Like every year, this year too, thousands of people are expected to gather today (and all this week) in Memphis, Tennessee to remember and honor the “phenomenon” Elvis Presley, the rock singer who died on this day in 1977, in age 42 years.

Known as “The King of Rock and Roll” or simply “The King”, Elvis Aaron Presley is considered one of the greatest entertainers in the history of the show, with timeless hits such as “Hound Dog” , which scandalized the demure audience of the time with its bold hip-swaying, Suspicious Minds and the romantic Always on my mind and I can’t help falling in love with you.

On August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee, Presley was found by his fiancée, Ginger Alden, lying on the floor in his Graceland estate home.

He was taken to Baptist Memorial Hospital where at 3:30 p.m. his death was announced at the age of 42. In a press conference later, doctors announced that the death was caused by cardiac arrhythmia, which was caused by a large dose of drugs.

Presley’s funeral was a national event, attended by friends, fans and journalists.

An estimated 500,000 people, as well as 1,000 police and 300 National Guardsmen, lined the streets of Memphis as “The King” made his final drive through them.

He was originally buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, next to his mother, but for safety reasons the remains were moved to Graceland. After his death, various rumors began to circulate, from how he died to whether he is still alive.