A Mississippi blues trail marker was placed Tuesday at the Tupelo birthplace of the legendary Elvis Presley. Tuesday would have been his 73rd birthday.

Presley is being honored for his contribution to Mississippi and America's blues heritage.

Throughout his career, the blues was an influence on Elvis' music, until his death in 1977.

"We've always known that Mississippi was the birthplace of the blues," said Alex Thomas, spokesman for the Mississippi Blues Trail. "We've always known that we had so many legends. Not only the king of rock 'n roll but B.B. King and the Father of Country Music. We had all of these people that were born in Mississippi and we wanted to celebrate that heritage."

Every year, 70,000 visitors come to Tupelo to Elvis' birthplace and to visit the museum built nearby.