Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the legendary property that once served as Elvis Presley's home away from home, kicked off an unforgettable yearlong celebration in honor of the King of Rock 'n' Roll's 90th birthday earlier today.

Nearly 3,000 fans from around the world braved the cold and gathered at Graceland to mark what would have been Elvis Presley’s 90th birthday.

Elvis Aaron Presley, born January 8, 1935, in Tupelo, Mississippi, was one of the most influential figures in American popular music and would be turning 90 this year if he were still alive. The success of his legendary sound — that groundbreaking mixture of rhythm and blues,

I used to doodle Elvis during class, in second and third grade, drawing the King in his jumpsuit in the margins of my notepaper. I once told one of Elvis’ closest confidants, the late Joe Esposito, about this.