.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It made me feel a part of a big, entire group of people who love one person, and that's very moving.

TUCHMAN: The king's music played continuously as his fans walked past the grave sites of Elvis, his parents, and his grandmother. It was emotionally difficult for many, even for those who have no memories of Elvis when he was alive.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It just doesn't seem like it's been 25 years.

TUCHMAN: That was a common sentiment. Just where have all the years gone?

(on camera): As the hours went by, the rains started getting heavier, but the crowds continued to stream in. More evidence that while the King is gone, his fans' passion is not.

(voice-over): The first man in line, Bill Rowe (ph), paid homage to his hero by putting flowers on the grave site, but the experience overwhelmed him.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's gone. He's not coming back. It's not that fair. Somebody who gives everybody so much, has to go so young. It's just not fair.

TUCHMAN: Elvis Presley would have been 67 years old.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

TUCHMAN: The candlelight vigil lasted for almost 11 hours. People were streaming in here with their candles until 9:00 local time this morning. Everyone who wanted to come in did get a chance to come in -- Fredricka, back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Gary. So you said it is free now, but usually when you go to Graceland there is a fee, isn't there, involved, quickly?

All right, Gary, guess you can't hear me. Thanks very much.

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