“Nothingreally affected me until I heard Elvis.
If there hadn’t been an Elvis there wouldn’t have been the Beatles.”
John Lennon
Today I reconnected with my first love. Not Ken Priest from St. Arnaud. I was 3 years old. That didn’t count.
ElvisAaronPresley
My childhood memories are Saturday nights watching one of the 31 movies he made. Sometimes I watched them twice. Actually often. Today, staying next to Graceland, we started with some quiet time in the mediation garden where Elvis, his mother Gladys, father Vernon, twin Jessie and his Great Grandmother Minnie were buried. Jessie was stillborn at 4am January 8, 1935. Gladys and Vernon were devastated. They didn’t realise they were having twins. Elvis was born at 4.35.
Meditation gardenGreat Grandma Minnie Mae outlived her son, his wife, and both her grandchildren, Elvis and Jessie. She died in 1980.
After a nice breakfast at Graceland Cottage (the ‘cottage’ has 430 rooms), we headed back to Graceland for a tour of the Mansion and the Museums.
The iconic Gates to Graceland.Pavements are signed by fans.Front fences are signed by fans as well.Majestic driveway to the Mansion.Yep, there I am, standing where Elvis once stood, in front of his house. He wasn’t home.Custom made 15 foot couch and 10 foot coffee table.There were fourteen televisions in the Mansion.Vernon and Gladys room, designed by her, including the wallpaper in the bathroom.Elvis lived upstairs, this was his private retreat, and out of bounds.Dining room, complete with the china Elvis and Priscilla used. When Lisa-Marie is in town she still eats at this table.Elvis remodelled the kitchen just before he died.The kitchen remains the same. I could just see him fossicking in the fridge late at night.The TV and entertainment room downstairs.State of the Art technology from RCAThe lightening bolt shown on this wall was his personal logo. The letters TCB were everywhere. It meant Taking Care of Business. In a Flash.Elvis picked the fabric for this room. It took ten days to hang, there was 350 feet of fabric which decorated the walls and the ceiling.
The Jungle Room included green carpet on the floor and ceiling.Priscilla’s favourite chair sits in the corner.Elvis recorded an album and six songs from the album Moody Blues in the Jungle Room.Vernons office, where taking care of business took place. Elvis got up to 5000 items of mail or gifts from fans each day.The pool overlooks the Meditation Garden.This was the Racquetball building.
On the day Elvis died, he played two games of racquetball and then treated his friends to UnchainedMelody and BlueEyesCryingintheRain on the piano.
After the Mansion tour, we headed across the road to the Graceland Museums.
To view Presley Motors…..
This car was originally white but Elvis had it repainted.
Gladys’ favourite car. She didn’t drive.
To view his memories in the US Army………
Serving post-war from 1958 for two years, he was based in Germany. And yes he did muck out mess halls and clean latrines. Private Presley did not have special priveleges except to be allowed to live off base with his family who moved to Germany whilst he was stationed there. In 1960 he was discharged as a Sargeant.
To see the performers he influenced and hear why he inspired them…..
To view his Gold and Silver records and the costumes that transformed Elvis into the performer he was …..
To eat like Elvis……..Peanut Butter and Banana Grilled Toast 🤮
It was a big day.
Which wasn’t complete until we hit the iconic Beale Street and a Blues Bar. Or two. The music was too good not to dance.
There was a motor bike ride fundraiser in the street, at least 6 police cars were present.
”Talent is being able to sell something you are feeling”.
Elvis Presley
MaureenBetty 