Forty years after his death, the US celebrates King Elvis

Elvis Presley, an American legend who transformed popular culture and sold more than 1,000 million albums, is idealized more than ever on the 40th anniversary of his tragic death.

Graceland, his mansion in Memphis, Tenn., Will host more than 50,000 people who, it is estimated, will come to commemorate his disappearance on August 16, 1977, when the rock king was 42.

Presley is considered the highest-selling artist of all time, and in 2016 Forbes placed him in the fourth place of the most successful deceased celebrities with $ 27 million.

"He is the only person of modern times who is instantly recognized by his first name all over the world," said British author Ted Harrison, who wrote two books about Presley.

"You say 'Elvis' in Beijing, Nicaragua, Estonia or Fiji and everyone knows who you are talking about, beyond languages ​​and cultures," he told AFP.

His unique voice and style combined R & B, blues, country, gospel and black music, challenging the social and racial barriers of his time, and his characteristic hip movement when dancing earned him the nickname "Elvis La Pelvis."

Exuding style, charisma and sex appeal, Elvis became the fantasy of millions of women and a source of inspiration for all who came after, from The Beatles to The Rolling Stones and Bruno Mars, who currently leads the rankings.

"Listening to him for the first time was like getting out of jail," said Bob Dylan.

In the late 1960s, composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein called it "the greatest cultural force of the 20th century."