Graceland, Memphis - September 14-17, 2012
I'm going to Graceland, Graceland, only $10 to park
$32 to see the house plus $4 to see the cars & aircraft
There's the two aircraft, Lockheed JetStar & Convair 880
Good news! Nothing but Elvis the whole time here
Take the tram over to the National Historical Place
Behold, Elvis' Graceland
Enter the foyer and look right to the living room
Beyond the glass peacocks is the music room
Elvis, parent's bedroom, Vernon's from 1958-1979
Opposite the living room is the dining room
Where an RCA TV displays the silver punchbowl & cups
Go through the dining room and into the kitchen
With dark wood cabinets, green sinks & TV's, so homey!
Out of the kitchen and head right to the music room
We'll come back to the Jungle Room after a short detour
Elvis had 3 TVs mounted in the Television Room
A vinyl yellow bar helped entertain guests
Elvis' record collection was kept in the corner
Next visit the basement pool room
350yds of pleated fabric hung on the walls & 2 sofas
Up the stairs and back into the Jungle Room
Polynesian influence and green shag carpet of the 1970's
The waterfall in the front wall of the jungle room
Vernon's office was used for answering fan mail
Leave the mansion and head toward the external buildings
Over to the trophy room where a few gold records reside
Elvis had at least 10 gold records in his lifetime
Ok over a hundred, maybe more?
RCA was so pleased with Elvis that they gave him a TV
Elvis army fatigues circa 1960
Elvis & Priscilla were married on May 1, 1967
Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special black leather outfit
Different outfits Elvis wore during his career
Which will look best on me eating at Chuy's on Jan 8th?
Tuxedo worn to 1971 Outstanding Young Men Award event
Exit the trophy room and head to the racketball court
Pinball machines and lounge area outside the court
Racketball court displays posthumous awards & honors
The motherlode of Las Vegas performance outfits!
American eagle wings or aztec circle garb?
Elvis was ready but didn't make it to the Luv Ya Blue days
Find the pool outside the racketball court
Hey, that kinda looks like a big gravestone
Meditation Garden was built in 1963 as a place of retreat
Vernon moved Elvis & Gladys here on Oct. 2nd, 1977
Vernon & his mother Minnie Mae are also buried here
Elvis' mom, Gladys Love Smith Presley: 1912-1958
Elvis' dad, Vernon Elvis Presley: 1916-1979
Elvis buried between Grandma Minnie Mae and Dad
Elvis Aaron Presley: 1935-1977, only 42 when he died
Elvis' grandma (1890-1980) outlived them all
Still plenty of room for Priscilla and Lisa Marie!
Fans line up and take their time among the graves
Not enough room to get the entire scene left to right
Fountain and entire circular wall behind the graves
Fans still send bouquets from around the world
Pool parties are more somber with the graves at the end
View of the house by the shuttle bus pickup area
Past the front yard & gates lie the commericial Graceland
Pay $4 extra to see Elvis' cars and two aircraft
Mercedes 280 SL Roadster gift for Priscilla, Dec. 1970
1966 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
1960 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud
1971 Stutz Blackhawk charmed away from Sinatra
Was fully restored after being totaled by a hired driver
1956 Cadillac Eldorado, originally white
Elvis traded it in in 1957 and a fan later bought it
1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II, $10K car in 1956
Buggies and motorcycles Elvis rode around Graceland
1973 Stutz Blackhawk, one of Elvis' favorite cars
Custom built Italian body added to a GM platform & engine
Never forget where the spare is kept!
1955 Cadillac Fleetwood Elvis kept from his rise to stardom
1969 Mercedes Benz 600 - 1972 documentary Elvis on Tour
1962 Lincoln Continental with gold alligator top
'62 Continental had the suicide doors
Elvis Alive shows how Elvis influenced performance wear
Traditional Elvis Vegas lounge act outfit
Elvis influenced Joan Jett among MANY others
Pass an old Ford on the way to the aircraft display
Elvis bought a Convair 880 Jet in 1975 for $250K
Refurbishing it to Elvis' standards made the cost $600K
Cockpit of the Convair 880, The Lisa Marie
Improved airline bathroom sink with gold trim
Seats, couches and TV's in the center fuselage
Next section had a large table for eating or business
Elvis' onboard bedroom with TV and lounge chair
Rear bathroom and dressing room
See the Taking Care of Business bolt on the tail
Elvis' 'Hound Dog II' Lockheed JetStar plane
1962 Lockheed Jetstar, Hounddog II's cockpit
Green and yellow seats were the thing in 1975
It's not Elvis' plane if it's not Taking Care of Business!
Salute Lisa Marie again, then off to the parking lot & airport