Hardcore fans of Elvis Presley marked the 35th anniversary of his death on Thursday after cheering his ex-wife and daughter who thanked them for their enduring love of the king of rock 'n' roll.

Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley spoke for little more than a minute at the start of an all-night candlelight vigil the night before at Graceland, the mansion where Presley died suddenly on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42.

But it was enough to thrill the tens of thousands of mainly older but passionately dedicated crowd that filled the six-lane Elvis Presley Boulevard awaiting their turn to file up the driveway to pay respect to their idol.

'I know this is something Elvis would never ever have believed would have taken place here,' said Priscilla, in a white suit, looking out over a sea of candles across all six lanes of Elvis Presley Boulevard.

'You know this: he loved his fans, and this is proof that you love him... We thank you very, very much for all that you do to keep his legacy going on and on and on,' she said.

Lisa Marie, 44, who opted for a dark outfit, said: ''I've always avoided this because I thought it would be too emotional but I really felt it was important to come down here tonight and be with you.

'We love you. I love you very, very much and I am honored to see you here and we're grateful that you are in our lives and we�.