Las Vegas Walk of Stars Press Release

LAS VEGAS WALK OF STARS HONORS "THE KING" ELVIS PRESLEY SEPTEMBER 26, 2008

LAS VEGAS, NV - (June 23, 2008) Legendary recording, film and television star, Elvis Presley, will be honored by the Las Vegas Walk of Stars with the 27th star installation on Friday, September 26, 2008 at 11 AM. The ceremony will take place at The Riviera Hotel, located in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. This very special event will be open to the media and invited guests only. The Viva Las Vegas Elvis Presley Fan Club is sponsoring the Elvis Presley Star. Elvis Aaron Presley was born in East Tupelo, Mississippi on January 8, 1935 where he lived with his parents, Gladys (Smith) and Vernon until the family moved when Elvis was 13 to Memphis,Tennessee. After graduating from Humes High School in Memphis, Elvis worked odd jobs, first as a movie theater usher, then as a truck driver for Crown Electric Company. Elvis Presley began his career as one of the first performers of
Rockabilly, an up-tempo fusion of country, rhythm and blues with a strong back beat. His unique style and versions of existing songs, mixing 'black' and 'white' sounds, made him popular - and controversial - as did his uninhibited stage and television performances. Elvis recorded songs in the Rock-n-Roll genre, with tracks like "Jailhouse Rock" and "Hound Dog" later embodying that style. He had a versatile voice and was widely successful in encompassing other genres, including gospel, rhythm & blues, ballads, and pop. To date, Elvis is the only performer to have been inducted into three separate music "Halls of Fame" (Country, Rock & Roll, Gospel). Elvis began singing locally in 1954 when he signed with Sam Phillips of Sun Records and released his first record, "That's All Right Mama". Gaining recognition as "The Hillbilly Cat," Elvis signed in 1955 with RCA Records. In 1956, Elvis exploded on the music scene. He did much to establish early Rock & Roll music, bringing traditionally Black Blues singing to mainstream White teenagers. Teenage girls became hysterical over his blatantly sexual gyrations, particularly the one that got him nicknamed "Elvis the Pelvis" (TV cameras were not permitted to film below his waist on the Ed Sullivan Show). That same year, Elvis was cast in his first movie in a supporting role. That movie, "Love Me Tender," was the first of 33 movies in which Elvis starred, and was responsible for producing high box office earnings which totaled upwards of $150 million. His military service in the late 1950's coupled with the "British invasion" of the 1960's reduced his concert schedule, although not his movie/recording career. Throughout the 1960's, Elvis established himself in Hollywood where he continued to appear in television specials and star in movies, often acting alongside some of the most well known actors and actresses in Hollywood and around the world.

Elvis made his famous 'comeback' in 1968 in an incredibly successful TV Special. The next year, he returned to live concert appearances in Las Vegas. Throughout the 1970's, Elvis sold out the the Hilton showroom over 800 times, and he toured the United States appearing on-stage in over 500 live appearances, many of them sold out shows in large venues. His 1973 television special, "Aloha from Hawaii," was the first live worldwide satellite broadcast concert. It was during this time that Elvis' performances became legendary for his new style of uniquely designed and embellished jumpsuits, his powerful singing, and full stageshow production.

Elvis Presley passed away at the age of 42, on August 16, 1977 at the mansion he lived in, Graceland, near Memphis. At the time of his death, Elvis had sold over 600 million singles and albums. Since his death, Graceland has become a shrine for millions of followers worldwide. It houses precious memorabilia and personal items, along with numerous displays full of plaques and certificates of commendation for Elvis Presley's record breaking career as well as for his dedication to charitable causes in his hometown and around the United States.

About the Viva Las Vegas Club

The Viva Las Vegas International Elvis Presley Fan Club was founded in 2004. Its goal is to commemorate the memory and legacy of Elvis Presley to Las Vegas in the areas of Entertainment and Charity. Officially registered with Elvis Presley Enterprises. For more information, visit www.VivaLasVegasClub.net or www.AStarForElvis.com


About the Las Vegas Walk of Stars

The Las Vegas Walk of Stars was developed in cooperation with Clark County, Nevada which sanctioned four miles of sidewalk to the East and West of Las Vegas Boulevard South between Sahara and Russell. Similar
to the "Palm Springs Walk of Stars," located along the sidewalks of Palm Canyon Drive in Palm Springs, California, the Las Vegas project honors people of prominence in a variety of fields including entertainment, sports, literary, humanitarian, civic, military, and pioneers. Each Star is a slab of polished granite (approximately 3 square feet) weighing 180 lbs. and inlaid with the recipient's name and specialty. For more information, visit www.LasVegasWalkOfStars.com