Bachman wishes Elvis happy birthday - on anniversary of death

Republican presidential candidate Michele Bachmann got her Elvis Presley dates all shook up during a campaign stop in South Carolina.

The congresswoman from Minnesota played the Elvis tune 'Promised Land' at a local restaurant and told the crowd of 300 that she wanted to say happy birthday to the king of rock ’n’ roll.

“Before we get started, let’s all say happy birthday to Elvis Presley today,” Ms Bachmann said.

But August 16 is the anniversary of Presley’s death, in 1977, and someone in the crowd shouted back: “He died today.”

Ms Bachmann did not respond and launched into her speech, but she corrected herself later as she spoke with reporters, noting the date marked Presley’s death, not his birth. He was born on January 8, 1935.

“As far as we’re concerned, he’s still alive in our hearts,” Ms Bachmann said.

She has stumbled over cultural references before. In June, she kicked off her presidential campaign in Waterloo, Iowa, calling it the home of American actor John Wayne. The town was actually home for a time to serial killer John Wayne Gacy.