Elvis Presley died on August 16, 1977. Presley was born on January 8, 1935 and was 42 years old at the time of his death.

Elvis’ death on August 16 puts him on the same death date as several other American cultural icons, including Mississippi Delta blues king Robert Johnson (1938) and baseball’s Sultan of Swat Babe Ruth (1948)., and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, who was born in Memphis and died on August 16, 2018.

One year after Presley’s death, a small group of fans gathered outside the gates of Graceland for the first candlelight vigil to commemorate his life and death. Since that first memorial, Elvis fans have paid their respects to the King every year for the past 46 years.

ELVIS IN OVERTON PARK: Insights into the historic 1954 Memphis concert that launched King’s career

Over the years, the anniversary of Presley’s death in August has evolved into a cultural event now known as “Elvis Week,” attracting tens of thousands of fans to Graceland each year, some of whom make the pilgrimage each year.

Since Presley’s home at Graceland opened in 1982, more than 23 million people have visited it.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: How old was Elvis Presley when he died, and in what year?