All shook up, 30 years later; It was 30 years ago today that the King of Rock 'n' Roll died. The Journal's Jule Wilson looks at how Elvis Presley's legacy lives on.

ON August 16, 1977, the body of Elvis Aaron Presley was found on his bathroom floor after he had taken a cocktail of sleeping pills. He was aged just 42.

But the phenomenon that was The King undoubtedly lives on - as the growing list of hits to his name demonstrates.

And so does his ever-increasing army of dedicated fans and impersonators, many in the North-East.

Semi-professional Elvis impersonator Owen Curran, 59, has spent around pounds 8,000 of his own hard-earned cash in homage to his idol over the years, and describes Elvis as "electrifying".

He said: "I've been doing gigs as an Elvis tribute for around seven years now, and it all started by accident.

"I was always a big fan but it wasn't until I met my partner at a karaoke bar and she asked me to sing an Elvis number that I realised how much I sound like him. He's literally become my life."

Owen, of Greens Place, South Shields, still cuts grass as a gardener in Sunderland by day, but can swiftly transform into an all-round lip-curling entertainer.

He said: "I've won all sorts of soundalike competitions, including the Busker of the Year, which I did as Elvis in around 2001, and the prizes I've been awarded have only made me admire Elvis more.

"I've been lucky enough to stay at the Heartbreak Hotel and visit Graceland, and both were fantastic experiences."

An Elvis fan since he first hit the music scene in the early 1950s, Pat Thompson, 63, recently returned from her first pilgrimage to her idol's home, Graceland, in Memphis, USA.

She said: "I had an American pen-pal and she would send me Elvis's records before we'd even heard of him over here in 1954.I had always wanted to travel to Graceland and I can hardly believe I have stood where he stood, and touched things that he touched.

"The visit has made me feel that much more close to him. There just aren't the words to describe it. When Elvis died I was off work for two weeks I was so devastated. It felt like losing a member of my family, and I know that sounds daft but that's honestly how it felt."

Pat, a retired home-help of Eshott Close, West Denton, Newcastle, said if money was no object she would make the trip an annual event.

She said: "The highlight for me was the Presley memorial garden, because it isn't just his grave that's there. His parents, his stillborn twin brother and his grandmother are all there, and it makes you realise he was a real man, somebody's son."

Tonya and Jim Mann, of Wrekenton, Gateshead, run the Tyne and Wear branch of the Elvis Presley fan club and at least 60 people turn out to their regular events, during which Jim plays The King's many hits.

Tonya, 37, said: "We have well over 100 members and we have recently begun a website which, in the first six weeks has had more than 500 hits."

Jim, 36, simply explained: "The response to Elvis is overwhelming even now because Elvis was so overwhelming."

Top ten Elvis songs (if he came from the North-East)

1. I Can't Help Felling in Love With You.

2. It's Now or Netherwitton.

3. Rock-a-Wooler Baby.

4. Hetton-le-Hole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On.

5. A Fool Such as Ireshopeburn.

6. Crying in the Chapel-town.

7. That's All Ryt-on, Mama.

8. A Little Less Central Station (A LittleMore Acklington).

9. You're the Devil in Dis-guidepost.

10. All Crook Up.

CAPTION(S):

LONG LIVE THE KING: Jim and Tonya Mann, who run the Tyne and Wear branch of the official Elvis Presley fan club.; GOING STRONG: North-East Elvis impersonator Owen Curran.; LEGEND: Elvis impersonator Derek Patterson.; SIGNED: Ken Smith of Wallsend changed his name to Elvis.