A statue of the youthful, beautiful Elvis Presley, dead 25 years today, stands in the middle of his hometown, Tupelo, Mississippi. Visitors who would expect to see such a tribute to the King in his birthplace would, however, be surprised to learn that the inspiration for this obvious memorial came from Swords, Co Dublin. The Irish have provided some of the most enduring and creative of Elvis Presley's fans, write Angela Long and Carol Duffy
Veteran Elvis fans Maurice and Maureen Colgan have been honouring the King for over 40 years, and one of their most prized possessions is a personal note Elvis wrote to Maureen when she was in hospital in the 1960s.
"We kept that fact secret for over 20 years," says Maurice. But the story of the get-well note helped win them a prize in an Elvis fans contest, of a trip to Memphis, especially Graceland, the lavish Presley residence.
In 1999 they also went to Tupelo, the Bethlehem of Elvis-lovers. "We were in the little house that Elvis was born in, and I noticed there was no monument to him around. So later I wrote to the mayor, Larry K. Otis, and suggested that a statue of Elvis as a young boy would be appropriate."
His idea was taken up with enthusiasm and on January 8th this year - what would have been Presley's 67th birthday - the statue, carved by Michail van der Sonnen of North Carolina, and at a cost of $50,000, was unveiled with due pomp.
"A reporter from the local paper, the Tupelo Daily Journal, was delighted when he found out that the idea came from an Irishman, and he's been keeping in touch ever since," Maurice said. "It's a beautiful statue."
The Colgans have also struck up a friendship with Elvis's cousin, Donna Presley Earley, who acts as a publicist and Kingly family ambassador.
Now Maurice plans to lobby for his next project: a statue of Sergeant E. Presley, resplendent in US army uniform, in the grounds of Graceland. And he has a letter from Jack Soden, chief executive officer of Graceland, thanking him for the suggestion.
You'll never beat the Irish, not even the Elvis fans. Another one, 18-year-old Martin Clancy from Leoville, Co Waterford, is living out a dream as he spends today's anniversary at Graceland.
Martin wasn't born when Elvis died, yet the teenager's lifelong ambition is being realised as he visits Memphis for "Elvis Week", touring Graceland and attending a number of events including a concert to mark the rock and roll legend's death on August 16th, 1977.
Speaking from his hotel near Elvis Presley Boulevard, the teenager said: "It is unbelievable to see the places where he stood, his microphone and his guitar, it's just brilliant to see and get a feel for it, the atmosphere is amazing." Martin, who will sit his Leaving Certificate next year, also visited Liberty Land, an amusement park near Graceland, which used to close to the public so Elvis could take his daughter and friends out for the day without being mobbed. Fans spent a night on the rides, which included Presley's favourite rollercoaster ride, while big screens in the park showed Elvis movies and concerts.
Martin also took part in a candlelit vigil last night, when close to 100,000 fans filed past the grave of the star in silent remembrance, watched by Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley from the window of the master bedroom at Graceland.
However, the highlight of the weekend takes place tonight, with Elvis playing a "live" concert in the Pyramid Arena.
The King's band-mates will perform live, while video images of the man himself are projected on to a giant screen. During the concert, the Waterford youth will be part of a group of official fan club members who make a presentation to Priscilla Presley.
The teenager became a fan of Elvis by accident after a long journey with his family when he was 16. A tidy-out of the car left him with nothing to occupy himself but a book entitled The Complete Idiot's Guide to Elvis and two Elvis tapes to listen to, all belonging to his father.
After reading four pages of the book and hearing American Trilogy, he was hooked. In the last two years he has accumulated over 100 CDs, 19 books on Elvis, eight DVDs with every film and every professionally recorded concert. He also has 20 of his 33 movies in a video collection and two concert documentaries, while the remaining 13 films have been videoed by family and friends from television.
The Waterford youth is also president of an international teenagers' fan club for the rock legend, which he founded in August 2001.
"Elvis is the true American dream and he still gave it all up to serve his time in the army, was generous to his family and friends and those less fortunate than himself. He donated large amounts of money to charity and never forgot his roots."
Martin denies that he is the butt of any slagging from his peers over his interest in a performer generally considered more suited to his parents' generation. Indeed, he claims to have converted a few friends.
"Many people, when they find out I am a fan, just ask questions about Elvis and are more curious than anything else. Like most fans I don't go around acting the clown wearing jumpsuits covered in rhinestones; to real fans that is just ridiculous. I like his music and respect him."
