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Elvis Presley immortalized by fans, and still matters (VIDEO)

By April MacIntyre Aug 16, 2011, 18:04 GMT

An Elvis Presley cutout is positioned next to memorabilia including a chair he allegedly sat in and a lamp from his Graceland home are displayed at the Boondocks Cafe near Lead, South Dakota, USA, 11 August 2010. EPA/MIKE NELSON

Elvis Presley fans from all over the world flocked to Graceland in Memphis, TN to pay tribute to the music legend on the anniversary of his death Tuesday.

American music was forever changed by the likes of Elvis Presley. The 1950s exploded with fantastic music, including the Blues which had influenced the traditional delta acoustic Blues, artists like Robert Johnson and the electric guitar-fueled sound which ignited a new rock and roll revolution.

Artists like Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Fats Domino produced hits that crossed over to white audiences, and the effect on white musicians was powerful too.

'Shake, Rattle and Roll' was the first song that Elvis Presley sang on national network television appearance on the Dorsey Brothers' 'Stage Show'. Many music critics believe it was that appearance that catapulted him to national stardom in January of 1956.

Elvis' contract with Sun records had just been bought by RCA in November, 1955. He had been with Sun since July of 1955.

Throughout all of his RCA recording years, critics noted that Elvis drew from Country and Western, R&B, blues and gospel influences.

Even white hot 1960s phenomenon group The Beatles cited Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Buddy Holly as their musical influences.

On the anniversary of his death, 34 years after the fact, Elvis is still cool.

Graceland expects over 20,000 mourners to pay respects, where Presley lived and where he is buried in the meditation garden.

The singer died there in 1977 from a heart attack at the age of 42.

A message from his daughter, Lisa Marie Presley, was read to the gathered masses. "Thank you so much for being here and continuing to honor the legacy of my father," she said. "Your ongoing love and support mean very much to me and my family." She also promised to attend next year to commemorate the 35th anniversary of his death.