Real person. Elvis Aaron Presley was born 8 January 1935, and is known as the King of Rock and Roll. He reportedly died on 16 August 1977, of a heart attack.
Fact or Fiction
The Utopia Conspiracy doesn't extensively explore Elvis's background, but several well-known theories about him already exist. Some claim he faked his death to escape public attention; some propose government involvement, with President Richard Nixon allegedly helping him due to concerns about mafia threats. According to these theories, he was reportedly removed by helicopter behind Graceland immediately after his supposed death, with a wax figure placed in his coffin to deceive family and fans.
A hidden island sanctuary like Utopia would have been an ideal refuge, if any of it were true.
Why Include Him in the Book
Lee Davies included Elvis because the moment when Sam and Lauren encounter his image on the island's beach needed to be surreal. Elvis was the natural first celebrity to feature on the fictional island, and felt right for the story from the start.