Presley, Elvis, 1935-1977 Sightings

Since Elvis Presley's death on August 16, 1977, various discredited conspiracy theories have circulated stating that he may still be alive. "Elvis sightings" from people claiming to have seen him alive after this date are a phenomenon both as an ironic meme and also as part of a genuine belief for some. In the early 1980s, the possibility of Presley still being alive was a niche topic discussed by a fringe demographic of fans in underground zines. It crossed over into widespread media attention in 1987 after a woman named Louise Welling falsely claimed to have seen Elvis at a Burger King in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The absurdity, "Middle America-ness" and the sound of the name "Kalamazoo" made for an ironic, light story in newspaper and television outlets. Theories and misinformation on the topic were then widely popularized by authors Gail Brewer-Giorgio and Major Bill Smith, who were given a platform by American and international media. Two TV specials that perpetuated these theories, The Elvis Files and The Elvis Conspiracy, aired internationally in 1991 and 1992. Since then, popular interest in the topic has waned but "Elvis sightings" have stayed resonant as a part of pop culture. The conspiracy theory itself has become iconic as an example of the "genre" and a forerunner of the post-truth era, going on to influence many other theories including QAnon.