Forbes shows: Elvis, we’re stuck on you

Elvis Presley is still the King. Forbes magazine’s annual list of the “Highest-Earning Dead Celebrities” is again led by the rock ‘n’ roll icon who died Aug. 16, 1977, but remains a potent profit engine, not only for his music and memorabilia sales but also for the licensing value of his likeness.

Presley pulled in $45 million between October 2003 and October 2004 to lead the list for the fifth consecutive year. He was followed by “Peanuts” creator Charles M. Schulz ($35 million), John Lennon ($22 million), Andy Warhol ($16 million) and Theodor Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss ($10 million).

A good portion of the names on the magazine’s so-called “Lucky 13” list remain the same year in and year out, but the new names this time included three of the recently departed: Marlon Brando ($9 million), Johnny Cash ($7 million) and Ray Charles ($6 million).

Geoff Boucher