Elvis, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, died 45 years ago today.

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Elvis Presley may have died 45 years ago, but his legacy lives on as one of the greatest pop culture icons of the 20th century. Many are still fascinated by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. A new movie, called Elvis, was released this summer, starring Austin Butler as Elvis and Tom Hanks as his scheming manager, Colonel Tom Parker. And, this month marks the 45th anniversary of Elvis’s death. Graceland, his former home, will celebrate with exhibits, concerts, giveaways and other events. Between the anniversary and pent-up demand from the pandemic, Graceland management is expecting a big turnout for the nine-day Elvis Week in August.

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On August 16, 1977, Presley was found dead at his Graceland mansion in Memphis. He was 42 years old. He began his singing career in 1954 and quickly became an international sensation. His hits included Blue Suede Shoes, Love Me Tender, Heartbreak Hotel and Return to Sender. He also starred in 33 movies. Here is a collection of archived pages and articles that the Calgary Herald published after Elvis’s death.

Front page of the Calgary Herald;  August 18, 1977
Front page of the Calgary Herald; August 18, 1977

Also up for auction this month is a special collection of jewelry that Elvis gave to Colonel Tom Parker. Reuters prepared this article about the auction.

Auction house reunites Elvis Presley’s ‘lost’ jewelry collection

WEST HOLLYWOOD (AP) — Elvis Presley experts and historians have long known about a collection of jewelry the singer gave to his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.

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Collectors and fans alike have spent decades searching for items thought to be lost. Thanks to Brigitte Kruse, founder and CEO of GWS Auctions, who found and assembled the pieces, they can now be seen together for the first time.

Two hundred items, including jewel-encrusted gold rings, cufflinks, watches and chains, will go up for auction on August 27. Also included is the guitar that Presley played during his famous 1968 “comeback” television special.

Presley’s ex-wife, Priscilla, worked with Kruse on the collection, although Priscilla does not own any of the pieces.

Priscilla Presley poses for a photo in front of a collection of personal jewelry belonging to Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been lost for decades and will be sold at auction in August, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, in Hollywood, California, USA. ., July 28 January 2022. The items were part of a lost collection and do not belong to Priscilla Presley.  REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
Priscilla Presley poses for a photo in front of a collection of personal jewelry belonging to Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been lost for decades and will be sold at auction in August, at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, in Hollywood, California, USA. ., July 28 January 2022. The items were part of a lost collection and do not belong to Priscilla Presley. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

“Well, it sure brings back memories,” Priscilla Presley told Reuters.

She added that it was a running joke with her ex-husband who was constantly buying or ordering jewelry for Parker because the manager already had everything he needed and the Presleys didn’t know what else to buy him.

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Priscilla Presley said she felt protective of the items because she designed some of them, including artifacts bearing the logo of the TCB Band, the musicians who formed the core rhythm section of Presley’s backing band in his later years. “TCB” stood for “take care of business,” a favorite expression of Presley’s.

Priscilla Presley supported the auction in part because she was tired of seeing so many fake Elvis artifacts for sale.

“There are so many products out there that are not authentic at all and that worries me,” he said.

“I want to know for sure that it will go to someone who will take care of him, will love him.”

A collection of personal jewelry belonging to Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been lost for decades and will be sold at auction in August.  REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
A collection of personal jewelry belonging to Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been lost for decades and will be sold at auction in August. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
More pieces from the collection to be sold this month.  REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
More pieces from the collection to be sold this month. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci Photo by AUDE GUERRUCCI
More items from a personal jewelry collection of Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been missing for decades.  REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci
More items from a personal jewelry collection of Elvis Presley and Colonel Tom Parker, which has been missing for decades. REUTERS/Aude Guerrucci

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