10June2008 Graceland, Memphis Tn
Graceland is located on Elvis Presley Boulevard. Elvis bought Graceland in 1957 when he was 22 and lived there till his passing in 1977. He was buried in a family plot, together with his parents, in the Meditation Garden by the swimming pool.
Each year, over half a million people, who lived their youthful years during the reign of the King, came to pay homage. Most visitors were well over 50. The property was over 13 acres but the Mansion itself was relatively modest compared with present day ‘homes of the rich and famous’. Elvis, coming from very poor beginnings, must have thought the house was lavish. There were three TV’s in one of the rooms. Elvis had them installed when he learnt that was how the US President got his news. Presumably, everything was state of the art and the best money that can buy at the time.
The Hall of Gold - the trophy room - was the most impressive section of Graceland. It housed an amazing display of the King’s gold and platinum awards. Seen all in one place (and not spread over two decades), we were dumbfounded by the prodigious body of work the King has achieved. The accolades and humanitarian awards from charitable work were also impressive. His last tours, played on a big screen in the Hall of Gold, elicited tears from the serious aficionados!
The section called Sincerely Elvis showed the evolution of his stage costumes from karate inspired two-piece suits to the famed jumpsuits with elaborate embroidery, rhinestones and matching capes. (Sigh), he is the King, there is nobody even close.
The 33 vehicles he owned were displayed in the Elvis Automobile Museum. Visitors were able to enjoy footage from movies in which these cars appeared.
The King and his entourage flew in style as well. We checked out his two customized jets parked nearby. The Convair 880 named after his daughter Lisa Marie was really gaudy and kitschy – it had everything from gold-plated seat belt buckles to gold flecked sinks. But there were signs of neglect and both planes looked tatty.
The Private Presley section contained photos, clips of interviews and other memorabilia from his two years in the army. He was inducted in 1958 and served Germany. In fact, that was where he met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu.
Retracing Elvis’ career from a diffident 17-year-old, cutting his first record at Sun Studio, to becoming King was the most enjoyable part of the tour. His rendition of the American Trilogy on his last tour says everything for me. The evolution of his music and performing style with the maturing of his voice was fascinating. The Hall of Gold puts all this and his achievements in perspective.
The part of Graceland that I did not like was the crass commercialism. There were umpteen gift shops with themes based on the slightest excuse - the gift shop next to the Private Presley section sold army outfits and accessories. All Elvis-lovers wanted to keep his memory alive. Since memorabilia helped, this yearning was preyed upon. I have to confess we bought a few souvenirs too.
We had dinner at BB King’s. The live band was very entertaining. The whole place was jumping. We joined the crowd. Mammy, with a few others, was invited to do a few gyrations on the stage as well! A side road just off Beale St was cordoned off as a pedestrian freeway. It was busy with revelers late into the night. There were cops patrolling on segways but everybody was just having a good time.
Distance traveled 24.6 miles
Well, at least we know we're at the right place
Can't help including these of the King!
These two as well
Haven't seen this poster before? It was on the way to the ticket booths
Finally we're at the entrance of the Mansion at Graceland
Graceland has been designated a NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
"This property possess National Significance as the Home of Elvis Presley, an extraordinary artist whose music united American roots music - gospel, country, blues, honky-tonk, rhythm n blues, pop and made a pivotal contribution to the creation of a new kind of American music: Rock n Roll"
March 27,2006
National Park Service - US Department of the Interior
Elvis with photo of his father and mother below
The sitting room - its really not that big
Painting of a youthful Elvis next to the stairs that led to the bedrooms but these are off limits for visitors. Elvis passed away upstairs.
The kitschy 'jungle' room with Elvis' favorite chair.
