Elvis Presley, “The King of Rock and Roll,” suddenly passed away on Aug. 16, 1977, from a heart attack.
Conspiracy Theories
Although it is well-documented that Elvis didn’t live the healthiest lifestyle, indulging in prescription drug abuse and unhealthy eating habits, his death still came as a shock to many.
It didn’t take long for the rumors to begin swirling as to what may have actually happened regarding the death of the superstar.
One of the most popular theories is that Elvis was put into witness protection by the FBI after an incident involving the criminal organization called “The Fraternity.”
Gail Brewer-Giorgio, the author of the 1988 bestselling book “Is Elvis Alive?,” was quoted saying “Do I know if Elvis is alive today?
No, I don’t know … but I know he didn’t die on Aug. 16.” A second theory as to why Elvis wasn’t actually dead on Aug, 16, 1977, points to the incorrect spelling of his middle name on his tombstone.
Those who believe the theories say that the mistake was made on purpose, because putting his correct name would have been to taboo since he was still alive.
Elvis Sightings
There have been a countless number of supposed sightings of “The King” since his passing in 1977, some of which have gained some serious traction.
One of the most rumored sightings came in 1990 when Elvis was said to have appeared in the background of an airport scene in the famous movie “Home Alone.”
The earliest known alleged sighting after his death came at the Memphis International Airport, where a man resembling Elvis gave the name “Jon Burrows,” which was the same name Presley used when booking hotels.
There have been many, many more alleged sightings including in Michigan in the late 1980s, and in California in 1999.
BLACKPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Irish Elvis Presley tribute artist ‘The Emerald Elvis’ Mark Leen adjusts his jumpsuit and ‘TCB’ pendant August 15, 2002 at the Winter Gardens Theatre in Blackpool, England.
Mark is taking part in the ‘Elvis Experience’, the largest Elvis fan convention in Europe, opening today on the 25th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.
The $3000 jumpsuit is made by B & K Costumes of Clarksville Indiana, Elvis’s official costume makers. The pendant bears Elvis’s logo TCB – Taking Care of Business.
Sion Touhig/Getty Images
That $1 Million Radio Contest
Eleven years after his death, in July of 1988, a Nashville radio station that called itself ‘Y107, The Outrageous FM’ offered one of the most interesting contests of all time.
They were willing to offer up $1 million “to anyone who can bring the real, one and only Elvis Aaron Presley to Y107’s studio, for a one-hour exclusive interview.”
The station stated that “Hopefully, the $1 million reward will persuade Elvis to surface or put to rest all the controversy over his death.”
The conspiracy theory was featured in a 1990 video game “Les Manley in: Search for the King,” where the player attempts to find Elvis to win a million-dollar contest.
Unsurprisingly, Presley was never brought to the Nashville studio and the reward was never given out, although it did not come without attempts, as many impersonators were presented in attempt to swindle the reward from the station.
Whether or not Elvis actually was alive during this contest is unclear, however this was a great marketing tactic along with an opportunity for what would’ve gone down as possibly the biggest interview of all time.
