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Singer Elvis Presley is pictured in an undated, autographed publicity photograph.
LOS ANGELES -- Elvis Presley and The Beatles top the list of most-forged celebrity signatures in 2012, with less than half of their autographs for sale certified as genuine, memorabilia authenticators PSA/DNA said on Thursday.
The King and The Fab Four British rockers, who topped the list two years ago when it was last released, joined notable figures such as former U.S. President John F. Kennedy and late pop star Michael Jackson on the list of most-forged celebrity signatures.
Late American astronaut Neil Armstrong landed at No. 3 on the list, after fake Armstrong signatures rose significantly after his death in July.
One reason forgeries of Armstrong's autograph soared was that he rarely signed for fans during his life, Joe Orlando, president of Newport Beach-based PSA/DNA, told Reuters.
"Armstrong is someone who is very conscious of the value of his own autograph," Orlando said. "Even before he passed away he was very tough to get ... It really heightens the level of his market."
Secretaries and assistants responding to huge volumes of fan mail are one reason for fake signatures floating through the marketplace, said Margaret Barrett, director of entertainment and music memorabilia at Heritage Auctions in Los Angeles.
"Back in the day, the kids would write to the movie studios," Barrett said.
Lil Wayne tops Elvis Presley for most Billboard Hot 100 hits
Gerald Herbert / AP
Lil Wayne.
Lil Wayne is right above it, all right. The rap superstar has topped the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Mr. Elvis Presley himself, for charting the most Billboard Hot 100 hits for a solo artist.
Now that should put a smile on his face.
Lil Wayne taking a break from rapping
Per Billboard, the 30-year-old Wayne's latest entry is the Game's single, "Celebration," in which he's a featured artist along with Wiz Khalifa, Chris Brown and Tyga, which entered the chart at No. 82. With that milestone, "Tha Black Is Hot" MC now has 109 Hot 100 songs under his belt, surpassing Presley's mark of 108 that began with the chart's inception in 1958.
Out of those ditties, however, it's worth noting that Lil Wayne has only been the lead artist on 42 tracks with the remainder coming in featured appearances, while to Elvis' enduring credit, the "Jailhouse" rocker was the lead on every one of his 108 tunes that charted.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Also, several of the latter's classic gems, including "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender" and "All Shook Up" among others, topped the Billboard pop chart in the mid-'50s before the magazine hatched the Hot 100 in 1958, an all-in-one singles popularity standard that factored in radio airplay, retail sales and eventually digital sales and streaming activity.
Nicki Minaj backing Mitt Romney in Lil Wayne track?
The last Presley tune to crack the Hot 100 was "Rubberneckin," used in a Paul Oakenfold remix that came in at No. 94 in 2003.
Lil Wayne has just one hit to reach No. 1 in which he's the lead artist -- "Lollipop," though that fact doesn't take away from his musical achievement.
Congrats, Weezy!
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Elvis Presley's personal Bible sells for $94,000 at auction
Jon Super / AP
Containing approximately 1,600 pages with the singer's notations, handwriting and underlining throughout and with Elvis Presley and Holy Bible, embossed in gold on a leather cover, the Bible was given to Elvis Presley by his uncle Vester and Aunt Clettes Presley as a Christmas gift in 1957.
LONDON -- A Bible which once belonged to Elvis Presley and contains his handwritten notes and thoughts has sold for $94,600 (59,000 pounds) at an auction in England, the auction house said.
The Bible, given to the singer on his first Christmas at his home in Graceland in 1957, was bought by an American man based in Britain, Omega Auctions said on its website.
Video: Priscilla Presley says Elvis was 'caring father'
The religious book, used by Presley until his death on Aug. 16, 1977, was expected to fetch around 25,000 pounds but went for more than double its value.
But a pair of Presley's unwashed and soiled underpants, worn underneath his famous white jumpsuit during a 1977 concert, went unsold.
Video: Priscilla Presley says Graceland is a part of Elvis
Bids for the underwear reached 5,000 pounds, but failed to meet the 7,000 pounds reserve price.
Some of the singer's other personal items sold at the auction on Saturday included used cufflinks, a gold pendant chain/necklace and black Flagg Brothers shoes.
Video: Priscilla says Elvis may have become minister
The entire Elvis collection, owned by a single British collector, went for more than 100,000 pounds at Omega Auctions in Cheshire, north England.
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Pair of Elvis Presley's underwear could fetch $15,000 at auction
A pair of Elvis Presley's underwear, complete with stains, will be sold at an auction in Manchester, England, next month, the BBC reports. Presley wore the undies at a 1977 show before the auction house acquired them from Presley's father Vernon. The dirty drawers could fetch up to £10,000, or around $15,800. (Check out a photo of the skivvies at RollingStone.com.)
Also up for auction are Presley's personal Bible, which was given to him in 1957 and contains handwritten notes, and 16mm home movie footage taken by Priscilla Presley. The Bible is expected to go for £25,000, or around $39,500.
Omega Auctions will stream the auction live on Sept. 8.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
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Priscilla, Lisa Marie Presley remember Elvis, reveal his fear he'd be forgotten
Elvis Presley will never be forgotten. If his continued record sales and pop culture icon status don't prove that, then the thousands of fans who flock to his Graceland home to honor him each year do. But there was a time when some thought he would fade away, and the King of Rock 'n' Roll was one of them.
This year, as more fans than usual gathered to celebrate Elvis on the 35th anniversary of his death, his former wife, Priscilla, and their daughter, Lisa Marie, spoke to TODAY's Natalie Morales about the unexpected impact the legend had.