The lounge where Elvis watched TV
Elvis had three TV's on like the President of the USA
The pool room where Elvis hung out with his guys
When there was paper work to be done, this was the office. His father later continued to use this as his work place. It's really quite plain and understated
A scale model of the tiny 'shotgun' house in Tupelo Ms where Elvis was born on 8Jan,1935. The Presleys moved to Memphis Tn when Elvis was 13. (Shotgun house - a house so small that a gunshot can enter through the front door and exit from the back door)
This was probably a pumphouse which was turned into a smokehouse by Elvis' father Vernon; later it was used by Elvis and his guys as a firing range
Elvis had a gym built in Graceland with full facilities
The pristine grounds around the Mansion
Sideview of the Mansion
A happy Elvis in his early days as a star
Elvis with his parents and uncles
Elvis' electric stage presence and inimitable style had many ladies swooning
Cuttings from newspapers in the fifties stating that Elvis was the first artist to break through culture barriers. Teenagers responded to the implied rebellion seen in his performances. More mature audiences were won over by his polite, disarming nature offstage and his generally clean-cut down to earth attitude.
One of the many costumes he wore in his films
The intricate design of the King's jumpsuits
His biggest hits of the 50's - Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel
How many gold or platinum records did he have?
From one of his most successful early movies - Jail House Rock
Elvis Aaron Presley married Priscilla Ann Beaulieu on 1May,1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. After their honeymoon in Palm Springs, there was another reception for friends that did make it to the first one
One of the posters from Elvis' many movies
The King's LP's (33rpm vinyl Long Playing records) were wildly popular
When Elvis returned to performing before live audiences, he broke attendance records in cities like Las Vegas, Houston and New York. The 1968 Comeback TV Special marked his triumphant return and his TV documentary "Elvis, That's the Way It Is" had super ratings in 1970
Just a sampling of the costumes he wore on his stage appearances
More chartbusters on the walls of the Hall of Gold with costumes he wore showcased.
The screen on the wall showed his wildly successful shows in totally soldout venues
Statues gracing the Meditation Garden
The token kidney shaped pool
Elvis, rest in peace
Elvis buried next to his parents and other close family members
Sincerely Elvis housed the largest collection of Elvis' stage costumes
The King's pink Cadillac - I think it was used in one of his movies also.
The Convair 880 named after his daughter Lisa Marie
Private Presley - exhibits covered Elvis' Army induction in 1958 till his honorable discharge in 1960
Peanut butter and banana sandwich - one of Elvis' favorites
Each year, over half a million people, who lived their youthful years during the reign of the King, came to pay homage. Most visitors were well over 50. The property was over 13 acres but the Mansion itself was relatively modest compared with present day ‘homes of the rich and famous’. Elvis, coming from very poor beginnings, must have thought the house was lavish. There were three TV’s in one of the rooms. Elvis had them installed when he learnt that was how the US President got his news. Presumably, everything was state of the art and the best money that can buy at the time.
The Hall of Gold - the trophy room - was the most impressive section of Graceland. It housed an amazing display of the King’s gold and platinum awards. Seen all in one place (and not spread over two decades), we were dumbfounded by the prodigious body of work the King has achieved. The accolades and humanitarian awards from charitable work were also impressive. His last tours, played on a big screen in the Hall of Gold, elicited tears from the serious aficionados!
The section called Sincerely Elvis showed the evolution of his stage costumes from karate inspired two-piece suits to the famed jumpsuits with elaborate embroidery, rhinestones and matching capes. (Sigh), he is the King, there is nobody even close.
The 33 vehicles he owned were displayed in the Elvis Automobile Museum. Visitors were able to enjoy footage from movies in which these cars appeared.
The King and his entourage flew in style as well. We checked out his two customized jets parked nearby. The Convair 880 named after his daughter Lisa Marie was really gaudy and kitschy – it had everything from gold-plated seat belt buckles to gold flecked sinks. But there were signs of neglect and both planes looked tatty.
The Private Presley section contained photos, clips of interviews and other memorabilia from his two years in the army. He was inducted in 1958 and served Germany. In fact, that was where he met his future wife Priscilla Beaulieu.
Retracing Elvis’ career from a diffident 17-year-old, cutting his first record at Sun Studio, to becoming King was the most enjoyable part of the tour. His rendition of the American Trilogy on his last tour says everything for me. The evolution of his music and performing style with the maturing of his voice was fascinating. The Hall of Gold puts all this and his achievements in perspective.
