Today marks 45 years since Elvis was found dead in his Graceland bathroom in gold pajamas. The pop star’s death hit his millions of fans around the world like a bomb. Reverend Fred Omvlee was only 11 years old at the time and barely knew the music. “Actually, Elvis only started living for me then,” he says. The Reverend is organizing a special commemoration tonight in the Resurrection Church in Monnickendam.
The 11-year-old Fred Omvlee only knew Elvis as ‘The fat man from TV’. Due to the death of ‘The King’, the music could be heard more and more on radio and TV. “From that moment on, the spark flew,” says the pastor. Omvlee has gone on a pilgrimage to Graceland as a fan to touch the grave of Elvis Presley. He organizes annual meetings during the birth and death anniversary of ‘The king of rock and roll’.
The rougher work
During the commemoration tonight, records will be played and sung. Casper Live is an Elvis tribute artist and sings along in style that evening. “You can’t match his voice and his talent. But it’s about getting as close as possible,” says Casper. Not only will gospels be sung in the church, but also ‘The rougher work’, says the pastor. “You can dance.”