Elvis has not left the building: On this 26th anniversay of the death of Elvis (no last name necessary) we continue to feel his presence through the phenomenal marketing power of his name.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is the business entity created by the Estate of Elvis Presley/The Elvis Presley Trust and is the modern-day evolution of the company identity under which the late Elvis Presley conducted business. EPE's board chairperson and sole owner is Lisa Marie Presley, daughter and heir of Elvis Presley. Her mother, Priscilla Ann Beaulieu Presley, as Executor of Elvis Presley Estate and president of Elvis Presley Enterprises 1979-1998, took an estate with a market value of about $3 million and virtually no income and built an enterprise with yearly revenues of an estimated $75 million and an estimated value of at least $250 million. That's quite a story, but the business of Elvis is worth even more now that he consistently tops the charts as the highest earning dead celebrity.

Today, Lisa Marie Presley controls the Elvis brand, which continues to be one of the most successful marketing properties worldwide through licensing arrangements. Elvis Presley Enterprises works with corporations and advertising agencies all over the world to incorporate Elvis Presley and Graceland into their marketing messages.

Before you consider naming your firstborn Elvis, you might want to consult a trademark lawyer. Elvis Presley Enterprises is very serious about "protecting and preserving the integrity of Elvis Presley, Graceland and other related properties" and it does so by judiciously selecting licensed products consistent with the Elvis brand, and making mutually beneficial agreements to share in the profits ensured by the positive value of this brand integrity. Such was the costly lesson learned by The Velvet Elvis nightclub.

Well, I've learned my lesson and now I know
The sun may shine and the winds may blow.
The women may come and the women may go,
But before I say I love you so,
I want
Money, honey.
Money, honey.
Money, honey,
If you want to get along with me.

Sessionography:
January 10-11, 1956, RCA studios, Nashville
producer: Steve Sholes
guitar: Scotty Moore
guitar: Chet Atkins
guitar: Elvis Presley
bass: Bill Black
vocals: Elvis Presley
drums: D.J. Fontana
piano: Floyd Cramer
back-up vocals: Gorden Stoker, Ben Speer, Brock Speer
words and music: Jesse Stone

For current news about Elvis, and to find out where he's playing these days, you might want to check out the not-for-profit fan magazine at Elvis News.