What image, splashed across the front page of the National Enquirer, became a chilling testament to the enduring fascination with Elvis Presley, even in death? The infamous photograph of the King of Rock and Roll, lying in his coffin, remains a haunting symbol of both the man's immense fame and the tabloid's relentless pursuit of a sensational story.
The date was August 16, 1977. The location: Graceland, Elvis Presley's iconic Memphis mansion. The news: the sudden and unexpected death of a cultural icon at the age of 42. The world, already reeling from the loss, watched as the press, and a throng of devoted fans, descended upon the gates of Graceland. Among the many news outlets vying for coverage, one publication stood apart, driven by a singular, and some would argue, morbid, ambition: the National Enquirer. Their objective was clear: to capture the ultimate scoop, a picture of Elvis in his coffin.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elvis Aaron Presley |
| Born | January 8, 1935, Tupelo, Mississippi, USA |
| Died | August 16, 1977, Memphis, Tennessee, USA (Age 42) |
| Cause of Death | Heart Failure |
| Occupation | Singer, Musician, Actor |
| Genres | Rock and Roll, Pop, Country, Gospel, Blues |
| Instruments | Vocals, Guitar, Piano |
| Years Active | 19531977 |
| Spouse | Priscilla Presley (m. 19671973) |
| Children | Lisa Marie Presley |
| Significant Albums | Elvis Presley (1956), Elvis' Christmas Album (1957), G.I. Blues (1960), Blue Hawaii (1961) |
| Notable Achievements | Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1971), Sold over 1 billion records worldwide |
| Website Reference | Official Elvis Presley Website |
The events leading up to that fateful day are etched in the annals of music history. The last known photos of Elvis, snapped just days before his death, show him, his then-girlfriend Ginger Alden, and his daughter Lisa Marie driving through the gates of Graceland on August 12, 1977. These images, though poignant, offered no hint of the tragedy to come. The subsequent shockwaves rippled throughout the world, turning Memphis into a focal point of grief and media frenzy. The press, from mainstream news outlets to the less scrupulous tabloids, swarmed Graceland, each vying for a piece of the story.
The National Enquirer's approach, however, went far beyond standard reporting. They had a very specific mission, one that centered on the macabre. They weren't interested in the outpouring of grief from the fans, the reflections on Elvis's musical legacy, or the speculation surrounding his health. Their focus was singular and unrelenting: to obtain a photograph of Elvis Presley in his coffin. To achieve this, they enlisted the help of a distant cousin of Elvis, Billy Mann, providing him with a high-tech, low-light mini-camera to capture the shot.
The resulting image, which appeared on the cover of the National Enquirer on September 6, 1977, remains a potent and controversial piece of journalistic history. The cover photo, an image of Elvis's corpse in an open coffin, became the subject of intense debate. Some considered it a violation of privacy and a disrespectful act. Others saw it as a reflection of the public's fascination with celebrity and death. The photograph, often referred to as "Elvis in the Box," became a defining image of the event, capturing a moment of profound loss for millions.
The photograph's circulation sparked widespread condemnation and accusations of exploitation. Many found the image to be a tasteless intrusion upon the Presley family's grief. The National Enquirer faced criticism not just for the publication of the photograph, but also for the manner in which it was obtained, using a family member to gain access. The ethics of tabloid journalism were under fire, questioning the lengths to which publications would go in pursuit of a sensational story.
The days following Elvis's death were a blur of activity in Memphis. His body was put on display in an open casket for public viewing for two days prior to his funeral. On August 17th, fans queued up, some for hours, to pay their final respects. Eyewitnesses, like June Walden, were present to witness the solemnity of the moment and the collective outpouring of grief. The viewing, meant as a gesture of respect and to allow fans a final farewell, added another layer of drama to the already heightened emotions surrounding Elviss passing. Thousands of fans converged on Memphis in the days following Elvis Presley's death. So many, in fact, that President Jimmy Carter ordered 300 National Guard troops to assist with crowd control, a testament to the sheer scale of the phenomenon that was Elvis Presley.
On August 18, 1977, the funeral of Elvis Presley took place in Memphis. Mourners lined the streets to watch the procession, which carried his casket from Graceland to Forest Hill Cemetery. Pallbearers carried the casket containing Elvis's body into the mausoleum, a scene captured by countless cameras. The funeral was a massive undertaking, reflecting the King's immense popularity and the impact he had on the world. He was buried in an $8,000 casket, identical to the one used for his mother's burial, a detail that added a layer of personal significance to the proceedings.
The images from the funeral, though widely circulated, did not carry the same shock value as the National Enquirer's cover. They showed a grieving public, a solemn procession, and the finality of death, but the open-casket photo remained the ultimate, unauthorized glimpse into the privacy of the deceased. The picture, taken by Billy Mann, was a calculated move, designed to capture the publics attention and boost the publications sales. It succeeded in doing so, but it also left a lasting, and often negative, impact on the public perception of the National Enquirers methods.
The legacy of the "Elvis in the Box" photograph extends far beyond its initial impact. It remains a potent symbol of the intersection of celebrity, death, and the media. The photograph continues to spark debate about journalistic ethics, the boundaries of privacy, and the publics insatiable appetite for the lives of the famous, even in their final moments. It serves as a constant reminder of the power of images to shape public perception and the enduring, and often controversial, influence of the tabloid press.
The controversy surrounding the photo continues. The image of Elvis reposed in his casket has become the most famous final photo of the king. It raises questions about the motivations behind its creation and the impact it had on both Elviss legacy and the National Enquirer's reputation. The photograph also fuels speculation, with some suggesting the image doesn't show the actual body of Elvis Presley, giving rise to conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the image and Elvis's passing itself, even though many confirm its authenticity.
The story of the "Elvis in the Box" picture is a complex one, touching upon themes of grief, exploitation, and the enduring power of celebrity. It highlights the role of the media in shaping public perceptions and the lengths to which some publications will go to capture a sensational story. While the photograph remains a jarring image, it also offers a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the late 20th century and the enduring fascination with the King of Rock and Roll.
