KING OF ROCK 'N ROLL DIES AT 42
Memphis, Tennessee (JFK+50) On August 16, 1977, Elvis Aaron Presley*, acclaimed as the 'King of Rock 'n Roll,' passed away suddenly at his Graceland home here in Memphis.
Elvis was found motionless in his bathroom at 1:30 p.m. local time by his girlfriend Ginger Alder. He was rushed to Baptist Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 3:30 p.m.
An announcement was made by father Vernon Presley, who said...
"My son is dead!"
Elvis, age 42, was scheduled to fly to Portland, Maine that evening to continue his 1977 concert tour.
JFK+50 NOTE
An autopsy indicated Elvis had 'mild hypertension' and 'undetected coronary disease,' but said nothing about drugs or lifestyle. Death came four minutes after a coronary arrhythmia.
According to John Beifuss of the Memphis Commercial Appeal, later press reports state that Elvis had evidence of 14 drugs in his blood including codeine and morphine.
*Elvis Aaron Presley (1935-1977) was born in Tupelo, Mississippi & moved to Memphis, TN at age 13. EAP signed with Sun Records in 1954 & RCA Victor in 1955.
EP's 1st hit single went #1, 'Heartbreak Hotel.' RCA sold 10 million Elvis singles in a year. EP made his debut in films in 1956 with 'Love Me Tender' & served in the U.S. Army.
SOURCES
"Elvis Presley Dies At Graceland," JFK+50, August 16, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/
"What was the real cause of Elvis Presley's death? A look back at the King's 1977 death," by John Beifuss, August 15, 2025, Commercial Appeal, www.commercialappeal.com/
