http://www.elvisnews.com/images/various/people_toddmorgan_january2008.jpg

 

 

Todd Morgan, who for years has been Graceland's "public face," was found dead in his apartment. Todd Morgan has been at Graceland since it was opened to the public in 1982. He started as a tour guide.

 

It had not been announced publicly yet, but Todd had just been promoted to a new position and was to report directly to Gary Hovey in Los Angeles, though he would remain in Memphis. He was due to go out to dinner last night with friends to celebrate his promotion, but did not show. Reports are he must have died in his sleep last night.

 

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Todd’s family and friends. Rest in Piece, Todd.

 

 

Update, statements from EPE and Lisa Marie Presley:

 

"We at Graceland have suffered the loss of one of our most beloved family members. Todd Morgan passed away on Saturday at the age of 45 from what was believed to be a massive heart attack, he was found by friends at his East Memphis home Sunday morning after he didn’t show up for a pre-planned gathering."

 

"Todd made a career out of Graceland, starting out as a tour guide in May of 1983 following his graduation from the University of Mississippi. In his 25 years as a faithful and loyal Elvis Presley Enterprises employee, Todd played a major part in the development of Graceland as an attraction and in the many projects produced by EPE that have allowed fans all over the world to celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley."

 

"We are truly saddened by this devastating loss and will miss him dearly. Details of services have yet to be determined but we will post them as soon as we are made aware by his family.

 

Statement from Lisa Marie Presley:

 

"Todd's sudden and untimely death is a huge shock and a great loss for us personally and for EPE. He has been an incredible gift and Gem in all of the 25 years that he worked at Graceland. He was so unbelievably devoted to us, to my Father and to his job. His heart, soul and his dedication could never be replaced. This is just nothing but sad and awful for everyone, our prayers and hearts are with him and his family. He will be deeply missed."

 

LMP and family.

 

 

 

Statement from Priscilla Presley:

 

 

"I am still in shock and disbelieve in the untimely death of Todd Morgan. This is a great loss for all of us who knew and loved him. He was one of Graceland’s original employees starting as a young, bright and enthusiastic kid who always knew how to bring a smile or a laugh to any situation good, bad or indifferent. My heart goes out to all of you who worked with him on a daily basis and to his family who should know how much he was loved by all of us. He will be missed and irreplaceable."

 

Priscilla Presley

 

 

Update from Commercial Appeal (Memphis Newspaper):

 

Todd Morgan, the public face of Graceland for more than a decade, was found dead in his East Memphis home Sunday morning.

 

Early indications, friends said, point to a massive heart attack, although an autopsy is planned. Morgan, director of special projects for Elvis Presley Enterprises, was 45.

 

"We've lost a great friend and a great part of the Graceland family," said Jack Soden, chief executive officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

 

Friends became concerned when Morgan failed to show for dinner Saturday night. They called, but got no answer.

 

When Morgan's friends couldn't reach him Sunday morning, they went to his home and saw him on the floor through a window.

 

Firefighters forced entry into the house on Chickasaw and found Morgan collapsed in his bedroom. It appeared he'd died sometime early Saturday afternoon, Graceland public relations director Kevin Kern said.

 

"This comes as a great shock," said Kern, who was hired by Morgan. "To lose somebody at 45, it's hard to believe."

 

Morgan began working at Graceland in 1983 as a tour guide, driving to the Whitehaven mansion while still a student at Ole Miss, Kern said.

 

He became familiar to fans and media from around the world as the Graceland spokesman, particularly during Elvis Week, before moving on to new roles.

 

One of those roles, Kern said, was as a producer of Elvis projects. Morgan helped spearhead the "Elvis: Live" concerts which debuted in the early 1990s with Elvis appearing on stage via concert footage meshed with live performances by his former band members, backup singers and others.

 

"That was his concept. He brought it to life, and the first concert sold out Radio City Music Hall," Kern said.

 

Morgan, who grew close to Priscilla Presley, had planned to go to Los Angeles to attend a taping of her upcoming appearance on "Dancing with the Stars.

 

Although friends said Morgan wasn't a devoted Elvis fan before coming to Graceland, that quickly changed once he began working there.

 

"I worked with Todd for three and a half years, and he had a devotion to preserving the legacy of Elvis. He could well be Elvis' No. 1 fan," Kern said. "The Elvis world has suffered a great loss. He's an expert, and he helped shape the legacy."

