Dust off those blue suede shoes and get ready to join Elvis Week 2012, the annual celebration at Graceland in Memphis commemorates Elvis Presley's life and career and the anniversary of his death on August 16, 1977, at age 42.
It’s a testament to the enduring power of the King of Rock and Roll, and a best use of technological evolution that future generations can engage with the legacy of Elvis Aaron Presley, considered one of the most important icons of 20th century pop culture.
Elvis Week 2012, running August 10-18, embraces all things digital and social with an official Elvis Week app for both iPhone and Android, featuring a customizable event schedule, complete list of Elvis Week guests, a map of the Graceland grounds and Memphis area, a news feed with video recaps, Memphis area weather conditions and a virtual candle for the annual Candlelight Vigil on August 15.
The week is being hosted by Memphis music personality Memphis Jones and co-hosted by Israel Jane, winner of a worldwide talent search presented by Elvis.com, with daily updates from reporter Jon Waterhouse, who will be blogging from the scene.
In addition to Facebook, and Twitter, new social media participants include: Get Glue, check in for an exclusive digital Elvis Week sticker, Instagram, take photos, tag them #ElvisWeek and see them featured on ElvisWeek.com, Foursquare, check in at Graceland to receive a free 35th Anniversary poster, while Pinterest, invites fans to create an Elvis Week board with images from Memphis during the week, and Tumblr, invites photos, blogs and general UGC.
More than 25 events comprise Elvis Week including Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert, Thursday, August 16, 8:00 p.m. in the 18,000-seat FedExForum, featuring Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley, and including Joe Guercio, Elvis’ musical conductor; Norbert Putnam, bass player for many of Elvis’ recording sessions; DJ Fontana, Elvis’ original drummer and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Elvis Songwriters Showcase, Saturday, August 11, is a new event that blends storytelling and music and features songwriters like Mike Stoller (half of the famed Leiber and Stoller duo) who wrote “Hound Dog,” “Loving You,” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artists Contest returns for a sixth year with entrants from the United States, Canada, Australia and Japan, competing for cash prizes and the first place winner receiving a performance contract with Legends in Concert.
The annual Candlelight Vigil begins at 8:30 p.m., August 15th and lasts until the early morning hours of August 16th as thousands of fans walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back carrying a candle in remembrance.
Elvis remains the best-selling solo artist in the history of popular music, a singular star, whose iconic career is not only remembered and celebrated, but is now digitally preserved and enhanced.
For those too young to remember and for those who do, here’s the video of Elvis’ Paramount Studios screen test for his Blue Suede Shoes movie in 1956:
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