Elvis Presley Becomes Citizen of Budapest

He may be more associated with being hungry than being from Hungary, but that hasn't stopped peanut butter, banana and bacon sandwich-loving rock and roll legend Elvis Presley getting made an official citizen of Budapest.

Despite famously hailing from Tupelo, Mississippi (via Memphis, Tennessee), the late musical megastar has had posthumous residency rights conferred upon him by the Hungarian capital. The move is in recognition of the singer's connection to the country's unsuccessful 1956 uprising, the Guardian reports.

Presley paid tribute to the struggles of the Hungarian people during a January 1957 appearance on the 'Ed Sullivan Show'. The young rock and roller performed 'Peace in the Valley' in recognition of the crushed revolt against Soviet-led rule some two months earlier -- and asked the show's host to encourage donations from the watching millions. In total, 25 million Swiss francs were pledged, according to current Budapest mayor István Tarlós.

As well as belatedly making him a burgher of the city on the Danube, Tarlós confirmed that a landmark will be renamed in tribute to Presley, explaining "The reasons for honouring Elvis are not sentimental but political." The King's fellow Budapestites will pick the final spot via an online vote.

On the shortlist to join Graceland and Sun Studios a essential spots on the Elvis tourist trail: one end of the city's second oldest public river crossing, the Margaret Bridge, a square opposite the Mom Park shopping mall, and 10 other public plazas.

Budapest's only current geographical shout out to the 'Suspicious Minds' singer is apparently Elvis Presley Boulevard, a dirt road near the home of Hungary's premier Elvis impersonator, Laszlo Komar..

Elvis' Presley's 'Peace in the Valley'