German 'hometown' marks Elvis's birthday

A German town the only place Elvis Presley lived outside the United States celebrated The King's 70th birthday yesterday with a series of shows and events.

German fans, clad in jean jackets, hats and T-shirts bearing the name of The King, flocked to the spa town. The singer lived here from October 1958 through February 1960 while stationed as a soldier.

"His voice was magic: there was so much soul, so much heart in it," said Isolde Sueltemeyer, a classical musician from Cologne.

Sueltemeyer, now retired, was lucky enough to secure a room on Friday in the art deco Grunewald Hotel where Presley lived upon arriving in Germany.

Complaints from other residents that his rehearsing was disruptive forced him eventually to find his own house.

She was one of several fans who gathered Friday to walk in the footsteps of the man many Germans credit with bringing rock 'n' roll to Europe.

An exhibit at Germany's national museum, Haus der Geschichte, or History House, in the former West German capital of Bonn also commemorates the singer's unique roll in the history of music here.

Included in the exhibit, which runs until February 27, are countless artifacts gathered by Claus-Kurt Ilge, including a tape recorder and dozens of albums that Presley gave to him before returning to the United States.

Ilge has been instrumental in raising Bad Nauheim's profile as Germany's home of Elvis, but argues the city could still do more.

For years, he says, he has crusaded to have the street in front of the Grunewald Hotel renamed in honour of Presley, but local politicians have been reluctant to do so.

Ulrich Schlichthaerle, head of the city's tourism office, says officials are only now realising their city's connection to The King can raise its profile.

"Out of more than 100 spa towns in Germany, we are the only one that can claim a 20th-century artist resided here," Schlichthaerle said.

"Many of them have connections to Mozart, Beethoven or Brahms, but only we have Elvis."

The events marking his birthday yesterday included a Las Vegas show, a gospel concert and walking tours of places. It was organised by local authorities and the local Elvis Presley Association.