 

Added Soden: "He knew how to be a very professional, strategic and very smart steward of the legacy."

 

Friends began gathering at Morgan's home Sunday afternoon.

 

"He's the nicest person I've ever met," David Burton said. "He took a lot of interest in (his friends's) lives."

 

Friends said they were unaware of any health problems Morgan might have had.

 

Morgan was single with no children. His family began arriving in Memphis Sunday afternoon from Clarendon, Ark. Funeral arrangements were still pending.

 

This is such sad news :( Todd was a good friend of Elvis fans and a big Elvis fan himself. He's going to be sadly missed. Our condolences go out to his family and friends. R.I.P Todd.

Awwwwwwww, thats sad, R.I.P. Todd :(

Todd Morgan at the Elvis Week 2007 Candlelight Vigil Commencement Todd's last Vigil :(

 

Video courtesy of Jason Edge at Elvis International

 

 

Todd Morgan at the Elvis Week 2007 Candlelight Vigil Commencement Todd's last Vigil :(

 

Video courtesy of Jason Edge at Elvis International

 

 

 

Thats great , thanks for posting that Carole. :)

The 2nd Part of the Vigil Commencement with Todd Morgan

 

 

These are the arrangements for the services for Todd Morgan from the EPE site:

 

There will be a small, private family service on Thurs., March 6 at 2:00 p.m. in Clarendon, AR at:

United Methodist Church

121 N. Third Street

Clarendon, AR

 

Elvis Presley Enterprises is planning a memorial service for the public in mid-March in Memphis, TN. Details will be announced soon and posted here.

 

Notes of condolences for the family may be sent to:

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Attn: Morgan Family

3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.

Memphis, TN 38116

 

A memorial fund is currently being set up with the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music to benefit the newly-created Todd Morgan Sound Fuzion Performance Enrichment Fund. Sound Fuzion is a touring ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists which represents the University at high schools, corporate functions and University sponsored activities, in addition to performing as part of the Music School's annual concert season.

 

Sound Fuzion is a group Todd loved and supported. He felt this was a great way to see the legacy of Memphis music continue to grow and develop in future generations.

 

Memorials may be sent to:

 

University of Memphis Foundation

The Todd Morgan Sound Fuzion Fund

Music Building

3775 Central Ave.

Memphis, TN 38152

 

Source: EPE / Updated: Mar 5, 2008

 

Todd is certainly going to be missed. I know it's early days, but the person who replaces him has a hard act to follow. I just hope that whoever he/she is, that they are as big an Elvis fan as Todd was :mellow:

Let's hope the next person is a big Elvis fan like Todd was Carole.He will surely be missed :(

Public Memorial Service for Todd Morgan

 

A public memorial service honoring the life of valued and long time Graceland employee, Todd Morgan, has been set for April 1st, 2008 from 6PM to 7PM CDT at The Rose Theater on the campus of The University of Memphis. Family, friends, co-workers and members of the Elvis fan world that Todd loved so much are all invited to attend this gathering at the 900 seat auditorium located on the U of M main campus in East Memphis.

 

Due to the enormous number of lives Todd impacted through his service to Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and the Elvis legacy, this public memorial service will have a predetermined lineup of invited guest speakers and special musical performances.

 

If you wish to share a condolence message at the service, you can do so by posting a message at this online GUEST BOOK. Every effort will be made to include all of the messages posted in this guest book on a video screen inside the auditorium before and after the service.

 

A memorial fund is currently being set up with the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music to benefit the newly-created Todd Morgan Sound Fuzion Performance Enrichment Fund. Sound Fuzion is a touring ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists that represents the University of Memphis at high schools, corporate functions and University sponsored activities, in addition to performing as part of the Music School's annual concert season.

 

Sound Fuzion is a group Todd loved and supported. He felt this was a great way to see the legacy of Memphis music continue to grow and develop in future generations. Click here to learn more about Sound Fuzion.

