When Elvis’ body left the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis on Wednesday, August 17, 1977 – after the autopsy – thousands of fans stood in front of the gates of the hospital to take a look at the coffin.
In the meantime, almost 20,000 fans had gathered in front of the gates of the villa, who could hardly put their grief into words and who wanted to attend the funeral of their idol. Everyone wanted to take one last look at the King Of Rock ’n‘ Roll. Around 6:30 p.m., after well over 80,000 people had visited Elvis ‘coffin,
A tragic accident happened just outside Graceland when a drunk driver drove his car into a group of teenagers and killed 2 of them.
The private memorial service took place on Thursday, August 18, 1977, quite simply among close family and friends in the Graceland music room. After the celebration, a convoy of 17 white Cadillacs, accompanied by a police motorcycle escort, set off from Graceland towards Forest Hill Cemetery
It took about 4 hours to reach the cemetery 4 kilometers away and to be able to complete the funeral of the rock king with dignity.
The guests present and invited to the memorial service at Forest Hill Cemetery, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis father Vernon, his grandmother Minnie Mae Presley, his last friends Ginger Alden, his ex-girlfriend Linda Thompson, as well as celebrities like Chat Atkins, Caroline Kennedy (from Rolling Stone magazine), Ann-Margret with her husband Roger Smith, James Brown, George Hamilton, Sammy Davis Jr., Bill Murray and other friends and acquaintances listened to the sermon of the Reverend Bradley.
Elvis manager Colonel Parker sat apathetically on the seat of one of the police motorcycles for most of the funeral service. He just can’t believe that Elvis is no longer there and decides never to work as a manager for an artist again, the pain of loss is too great.
At 4:24 p.m. Elvis is buried in a white marble mausoleum, just 90 meters from the grave of his mother Gladys.
Elvis father Vernon collapsed in tears and shouted: “Son, your father will be with you soon. Your father will be with you soon”