Thirty-four years ago today, Elvis Presley left the proverbial building for good (or so most think). But not without a little fanatical kicking and screaming.

The staunchest of fans believe his death on Aug. 16, 1977, was merely a ruse, orchestrated to usher him into his less public life as an undercover Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agent. The less, er, irrational cling to hope that various YouTube videos and fan photos posted on the Internet are, indeed, proof that the “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” is still among us.

On this date in ’77, Elvis was found in his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn., and later pronounced dead at a local hospital as the result of a heart attack brought on by his affinity for prescription barbiturates. His grave site at Graceland draws hundreds of thousands of believers (at least those who’ve come to some sort of grips with his passing) each year.

The young Mississippian turned unlikely teenage idol captured the affections of girls everywhere with such hits as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Love Me Tender.” But his hip-shaking, pelvis-gyrating ways didn’t win over many adults. (“The Ed Sullivan Show” did its part to preserve the decency of the airwaves by filming the crooner from the waist up.)

The heartthrob parlayed his singing career onto the big screen, and turned his attention from concerts to movies, including popular titles like “Blue Hawaii” and “Viva Las Vegas.” The move was indicative of a shift in the King’s relevance among the youth of America and changes in rock ‘n’ roll in general.

Unlike his wildly successful early career, Elvis’ later years were marked with few hits, declining health and an expanding waistline. His addiction to culinary indulgences is well documented and includes the iconic peanut butter and banana sandwich, which is nearly synonymous with the King himself.