David Beckwith, Journalist and Gatekeeper of Graceland, Dies at 67

David Beckwith, the veteran journalist whose crowning achievement was his work representing Elvis Presley's Graceland museum since it opened more than four decades ago, has died. It was 67.

Beckwith died Friday in Phoenix (Jan. 19) after hip replacement surgery followed sepsis, announced fellow journalist Lynn Weiss.

Beckwith for many years also represented Wolfgang Puck, the annual Governors Ball dinner at the Academy Awards and Spago. With chef and agent Swifty Lazar, she arranged an extravagant dinner at Spago for industry heavyweights who weren't at the Oscars, complete with a big-screen TV to watch the show.

When Presley's home in Memphis, Tennessee, opened to the public for the first time in July 1982, Beckwith helped manage the 700-plus members of the media there for the inaugural press conference with Priscilla Presley. He continued his work with Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises until his death.

Born on April 28, 1956 in Albion, Nebraska, Beckwith graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. He began his career in 1979 at Rogers & Cowan and three years later started his own business, The Beckwith Co.

In 1979, he arranged a deal for Moet & Chandon to serve as the sponsor and exclusive champagne of the Golden Globes, with magnums placed on all tables and the label prominently displayed. It is still the official champagne of the awards.

The reporter also represented Freddie Gershon and Music Theater International along with the annual Entertainment Lawyer Fellowship for Teachers with the Kennedy Center and Stephen Sondheim.

Beckwith has been a pioneer in the LGBTQ+ community, serving on the local and national boards of the Human Rights Campaign and instrumental in creating Los Angeles' Outfest, the world's largest LGBTQ+ film festival.

Survivors include Dietrich Nelson, his partner of 42 years and wife of 15 years, and Eddie's pets, Arlen, Daisy and Doris.

This article originally appeared on THR.com.