Thousands of Elvis Presley fans braved 105-degree heat at Graceland in a graveside procession ahead of the 30th anniversary of the singer's death.
Some fans began lining up early in the morning for the candlelight vigil, setting up umbrellas and folding chairs on the sidewalk along the four-lane Elvis Presley Boulevard.
The procession, with fans walking mostly single-file and holding candles, filed up Graceland's long winding driveway and past Presley's grave in a small garden beside the white-columned house. Many fans carried flowers, stuffed animals and other small gifts to leave at the grave.
The heat led to the death of a woman (67), whose body was found yesterday afternoon inside a trailer at a Graceland campground.
The legendary entertainer died 30 years ago today at age 42 of heart disease worsened by drug abuse.
The vigil is the most popular and solemn anniversary event in a week-long string of concerts, dances, movie screenings and other festivities put on by Graceland.
AP