 

Memorial donations can be made payable to: University of Memphis Foundation

 

Source: EPE / Updated: Mar 13, 2008

 

What a lovely gesture! Todd was a great music fan :cheer:

 

That is a great gesture

Touching Memorial Service for Todd Morgan

 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/Todd.jpg

 

Not one seat was empty, last Tuesday evening for the Memorial Service for Graceland spokesman Todd Morgan. The picture, sent to ElvisMatters by Joe Moscheo, shows the final song of the ceremony: Joe Guercio conducting the Imperials, Terry Mike Jeffrey and Ruby Wilson. One of the people who could get in, was "Seattle Susie Q". This is her report, straight from the heart.

 

I’m sitting in the back of the auditorium now. By myself, near the sound board. There are a couple of people in the first 2 rows that appear to be family members. I see Jerry Schilling and Gary Hovey chatting.

 

Scott Williams just came in. This is tough. Big hug, repeating what we’ve already said – wish it could be seeing each other under happier circumstances.

 

The Service begins - “Peace in the Valley” accompanies lots of pictures of Todd growing up. What a hoot!

 

More pictures of Todd, voiced over by Bill Rock with the story of his life. There is video of Todd throughout the years with EPE. Background music is “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. Video of Todd at last year’s 30th Anny concert. Video of Todd with Matt Lauer. Pictures of Todd and his charities. Pictures, many pictures, of Todd and friends. His favorite song now under the voiceover: "My Way".

 

The Imperials come on stage and sing “Peace in the Valley”. My throat is tightening again.

 

Jack Soden – Todd deserved credit for far more than anything you’ve seen him get credit for. From the beginning fans knew they had a kindred soul in Todd. He fought their battles and showed them wisdom when he thought patience was the better path.

 

Jack’s voice is cracking. He talks about the all-nighters. He talks about rewriting scripts for the next day. Todd would ask about Lisa – would she ever appreciate what we do? Reads statement from Lisa. His heart soul and dedication will never be replaced. I hope he knows how much I appreciated how much he did. Words can hardly describe what we have felt in this time.

 

Sound Fuzion plays “A Little Less Conversation”. Awesome! Making me cry just thinking about Todd watching them.

 

Kevin Kern – Todd was my boss, but more of a friend than a coworker. Todd was the voice of Graceland, Now the voices of Graceland workers. (He quotes a number of them but I hope they post these because I cannot type fast enough. "Nobody did Steel Magnolias better than you." "Quiet kindesses."

 

Video clips of Todd on camera. Todd with a beard talking about the Graceland wall. Todd in the car museum, Todd with Matt Lauer. Larry King’s tribute.

 

Jerry Schilling – March 3rd – I needed to call Todd about the end-all documentary he’s been interested in. I couldn’t believe it when Gary Hovey called me later that day to tell me that Todd was gone. Normally on at a time like this (the service) I would show Todd what I was going to say. We’ll all never be as eloquent without Todd. (His voice is cracking). Todd knew I had a book before I knew it. I thank him for his time, his expertise, and most of all for his friendship. Col. Beaulieu said “what I loved the most about coming to Graceland was to come to hear Todd speak”. I can’t imagine Elvis week without Todd. But as someone said, the show must go on. But because of all the work he did over the years we will always feel his presence. Priscilla called, too and I’ve never heard her so devastated.

 

Video from Priscilla - Priscilla’s videotaped message was wonderful. You could hear her voice cracking as she mentioned that Todd was supposed to have come out to cheer her on in Dancing With the Stars. She said had he been there he would have said “Love your hair. Hope you win”. It was an ongoing thing they had. We’ll miss him, she said.

 

Gary Hovey – Todd and I worked together. He was the creative guy and I was the one when I tried to make it work. (Voice cracking). I met Todd in 1990. No one cared about Elvis more than Todd. One day he called and said “Can you get Elvis’ voice track out of a video”? Well, why not? … led to the Symphony, then on to the Elvis the Concert. Stig Egren, the producer, says working with Todd was the most fun he’d ever had. Todd was a perfectionist for all things, big or small. It was a working relationship between us, but also a friendship.

 

Todd always took the time to explain to the fans why something they wanted couldn’t happen, not just that EPE couldn’t do it. Todd named me Dr. No for all the things I had to say no to. At the end of last year Todd had been moved into my department. We had lots of projects we were going to work on together. We will miss his caring, his Candlelight talks. Nobody will replace Todd. In 2003 we got to do something we had been dreaming about – remastering the ’68 Special. During the edit, we had an hour left in the editing room. That’s when we put together what is now known as the “black and white” If I Can Dream.

