Thousands of devotees converged on Graceland to mark the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death and got a surprise welcome from the King's former wife and daughter, the first time Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley have appeared together at the annual gathering.
The two women appeared on an elevated stage in front of the crowd Wednesday night, the eve of the Aug. 16 date when the rock and roll icon died at home in 1977 from a heart attack after battling prescription drug abuse.
Fans held up lit candles, illuminating their faces in orange light as they stood in the street outside the gates of Graceland, Elvis' longtime home and his burial place.
'You should see this from our point of view. It's amazing,' Priscilla Presley said, standing alongside Lisa Marie. 'The candles are lit. It's truly a sight to behold.'
The two women stunned the crowd with their unexpected appearance. It was the first time both of them had appeared together at the annual gathering.
Later, fans who participated in the vigil moved up the tree-lined driveway to the right of the mansion, where the gravesite is located near a swimming pool. Heart-shaped wreaths made of red and white flowers lined the entrance to the site.
Mourners walked slowly through the tomb area, their candlelight casting shadowy figures against a stone wall.
Some teary-eyed fans laid flowers on the gravesite, where Presley's father Vernon.