Fans mark 33 years since Elvis' death

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Fans mark 33 years since Elvis' death

Elvis Presley fans worldwide paid tribute to the music icon marking 33 years since his death.

Elvis Presley fans hold candles on Elvis Presley Boulevard outside Graceland to mark the 33rd anniversary of the King of Rock 'n Roll's death at his Memphis home. The nighttime procession, which began Sunday night, is the highlight of a weeklong series of fan-club meetings, film showings and Elvis tribute artist contests.

Elvis admirers from around the world descended on Elvis' former home Sunday night to attend an annual candlelight vigil and procession that ran into Monday morning. Presley died at his Graceland mansion Aug. 16, 1977. He was 42. Memorials started at the mansion the following year.

A fan photographs Franz Goovaerts - an Elvis Presley impersonator from Belgium who goes by the stage name Elvis Jr. - during a performance at Graceland.

The tribute brought fans from across the globe closer together. Elvis Presley impersonator Mark Rio (right), of Brazil, posed for a photo with Brandon Bird, 8, of Manhattan, Ill.

Filipino Elvis Presley impersonators (from left) Bjorn Rono, Richie Barangan and Lito Jaurejui were among about 30 impersonators who took part in the singing contest marking the death of the rock icon.

Elvis Presley impersonators line up to register prior to a performance in Manila, Philippines.

Filipino Elvis Presley impersonator Walter Perez poses backstage. About 30 impersonators took part in a singing contest Sunday in Manila, Philippines, to pay tribute to Elvis Presley, with Perez being the oldest at 75 years old.

Elvis Presley fans light candles as they walk to Presley's grave at Graceland. Elvis ballads like "If I Can Dream" and "Fools Rush In" played as participants solemnly filed in through the gates.

Fran Rea, of Monticello, Ark., waits in the heat outside the wall in front of Graceland for a chance to stroll through the grounds. Elvis purchased the 13-acre Graceland property in 1957 for a song - just a bit more than $100,000.

Pat Parker (right), of Leeds, Ala., tells Elvis Presley impersonator Mark Rio which way to look for a souvenir photo.

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Elvis Presley fans hold candles on Elvis Presley Boulevard outside Graceland to mark the 33rd anniversary of the King of Rock 'n Roll's death at his Memphis home. The nighttime procession, which began Sunday night, is the highlight of a weeklong series of fan-club meetings, film showings and Elvis tribute artist contests.

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