King of rock 'n' roll reaches semi-divine status 40 years after his death

Memphis

PILGRIMS come all day every day, filing past in silence, fighting back tears as they place mementos at Elvis Presley's gravesite, pausing to reflect, take pictures or say a prayer.

More than 600,000 fans visit each year, paying tribute to the icon of popular culture, the once rebellious sex symbol turned family entertainer of whom John Lennon said "before Elvis there was nothing".