ELVIS PRESLEY: 29 YEARS LATER

It would be nearly impossible for a music writer from Memphis like myself not to write about the anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley. It's part of our culture around here--just something we take for granted.

I was listening to XM's 1950's channel, and one of the DJ's during an Elvis tribute said, with no irony whatsoever, "this is a special time for people in Memphis."

My first thought was "no...it's not." And it really isn't. Of the thousands of people who thronged Graceland last night for the candlelight vigil, the vast majority of them weren't from here. A Memphian's first thought, upon being reminded of the anniversary of Elvis' death is generally "great, more people to screw up traffic." To most of us, Death Day is a time when nobody can visit us because all the hotels are booked up. 99 percent of us wouldn't go anywhere near Graceland on two days out of the year: Death Day and Birthday. The 1 percent of us who would only do so because of living in the general vicinity.

Most of us stay out of Elvis' old neighborhood these days anyway. Graceland's grounds are beautiful, but outside those fences is a stinking cesspool of gang violence and ghetto living. It's not a place you want to be after the sun goes down. I used to live there, so I know. Gunfire and sirens provide the soundtrack of the night.

It's not that we don't care about Elvis. Elvis is part of our day-to-day lives here, from his music, to the geography we share across the plane of time. We've learned to live with him and accept him as part of our environment.

I don't mean to sound jaded. I made my visit to Graceland when Memphis people go, which, like I said, is any day besides those two. I marvelled at his body of work, his fleet of cars, his almost innumerable gold and platinum records, his extremely gauche decor, and his excess. I love his music, and I am glad that he pioneered many of the things we have in the music industry.

But the adulation...let's face it, the worship...they weren't how he would've wanted it to be. I certainly don't believe, from what I've seen, that he would've approved. And I know he wouldn't want us to remember the ugly scene that Ginger Alden found in the upstairs bathroom, as the once and future King lay dying in his own vomit, unable with all the money in the world to buy one last gasp of air.

If you want to remember Elvis on this, the anniversary of his death, do like this Memphian did. Pop in "Love Me Tender" and stay home with your loved ones.