What It Was Really Like The Day Elvis Died

Few would argue that Elvis Presley was the most significant popular musician of his generation — some would say the century. Sadly, the King had started to burn out by the end. Brought low by fatigue, drug addiction, and mental illness, Presley was living an insomniac life at his Graceland mansion in his last days. Surrounded by his entourage and final romantic partner, Ginger Alden, Presley was sinking ever deeper into drug dependency and the many health problems associated with it, as well as those of his generally unhealthy lifestyle. His final day was nothing unusual, but as few were there to witness it, there are some details which remain unclear even decades later. Here's what it was really like the day Elvis died.

#Elvis #TheKing #RockandRoll

Elvis Presley's last words | 0:00
Final book | 1:20
Raising the alarm | 2:19
Finding Elvis | 3:12
After his death | 4:00
Pronounced dead | 4:41
Fans respond | 5:08
Poor health | 6:19
Cause of death | 7:19
Laid to rest | 8:50
Net worth | 9:41

[Weezie_TJ_]

My Great Uncle served with Elvis. We still have the photos that were taken with him and Elvis as a few family members came before my Uncle was sent overseas. They said you would never know he was a star and was a very humble, kind, and compassionate man.

[texicanwife]

I was at my parents home when Elvis died. Mom and I were watching the news when it was announced. We turned to each other, and we both broke into tears. My Dad thought we were being silly. I think we both knew that it was end of an era. Still today, I think of him as having the best singing voice ever. He just can't be beat. No one has ever been as talented as he was. Elvis is still the King.

[bossleonie]

My dad was 10 when Elvis died. His 4th grade class held a small ceremony for him with candles. RIP you legend

[terrygarcia]

I was 16. Came home from my girlfriends house and my mom was crying watching the news. She seen him 2 times in the 50s. I watch and listen to the king everyday. Taking my mom to Graceland in April god willing. She's 80.

[sandramaggard]

Elvis had a lot of health problems, you never hear of him complaining. He was a kind and humble soul, his legacy will live on for many year's to come.

[rafaelcisneros]

Elvis is the kind of guy who you never actually have to listen to his music to be a Fan, I never bought a record or a single of his Yet I'm a huge Elvis Fan, he's Americas Pride. Viva Las Vegas!!!

[deeking]

I was 18 yrs old and was working at Kmart. Two women came through my check-out line. They were in tears and were buying every Elvis record we had in stock. That's how I learned Elvis had died.

[therealdibabe]

I was in the backseat of my best friend’s car when suddenly the announcer on the radio cut the song to announce that Elvis Presley had died. My girlfriend’s Mom was driving and she had to pull over. We sat on the shoulder of the road while my best pal’s Mom sobbed and sobbed. She was a lifelong Elvis fan and the news of his death hit her very hard. My own Mom was in radio at a very prominent station in the 60’s, 70’s & early 80’s. She was lucky enough to have met Elvis. After she met him, she said he was by far THE most handsome man she’d ever met. I will never forget the day that Elvis died. He was cool before being cool was ever a thing. Lord, please take good care of our King. 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

[codylauren]

I've visited The King in Graceland it really feels like a snap in time. Was kind of cool to be able to see how he lived. Just because I was born in the 80s doesn't mean I can't appreciate great music.

[bradjames]

I'm still shocked that he's been gone for 45 years and we're still talking about him as we should be he wasn't just some icon to anyone I can proudly say he was and still will always be a legend my mom introduced me to Elvis Presley when I was in middle school the very first movie I saw of his was Viva Las Vegas and I'm now 22 years old and I still love him I still love watching his movies and I still love talking about him and I still can't stop watching the Elvis Presley movie that came out this year that's how I still keep him alive by still watching his movies and still listening to his songs may he Rest In Peace Elvis Aaron Presley January 8, 1935 - August 16, 1977 ❤️👑🎸🙏

[VZ-Warrior_Soul]

My mom is a huge fan of Elvis so growing up in the 70’s I heard all his records and watched all his movies. I gotta say listening and watching the king of Rock n Roll was a great time of my life. Although he is gone, his legacy will forever live

[clairelowry]

What I remember most about the day he died in Memphis TN (my hometown) is that we had the most beautiful sunset that I've ever seen in my city. I was headed toward the river to get some pix, but my car developed a problem and I had to get to a repair shop.

[LudiCrust.]

My dad was getting an oil changed on his car in Indianapolis one day Elvis showed up and bought him a car (as well as a couple other people there). $20m doesn’t sound like a lot of money but regular cars only cost $1-2k & luxury cars were $4-5k. Despite what anyone says about him he was a genuinely nice man and only ever tried to help people and share his wealth. I dunno why but I’ve always felt enormous sympathy & sadness for him despite his insane life of luxury & frankly outrageous privilege.

[nudibranch]

I was a flight attendant at the time and about a fortnight later I was at the aircraft doorway doing the meet n greet and Elvis stepped onto the plane, well someone who was a dead ringer for him anyway! I still remember that sudden feeling of being punched in the chest; my breath hitched and bless him, he leaned forward, put his hand lightly on my forearm and said it’s ok honey I’m not Elvis, I’m heading out to do a show. He had a band with him and once everyone else had calmed down we had a lovely flight.

[charlesw.]

I remember hanging around my mother as she ironed clothes for the coming workweek. I was 5 and didn't realize the impact, nor how big of a fan I would later become. The king is dead, long live the king, Baby!

[cinnamonbun]

My mother told me my gran broke down in tears and screamed the king is dead waking up all her children. She loved him so much. Reading all these comments you can see how much it effected so many people who adored him and enjoyed his music. It’s so nice to see that he is still loved to this day and even got a new movie coming out

[raygreen]

I was in Ireland when Elvis died. There was a lot of sadness and some wept for the passing of the legend in Memphis

[agallimoreagallimore]

My mom was a huge fan. Had a chance to see him live in 1977 but was very pregnant with me. I was a few months old when she heard he died on the radio, she said she pulled over the car and started sobbing. When she got home my father had to carry her in the house. He heard it on the radio as well and was worried that she wasn’t home yet.

[deboisblanc]

I lived in Memphis about 30/years, saw him in concert twice and around Memphis a few times. You could feel his vibe when he was home at Graceland or saw his jet at Hi Air. Incredible artist.

[yolandajohnson]

I truly enjoyed listening to this video as well as learning more about The King.