Happy Birthday, Elvis! Wink Martindale, fans gather to celebrate the King at Graceland

There were songs, cake, celebrations, proclamations and a historic reveal as fans gathered at Graceland early Monday morning to mark what would have been Elvis Presley’s 89th birthday.

The annual ceremonies honoring the Memphis music icon — born Jan. 8, 1935 — took place on Graceland’s North Lawn, as several hundred fans braved frigid temperatures to mark the occasion, capping three days of Elvis birthday festivities at the entertainer’s home and museum complex in Whitehaven.

The event was hosted by Sirius XM/Elvis Radio disc jockey DJ Argo. Following brief remarks by Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden and Memphis Tourism President Kevin Kane, EPE managing partner Joel Weinshanker took to the podium and teased future plans at Graceland.

Alluding to the recent NBC holiday musical special “Christmas at Graceland,” Weinshanker noted that Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough (whom he referred to as “the future of Graceland”) had said that it was “so great to have music back in the house.”

"That’s really going to be the theme of the next two years," Weinshanker said. "You’re going to be amazed at how much music is going to be back at this house, on the property, and what we’re going to build to make that happen."

However, Weinshanker added no specific details, and Graceland officials did not respond to The Commercial Appeal’s requests for further comment. Previous plans to build a concert arena at Graceland were tabled in 2019, following objections by the City of Memphis in relation to their contracts and non-compete clauses with the Grizzlies and FedExForum.

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Weinshanker then introduced recently inaugurated Memphis Mayor Paul Young, who thanked the national and international visitors to the Bluff City who made up the bulk of the assembled crowd.

“It’s so beautiful to see so many people who have traveled from all across the world to be right here in Memphis to celebrate the birth of a Memphis legend,” Young said. “Elvis Presley represents so much of what is right about Memphis.”

Afterward, Memphis broadcasting legend Wink Martindale — one of the featured guests during the previous days’ Elvis festivities — read a ceremonial proclamation from the City of Memphis and Shelby County marking Presley’s birthday.

“Elvis gave the world hundreds of unforgettable songs… [His] unparalleled style and artistry continues to thrill audiences, create fans and inspire new generations of musicians throughout the world,” read Martindale. “On this 8th day of January 2024 [we] celebrate the life, the work of Elvis Aaron Presley and call on [Memphis/Shelby County] residents to recognize the King of Rock 'n' Roll.”

This was followed by fans singing “Happy Birthday” as a towering Elvis-themed cake was brought out. It was later sliced and served to fans at Graceland's Vernon’s Smokehouse.

The ceremony closed with a surprise, as EPE officials revealed they had acquired the original acetate of Elvis’ first commercial recording, “That's All Right,” made by Sun Records founder Sam Phillips — who took it to local radio station WHBQ on July 6, 1954, where legendary DJ Dewey Phillips played it on the air, launching Presley’s career.

Martindale noted that he was “the only living person who was there at WHBQ [that] night.”

“Sam Phillips walked in with his acetate recording he’d made of this truck driver called Elvis Aaron Presley. [Dewey Phillips] played it 14 times in a row — it’s all people wanted to hear," he said. "The switchboard lit up like a Christmas tree. And the rest was history.”

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With that, Graceland Archives head Angie Marchese brought the acetate on stage. A portable record player was then set up, and the record was played live for the audience.

As Martindale dropped the needle on the disk, the scratchy sound of the nearly 70-year-old recording gave way to the thrilling rhythm of Presley, guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, and their nervy cover of the Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup classic. As Elvis' voice warbled the opening lines, a frisson of excitement was palpable as the audience cheered and applauded.

“How about that history right there?” DJ Argo said. “This record, this acetate that got played on the radio, that’s the reason we’re all here right now!”

Immediately following the ceremony, the acetate was placed in the “Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum” at Graceland, where it will be on display as part of the permanent collection.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Graceland celebrates Elvis Presley birthday with fans, Wink Martindale