"I mean, when we opened (Graceland) in '82, we had no idea that we'd, you know, (we knew) we'd have some visitors, but not to this extent," Priscilla revealed. "I was told Elvis passed and that, you know, will be forgotten in the next couple of years -- life goes on. Thank God I didn't listen to any of those people."
Instead, she and Lisa Marie just listened to Elvis' faithful fans, who consider Graceland a sacred spot.
"I'm always really happy when I'm here," Lisa Marie, who was just 9 when her father died, explained of the massive and meaningful house. "It always reminds me of when I was the happiest, I think, in my life. It always just brings me back there when I come back."
According to Priscilla, part of what makes Graceland so special, is that Elvis' presence remains there.
"This was so much a part of him, this home," she said. "He loved this home. He always came back here no matter what. His presence is just all around, going into each room."
She believes that's what draws fans to the home, and it's his enduring presence everywhere else that makes him so unforgettable.
"That's the force of Elvis," Priscilla insisted. "I remember Elvis saying that he didn't really know if he gave up singing, if he did want to retire, he felt that people would forget him. And to see this every year? It's like, 'Oh my gosh, you were wrong. Look at this! Look what you do every year. Look who you bring.' It brings a smile to my face, because … if he only knew."
According to the Memphis Police Department, approximately 75,000 people participated in Wednesday night's candlelight vigil at Graceland.
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The King will be everywhere as Memphis hosts Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest
Elvis.com
Finalists from the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest take the stage in Memphis, Tenn.
"Elvis is everywhere," went the lyrics of an old song.
Those words might seem literal come Friday when rock 'n' roll icon Elvis Presley’s hometown of Memphis, Tenn., holds its Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. The contest, now in its fifth year, brings together more Elvis impersonators than you’d find during a long weekend in Las Vegas. And they should be strutting their stuff to a bigger audience than ever since this year marks the 35th anniversary of the death of the King.
How many are there? Well, 18 in all. And that’s just the semifinalists. In the preliminary rounds, dozens upon dozens rocked places as far away as Ontario, Canada, Queensland, Australia, and Kobe, Japan. Looks like there are more than a few people the world over who like to grease their hair back, hop into white jumpsuits, and revive such songs as "Jailhouse Rock," "Are You Lonesome Tonight?" and "Burning Love."
To get an idea just how many Elvis impersonators are around today, check out the massive collection of links on the Gigmasters Web page. And those are just links to would-be Elvises in the United States.
Enjoy a quick recap of The 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest that took place in Memphis, Tenn., during Elvis Week. For more information on The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest visit www.elvis.com/events/ultimate_eta_contest.
The massive collection of fake Elvises might all look and dress alike. Heck, they even might sing the same songs. But the 18 semifinalists are actually a pretty diverse bunch. Elias Jamhour, for instance, is from Sydney, Australia, and got into the semis by winning the Wintersun Festival’s Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist contest. He’s been doing his Elvis impression for seven years. Jesse Aron, meanwhile, is from Janesville, Wis., where he won the Rockin’ E Jamboree. He’s been keeping the King’s legend alive since 1998.
The semifinals are part of a much bigger celebration called Elvis Week, which began last Friday, Aug. 10 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 18. It’s a week filled with events fit for a, er, king -- specifically, the King, who made rock ’n’ roll a household word through hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel," not to mention umpteen movies. The events are designed for lovers of the big E and include a Graceland trivia tour, a luau dance party, book signings, panel discussions with record industry types, and lots of live music.
The concert most likely to cause a stir is Thursday’s Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert, taking place at the FedEx Forum. Besides starring “the real Elvis Presley” via video, it will feature his ex-wife Priscilla and daughter Lisa Marie. Elvis aficionados’ legs will be shaking when they hear who else will be playing. Musicians include DJ Fontana, who drummed on Elvis’ earliest hits, and the great James Burton, the guitar legend who influenced six-string strummers ranging from Jimmy Page to John Fogerty.
And if you happen to miss the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest semifinals, you can always catch the faux Elvises at a meet 'n' greet or while hanging out at one of the concerts. So Elvis really will be everywhere, if only in spirit. Somewhere, Uncle Jesse from “Full House” is smiling.
Tony Sclafani is an arts and culture writer whose first book is due out in 2013. His work can be seen at www.tonysclafani.com.
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Elvis Presley's crypt set to be auctioned off
The crypt in which Elvis Presley's body was first laid to rest before being moved to the grounds of his Graceland mansion is set to be auctioned off in June along with other memorabilia from rock music and sports stars.
Julien's Auctions Sports Legends and Music Icons sale will feature items from Rolling Stone guitarist Keith Richards and the late singer Amy Winehouse to basketball superstar Michael Jordan, the auctioneer said in a statement on Monday.
But the original Elvis crypt is likely to gain a lot of attention. Elvis, among the best known rock 'n' rollers of all time, died in 1977 and following his funeral at Graceland, his body was temporarily entombed in the crypt of a private mausoleum at Forest Hill Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
Phillip Harrington / "Elvis Presley's Memphis"
After about two months, both his body and that of his mother were moved to a permanent site in the meditation garden on the grounds of Graceland. Beverly Hills-based Julien's said the lot for sale includes the crypt, opening and closing of the vault for burial, memorial inscription and use of a small chapel for a memorial service.
The two-day sale on June 23 and 24 also includes a ripped t-shirt with "Hell" scrawled across it Keith Richards once wore while playing for the Stones.
A robe that Amy Winehouse used in her video for smash hit "Rehab" will be sold, as will memorabilia and clothing owned by David Bowie, John Lennon and Michael Jackson.
Sports items include a pair of shoes worn and signed by Michael Jordan, the hood of a race car signed by driving champion Tony Stewart and a Lance Armstrong skin suit worn in the 2003 Tour de France.
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