An estimated 15,000 fans gathered outside the gates of Graceland in Memphis to mark the 33rd anniversary of rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley's death.
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Presley, who was said to have long abused prescription drugs, died of a heart attack at his estate on Aug. 16, 1977. He was 42.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal said his admirers carried candles to a flower-strewn grave Sunday night.
They braved temperatures that reached 118 degrees on the "heat index," an Elvis fan said.
"It was a tough year marketing-wise because there's not a big anniversary ending with a zero or a five," Kevin Kern, public relations director of Elvis Presley Enterprises, told the Appeal.
"However, going by ticket sales to our other events this week, we were very pleased."