 

Justin Morgan, Todd's brother – he never said "love your hair hope you win to me". Thanks to EPE for the immense support. Growing up Todd was such a support to me and our brother Trevor. A guide, a champion, a refuge for me through my best times, my worst times. Funny cards, a great listener. Great memories. For my 11th birthday Todd was still a tour guide and he arranged for a tour of Graceland for me. It was a huge treat for me, including the special treatment he arranged. At the end of the tour Todd gave me a on the life and times of EP. All the guides, including Billy Smith signed it, including Rising Sun (!). Later in life, the big tribute concert at the Pyramid, with all the musicians who were heroes of mine. At the end of the show Todd put a VIP pass around my neck. We went upstairs, there was Joe E. First person in the room is James Burton. I met them all – the Sweets, Ronnie Tutt. I was overwhelmed by the whole thing. I’m usually talkative but I was speechless that night. Todd was not only my brother but my friend. Words cannot describe how much my family misses him right now. We all shared a passion for music and we used to sing all the time. But we couldn’t get him to sing much. But one of the songs we did sing together was “Lead Me”. Todd and I would often sing this together in the car. Being on the stage with some of the people who worked with Elvis at such an event was not what he had in mind, but this is for Todd.

 

Justin sings “Lead Me” a cappela. He has a beautiful voice and this is so, so sad.

 

Terry Mike Jeffrey – I’ve known Todd for 22 years. We used to compete unofficially in Elvis trivia. One of Todd’s favorite Elvis songs was “Wonder of You”. He sings this with the Imperials. Asking the Imperials was impromptu, as they didn’t do it this way in rehearsal.

 

Joe Moscheo – I haven’t been appointed spokesman for the vocal groups Elvis sang with. But I think I can speak for all of them when I say we’re going to miss Todd. He was our best friend. He had a way of making you think everything was ok. He was someone you trusted. It’s difficult these days to have someone you can trust. He was sympathetic to our cause, which was gospel music. When we were planning the “He Touched Me” DVD he was so instrumental in helping us with details. His life was too brief. We will miss him.

 

Larry Edwards – friend of Todd. I direct Sound Fuzion. That’s how I met Todd. Todd had a way of making everyone feel good about themselves. He had the ability to make everyone feel important. Todd refurbished a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in Memphis. He knew what he wanted and was looking for another one. He found one and on closing day he invited some of his friends went with him to see it. He told us “I found the ugliest ranch house in Memphis”. And he did! We were at this house after he died and we were sitting around talking about this house. There wasn’t any “ugly duckling” that he didn’t think was beautiful and he made everyone feel good.

 

Joe Guercio - Joe told several stories about working with Todd but I couldn't get them all.... "After I did something with the Pope he called me “Pontiff”. When he did something particularly great I “promoted” him to “Cardinal” and that’s the way he signed his emails from then on. First time he walked into my condo in Nashville he saw a picture I had of Judy Garland. He was a huge Garland fan. So in honor of his love of Judy, Ruby Wilson sings “Over the Rainbow”.”

 

Oh my. How beautiful. Makes my heart ache. I requested this song on Bill Rock’s show in memory of Todd, but because Elvis never recorded it, he had to pick my second choice, “He Touched Me”.

 

Joe says "the night we finished mixing the new version of "How Great Thou Art" with the Imperials and the Stamps I called Todd and we played this version for him over the phone. This is for you, Todd. " Ruby sings with the Imperials and Joe is conducting.

 

It was a beautiful service. We got the chance to chat a little with everyone afterward. It's clear to me how much the "bigwigs" are missing Todd. Jack said he bets there isn't a soul on earth who didn't have a high opinion of Todd. Jerry is still reeling from not having Todd to bounce ideas off of. Scott tells me they still start many sentences at Graceland with "Todd did.." or "Ask Todd..." etc. Life goes on there, but it's still very surreal that Todd isn't there. Thanks, EPE, for doing so right by Todd.

Published: april 2nd 2008 10:53 PM.

 

Source: ElvisMatters / Published by: ElvisMatters - Peter Verbruggen

 

It sounds as if it was a very beautiful service for Todd :wub: It was well deserved because Todd was a special friend to all us Elvis fans and seems to be universally admired by Elvis fans everywhere

 

Sounds like the service was a very special one. :wub: