NORM: Elvis fan club will have star its way

June 29, 2008

A local Elvis fan club isn't feeling a whole lot of love from the Elvis Presley Estate.

The cold shoulder includes efforts to obtain a donation for Elvis' celebrity star on Las Vegas Boulevard and silence as far as offering input on where to install the star.

Letters were sent to everyone from Robert Sillerman, who purchased 85 percent of Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2004 for $114 million, to Prisicilla and Lisa Marie Presley.

"We have heard nothing in response," said Sue Laurenz, head of the Viva Las Vegas Club, the fundraising force behind getting Elvis a star.

The club has about $13,000 of the required $15,000.

"We're moving on. The fans have made it happen, and it's all fan money," said Laurenz, adding that she's seen donations as small as $2 and $5.

The Las Vegas Walk of Stars announced last week that Elvis' star will go in front of the Riviera on Sept. 26, the 27th star on the Strip.

Laurenz said Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee has been a saint in the effort, frequently promoting the fundraising drive during his show at Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon. All the proceeds have been raised since Feb. 28, a good share from foreign countries through the Internet.

The Web site is www.astarforelvis.com E-mail astar4elvis@yahoo.com for more information.

As for the oft-asked question: Why the Riviera?

The Riviera, Laurenz noted, is the closest casino property to the Hilton (then The International), where Elvis was a sensation from 1969 to 1977. She added that the county gave authorization to the Walk of Stars only along Las Vegas Boulevard.

"For what it's worth, Elvis was with Liberace in November 1956 at the Riv when those famous photographs were taken of the switched jackets and instruments," Laurenz said.

Stars for Sammy Davis Jr. and Liberace are in front of the Riv, "and I do believe Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin will be there, too. Elvis will be among his friends, and that is pretty special."

Source: http://www.lvrj.com/news/22628104.html

at the end of the day its the fans who will ensure elvis name music and legacy will live on and sad that there was no response from the estate so well done to all involved in las vegas