It’s been four decades since the King of Rock ’n’ Roll left the building, but his legacy lives on.
Thousands gathered last night at Graceland to hold a candlelight vigil for the star, who died of a heart attack on Aug. 16, 1977, USA TODAY reports. Many were lifelong fans who traveled far distances to pay tribute.
“When I was a child, I used to listen to him all the time,” Roxana Galaz, who came from Santiago, Chile, told USA TODAY. “I love him so much,” she said. “He makes my day all the time.”
Some of Elvis’ family also attended the memorial, including his only child, Lisa Marie Presley, and his former wife, Priscilla.
“I didn’t see him as this movie star or this huge iconic singer,” Priscilla, who was married to Elvis from 1967 to 1973, said during an appearance this week on Australia’s Today. “I saw him at probably one of the most vulnerable times of his life. Losing his mother and then, of course, being drafted, which was devastating at the top of his career. So he poured his heart out to me.”
Take a look at some of the photos from the vigil below.
With the fam in Memphis paying tribute to The King. #Elvis40 pic.twitter.com/MYvUtOzs5C
— Jeff Duarte (@JDStylz_) August 15, 2017
Fans are remembering #ElvisPresley tonight with the annual candel light vigil at his gravesite. #ElvisHistory #Elvis #KingOfRockAndRoll pic.twitter.com/NWQnmsdjqk
— Charlies1600 ?? (@Charlies1600) August 16, 2017
Candlelight vigil underway at @ElvisPresley #Graceland #40years #fnr pic.twitter.com/3zbBlBSAiw
— Tonya J. Powers (@tonyajpowers) August 16, 2017
Everyone should go to the Elvis candlelight vigil before they die. Nothing quite like it. #RIP #Elvis ? pic.twitter.com/S33kflQ5dX
— Jordan A. Michael (@jordan901TN) August 16, 2017
That Just Happened. 40th Anniversary. Long Live Elvis . . . @VisitGraceland @ElvisPresley pic.twitter.com/hU24DSkxhg
— Charles Tillman II (@2TonTillman) August 16, 2017
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