It would have been the King’s 75th birthday this Friday 8 January and fans across the world will take part in a variety of events to celebrate his legacy on this landmark occasion, reported The Independent.

Elvis meets Richard Nixon in 1970. Source: White House photograph by Ollie Atkins

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington will be marking the event with a new collection of portraits ranging from realistic portrayals to mythical, spiritual and earthly images by such artists as Andy Warhol, Ralph Wolfe Cowan and Red Grooms, The Washington Post reported.

Meanwhile, Sky News reported that a new i-phone application has been released to honour Elvis on his birthday; Pocket Elvis features 150 phrases from the King impersonated by comedian Mitch Benn.

According to The Voice of America, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio will be launching a new exhibit titled “75 Years of Elvis”.

And the celebrations are not limited to the northern hemisphere; The Sydney Morning Herald described events taking place in Parkes, a town in New South Wales that has been recognising the late King’s birthday since 1993. The New South Wales birthday bash has a Las Vegas theme this year and will hold an Elvis impersonator competition.

The biggest celebrations, however, will be held in Elvis’s hometown, Memphis Tennessee, where 8 January 2010 has already been declared Elvis Presley Day. The town will celebrate with a variety of live music events and exhibitions, reported the Associated Foreign Press, and the late singer’s ex-wife Priscilla and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley will take part in a cake-cutting ceremony on the sprawling front lawn of the King’s former home, Graceland.