THE PRESLEYS REMEMBER ELVIS 35 YEARS LATER
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ETONLINE
Today marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, and last night thousands of fans swarmed to Elvis' famous Memphis residence, Graceland, for a candlelight vigil honoring the late legend. ET caught up with Presley's former wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie, who made an impromptu appearance at the annual vigil.
Although the two have previously made separate appearances at the vigil that occurs each year on the date of the rock 'n' roll star's death in 1977, they appeared together at the vigil together for the first time on Wednesday night. Lisa Marie said that despite her inhibitions, it "felt right" in the moment.
"[It was] very moving," said Priscilla, who married Elvis in Las Vegas in 1967 and divorced him after six years. "I was looking out at how many people and the candles that were lit thinking that Elvis would never believe this--ever, in a million years."
She added that having spent many years before and during her marriage with Elvis at the Graceland mansion, being in the house, which has now been converted into a museum, while the interview was being conducted brought back many memories for her.
"When we're here, it's difficult because this house holds many, many, many wonderful memories," Priscilla, who met Elvis at age 14, said. "If these walls could just talk. It's surreal being here."
Although Priscilla's marriage with Elvis didn't last too long, the two remained on amicable terms until his death and maintained friendly relations in the custody of their daughter Lisa Marie, of whom Priscilla had full legal custody.
"In my heart, no," she replied when asked if there will ever be another performer like Elvis. "He was one-of-a-kind. He had it all. He was a very special human being and I think that's one of the reasons why you see what you see out there today at the vigil; people recognize that."
Elvis wasn't merely known for the music that he sang, but for the way in which he did it with flashy dance moves that saw him flying across the stage as he thrust his hips to the sound of high-pitched screams from adoring crowd members. As his family states, it wasn't just an act.
"There wasn't any kind of mechanics or machine involved in him...no manipulation or agenda," said Lisa Marie, who has her own successful music career. "He was off stage who he was on stage, so that's a big difference [from other performers]. People can feel that, and people respond to that."
As Elvis Week continues, she revealed that fans will get to see special videos of her and Elvis during this year's anniversary concert, in which she will harmonize with her father.
