Elvis is alive: diehard fans convinced elvis lives as this preacher

Elvis Presley’s sudden death in 1977 at the age of 42 stunned the world and gave rise to claims the music icon faked his death. The pioneering Rock’n’Roll singer from Mississippi would have

turned 84 on January 8 if not for his death on August 16 in Memphis, Tennessee. Diehard fans of Elvis’ venerated music, however, are convinced Elvis faked his death at the peak of his career

to avoid the pressures and pains of fame. Many have now spectacularly claimed to have tracked down the “real Elvis” to a small parish in central Arkansas. Pastor Bob Joyce, a singing

preacher from Benton, Arkansas, is believed by many to be Elvis living in self-imposed exile. The preacher, whose deep baritone is a hallmark of his church service, is known by his local

community for his bringing music into the house of God. This has led many to believe pastor Joyce is the real deal – the King of Rock’n’Roll himself. Linda Songer, who saw pastor Joyce sing

on YouTube, said: “Hey, if Elvis is still alive and living a good healthy life now with people he loves, all power to him and I wish him well.” READ MORE: ‘ELVIS IS ALIVE’ FRENZY AS NAME ON

SINGER'S GRAVE REVEALED AS ‘WRONG’ ON 84TH BIRTHDAY Madeline McCall said: “I’ve listened to Elvis all my life and there is a unique way in which he sang from his diaphragm to his very

heart. And the way his voice was portrayed in each song with heart. “I say yes It’s Elvis. No one can have these values or uniqueness that was his own. No one could ever take that from him.”

And Richard Abney wrote: “Definitely looks and sounds like Elvis to me! If it is, I wish he would come out of hiding. I’m sure the fans would understand.” There are however those who are

unconvinced by the conspiracy theory, claiming there are too many differences between the way Elvis looked and pastor Joyce. READ MORE: FBI FILES ‘SHOW ELVIS WAS PUT INTO WITNESS PROTECTION’

AMID SAFETY FEARS Some online comments have suggested pastor Joyce simply looks too young to be the 84-year-old Elvis. Others point out pastor Joyce’s brown eyes do not match the colour of

Elvis’ blue eyes. Georgie Bailey commented on YouTube video: “Are we supposed to believe that is Elvis singing?” And Al Richter said: “This man is too young to be Elvis.” Pastor Joyce

himself has repeatedly denied being the iconic singer and has attempted to put the conspiracy theories to rest. The preacher humbly said in a statement: “Most of these folks know I am not

Elvis but to them it doesn’t matter. “They are only so grateful that God is blessing them and reviewing their lives. “Perhaps God is using Elvis voice to minister to broken hearts and broken

lives. “If Elvis were alive, I would say to him, my friend and brother, we are of kindred spirits. We are one in Christ.” Elvis died nearly 42 years ago in his Memphis home Graceland

following a heart attack.