The King rocks on

Thirty years after his death, Elvis still has folk all shook up.

There is nowhere in the world Jacqueline Feilich (pictured) would rather be than Memphis, Tennessee, in August. So that's where the 36-year-old Elvis tribute artist (the term Elvis impersonator is frowned on by the faithful) will be, along with an estimated 100,000 other Elvis Presley fans.

This year's annual Elvis Week runs from August 11 to 19 and marks the 30th anniversary of the King's death, on August 16, 1977, on the toilet of his Graceland mansion from a drug overdose and complications from heart disease.

"I couldn't think of not going," says Feilich, who has been twice before.

"There is something amazing in the air. Everyone there shares a love and a passion for Elvis.

"You are almost dripping all things Elvis when you are there."

Hundreds of events are planned in Memphis for Elvis Week, including a street parade, an emotional candlelight vigil at Graceland, where Elvis is buried, a concert in which his backing musicians accompany video footage of Elvis singing, collectables fairs, exhibitions of Elvis-inspired artworks and demonstrations of his favourite recipes, such as bread stuffed with bacon, peanut butter and grape jam.

There will also be speeches and autograph sessions with celebrities who were close to Elvis, tours of Graceland and various tribute artist competitions. There are so many Elvis tribute artists that entrants are split into 1950s, 1960s and 1970s categories.

At least two Australian travel agents are sending tour groups to Memphis for the celebrations.

Melbourne agency Jetset Brighton runs an 11-day holiday to Memphis costing $7925 for a single or $6317 a person for a couple. Jetset Brighton owner Anne Fitzgerald has been on similar tours twice before, both times led by her husband, Melbourne radio DJ Peter O'Callaghan from 1278 Magic.

"I am a fan now, although I didn't start out that way," she says. "At first I thought it was a bit weird, I couldn't believe my eyes at how big the thing was and how full-on the fans were. I just became immersed in his life and music."

She says the camaraderie on the Elvis Week tours is closer than that of other tour groups. "Other people might share a desire to see a glacier or the Eiffel Tower, but these people arrive with a close bond between them."

Parramatta's Harvey World Travel is also taking a group to Graceland, as part of a 22-day trip that also visits Las Vegas, New Orleans (where it will visit locations from the 1958 Elvis movie King Creole) and Tupelo (Elvis's birthplace). The tour, run in conjunction with the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Australasia, will visit Memphis for eight days and will be restricted to 100 people. Tickets cost $6600 for flights, accommodation and all travel.

Club president Jim Porter, 48, who is leading the tour and has been to Memphis 15 times since 1984, says the biggest buzz is meeting fans from around the world.

"The English send a lot of fans, but they are pretty sedate. The most fun are the Brazilian and Argentinian fans. They are like us Aussies, they just want to party."

Sydney's Explore Holidays runs an 11-day tour that visits Nashville, but includes an overnight stopover in Memphis and a trip to Graceland. The tour runs between April and October and costs $6990 a person.

Fun fact

Before he became a star, Bruce Springsteen jumped the fence at Graceland and asked to speak to "The King" before being ejected by security.