We’re still
40 years after his death, Elvis’ Irish superfans reveal why he’s just so special...
The man who started a music revolution will be remembered with a week-long calendar of events at his home in Graceland, Memphis.
Elvis Presley sold more than one billion records worldwide but he was known for his good looks, charisma and generosity every bit as much as his music.
Here some Irish fans share their memories of the King… March 25, 1977 – Dee was shocked to receive a letter in the post from Elvis himself thanking her for visiting.
Dee said: “I couldn’t believe it. I’ve been offered thousands for it over the years but I’d never part with it. I’m glad I went and met him when I did.
“It’s so sad he passed away so young – he was only 42. It was no age. You’ll never forget where you were when Elvis died, it was the lead story on the news for a whole week.” Dee works as a researcher on a radio show called Elvis Memories which airs on Sundays at 6pm on 103.2 Dublin City FM.
The man behind it, John Kavanagh, said he will continue broadcasting it “until he is taken out in a box”.
Dubliner John, 64, told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “Elvis was hugely prominent in my life from an early age.
“Blame my mother on that. In 1960 when I was six years old she brought me to see Jailhouse Rock in the cinema and it left a lasting impression on me. My mam built up an Elvis collection so I stole some of them and put them in my own little cupboard.
“In 1965 he had his first No 1 in two years, Crying In The Chapel, and my mother sent me off to Capel Street to buy it for six shillings and 11 old pence.” Through his show John has met most of Elvis’ friends, associates, entourage and ex-girlfriends, including Mindi Miller and Red West – one of a group of minders affectionately known as the Memphis Mafia.
West fell out of favour for raising his concerns about how things were being run and helped write the book Elvis: What Happened? which was published weeks before the singer’s death.
According to the ex-bodyguard it