Or as renowned author Alanna Nash put it:"Happy birthday, you great, big, beautiful hunk of forbidden fruit!".
Lisa Marie wearing a long black coat and sunglasses and looking happy, was greeted with huge cheers from the crowd. She said, “Thank you. It’s been a while. I missed you. I keep saying you’re the only people that can bring me out of my house. I’m not kidding!
Part of the celebrations is the release of the digital single with Britney Spears, 'Toxic Las Vegas', free screenings of the 'ELVIS' movie', the opening of a new exhibition on the making of that movie, done in partnership with Warner Bros., National Film and Sound Archives of Australia and Baz Luhrmann. It which explores the beginning of the film’s creative process through its journey to the big screen; Alton Mason will also be on site for the opening.
Don't forget to tune in to Graceland's livestream for Elvis' Birthday Proclamation Ceremony on January 8th, at 8:30 AM CST with a special appearance by Lisa Marie Presley, along with TCB Band member Glen Hardin and 'ELVIS' movie actor Alton Mason, a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day. >>> click this link to join: livestream.com/elvispresleygraceland/23birthday.
Priscilla Presley posted: "It’s Elvis’ 88th birthday today. It’s so hard to believe he is gone but he is always our hearts. Thank you all for keeping his memory alive ❤️".
Elvis' family, friends and a large number of fans gathered at Graceland to mark what would have been Elvis' 88th birthday. Lisa Marie led the annual event which featured the usual 'Elvis Presley Birthday Proclamation' from the City of Memphis and Shelby County, as well as a ceremonial cake cutting.
The event drew an unusually large gathering of Presley diehards, a number clearly boosted by the success of the 2022 'ELVIS' biopic, to the Graceland front lawn for the 30-minute ceremony.
Jack Soden EPE CEO welcomed the group noting, “I can speak with some authority having been here every year for a lot of years. This is unquestionably the largest crowd we’ve ever had. You all come from all over the world … and we love you for being here.” Following brief appearances by Alton Mason (Little Richard in the Baz Luhrmann film) and TCB band pianist Glen D. Hardin, EPE's Joel Weinshanker spoke. He noted that one of Elvis' career ambitions “was to be in an amazing movie, with an amazing director and be part of an amazing film. And I think we did that for him this year.” He added that "Graceland is probably the most famous house in the world, and there is only one person whose house it is - Lisa Marie Presley".
I love you back and that’s why I’m here. Today Elvis would’ve been 88 years old, it’s hard to believe. I think that he’d be proud. This year has been an incredible year. The movie is incredible, I’m very proud of it, and I hope you are too.
But it’s just so moving how every year you come from all over the world. It’s moving to me and my family… so thank you.”
Lisa Marie then unveiled the 'Aloha from Hawaii' themed cake - notable as it is its 50th anniversary — as the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to close the proceedings.
(Source: Graceland / Elvis Information Network)