October 30…. The King!

This morning, Graceland!

What visit to Memphis can be complete without a visit to Graceland, especially for folks of my generation who actually remember and lived through the years when Elvis Presley was alive.

Elvis was in on the birth of rock and roll music in the 1950’s, and his meteoric rise to stardom influenced the entire world. Music, movies, clothing, concerts and entertainment all go back to things he was doing. Truly the first Rock Star.

Elvis was 22 years old when he made good on a promise he made to his parents when he was a child. “Momma, I’m gonna buy you a house someday”.

He purchased Graceland in 1957. A mansion and 13 acres just outside Memphis, for just over $100,000, and immediately started the first of what would be many renovations.

As we toured the mansion, Susanne and I both kept thinking “that looks just like our house when we were kids”. The same wood paneling throughout, the same avocado green appliances and shag carpeting. The house is nowhere near what we might consider a “mansion” by today’s standards, at least size-wise.

I think you can definitely see the “rock star” influence on decor. A twenty-something youngster, who grew up in a poor family in Mississippi, suddenly with more money than he knew what to do with, and able to have anything he wanted on a whim.

As we worked our way through the public rooms of the house, a couple observations… Elvis liked mirrors, and he liked TV’s. 😄

Mirrors EVERYWHERE, not just framed mirrors, but floor to ceiling walls covered in mirrors. And at least one TV in every room, and more than one in many.

Adding these just for Neal… 😁

The Jungle Room

After exiting the house, there’s a meditation garden, where Elvis’ parents are laid to rest and where his resting place was moved. That is, if you’re not of the belief that he’s still “out there” somewhere.

After the house, there’s a huge museum with Elvis’ automobile collection and artifacts from his life.

The whole tour was something if you’ve never been. A bit expensive, worth it once, glad I did it, don’t need to do it again. But then I’m not one of the Elvii. 😄