The part of Graceland that I did not like was the crass commercialism. There were umpteen gift shops with themes based on the slightest excuse - the gift shop next to the Private Presley section sold army outfits and accessories. All Elvis-lovers wanted to keep his memory alive. Since memorabilia helped, this yearning was preyed upon. I have to confess we bought a few souvenirs too.
We had dinner at BB King’s. The live band was very entertaining. The whole place was jumping. We joined the crowd. Mammy, with a few others, was invited to do a few gyrations on the stage as well! A side road just off Beale St was cordoned off as a pedestrian freeway. It was busy with revelers late into the night. There were cops patrolling on segways but everybody was just having a good time.
Distance traveled 24.6 miles
Well, at least we know we're at the right place
Can't help including these of the King!
These two as well
Haven't seen this poster before? It was on the way to the ticket booths
Finally we're at the entrance of the Mansion at Graceland
Graceland has been designated a NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK
"This property possess National Significance as the Home of Elvis Presley, an extraordinary artist whose music united American roots music - gospel, country, blues, honky-tonk, rhythm n blues, pop and made a pivotal contribution to the creation of a new kind of American music: Rock n Roll"
March 27,2006
National Park Service - US Department of the Interior
Elvis with photo of his father and mother below
The sitting room - its really not that big
Painting of a youthful Elvis next to the stairs that led to the bedrooms but these are off limits for visitors. Elvis passed away upstairs.
The kitschy 'jungle' room with Elvis' favorite chair.
The lounge where Elvis watched TV
Elvis had three TV's on like the President of the USA
The pool room where Elvis hung out with his guys
When there was paper work to be done, this was the office. His father later continued to use this as his work place. It's really quite plain and understated
A scale model of the tiny 'shotgun' house in Tupelo Ms where Elvis was born on 8Jan,1935. The Presleys moved to Memphis Tn when Elvis was 13. (Shotgun house - a house so small that a gunshot can enter through the front door and exit from the back door)
This was probably a pumphouse which was turned into a smokehouse by Elvis' father Vernon; later it was used by Elvis and his guys as a firing range
Elvis had a gym built in Graceland with full facilities
The pristine grounds around the Mansion
Sideview of the Mansion
A happy Elvis in his early days as a star
Elvis with his parents and uncles
Elvis' electric stage presence and inimitable style had many ladies swooning
Cuttings from newspapers in the fifties stating that Elvis was the first artist to break through culture barriers. Teenagers responded to the implied rebellion seen in his performances. More mature audiences were won over by his polite, disarming nature offstage and his generally clean-cut down to earth attitude.
One of the many costumes he wore in his films
The intricate design of the King's jumpsuits
His biggest hits of the 50's - Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel
How many gold or platinum records did he have?
From one of his most successful early movies - Jail House Rock
Elvis Aaron Presley married Priscilla Ann Beaulieu on 1May,1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas. After their honeymoon in Palm Springs, there was another reception for friends that did make it to the first one
One of the posters from Elvis' many movies
The King's LP's (33rpm vinyl Long Playing records) were wildly popular
When Elvis returned to performing before live audiences, he broke attendance records in cities like Las Vegas, Houston and New York. The 1968 Comeback TV Special marked his triumphant return and his TV documentary "Elvis, That's the Way It Is" had super ratings in 1970
Just a sampling of the costumes he wore on his stage appearances
More chartbusters on the walls of the Hall of Gold with costumes he wore showcased.
The screen on the wall showed his wildly successful shows in totally soldout venues
Statues gracing the Meditation Garden
The token kidney shaped pool
Elvis, rest in peace
Elvis buried next to his parents and other close family members
Sincerely Elvis housed the largest collection of Elvis' stage costumes
The King's pink Cadillac - I think it was used in one of his movies also.
The Convair 880 named after his daughter Lisa Marie
Private Presley - exhibits covered Elvis' Army induction in 1958 till his honorable discharge in 1960
Peanut butter and banana sandwich - one of Elvis' favorites
posted by Regamy at
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