Hard to imagine this was an “everyday belt,” because the tour information instructed us. Putting on cotton gloves, we have been invited to heft the belt and take photographs with it. Mighty heavy. Mighty gaudy. And mighty invaluable.
After all, this was a belt as soon as worn by Elvis Presley. On our first pre-cruise night time in Memphis, my brother Joe and I went to the complimentary cocktail hour within the Founders’ Room at The Guest House at Graceland. Then we boarded a small shuttle for a behind-the-scenes have a look at Graceland.
Driven to a personal room, we noticed the Elvis belt in addition to a locket Elvis had purchased for his mom Gladys with an image of the Empire State Building inside. We additionally noticed a set of Kahlil Gibran’s books that Elvis had notated whereas studying and a bike helmet and leather-based gloves that Elvis had as soon as worn.
A few ladies on our tour mentioned they have been taking residence their cotton gloves as a result of the gloves have been good souvenirs. After all, the gloves had touched one thing that Elvis as soon as touched. My memento was a photograph of Joe holding the beautiful belt.
After breakfast the subsequent morning, Joe and I headed to Graceland for the day as a part of our pre-cruise bundle. As a Beatles fan, Joe was within the 1979 Yamaha piano on show within the “Icon’s: The Influence of Elvis Presley” exhibit. John Lennon used the piano to compose a number of songs from his album “Double Fantasy.” The piano nonetheless has wax seen on the piano from candles he used whereas writing.
Perched atop the piano is a big photograph of John Lennon together with his quote, “Before Elvis, there was nothing.” Another close by observe card comprises one other John Lennon quote, “Nothing really affected me until I heard Elvis. If there hadn’t been an Elvis, there wouldn’t have been the Beatles.”
John Lennon
Elvis thought he can be shortly forgotten
A poignant remark from Elvis is also displayed: “I never expected to be anybody important.”
Elvis’ former spouse Priscilla Presley has mentioned that Elvis thought he can be shortly forgotten as soon as he stopped singing.
“Elvis never thought that he would be remembered. That was his thing,” Priscilla has mentioned. “He said, ‘You know, once I pass, nobody will remember me.”
Ah, how fallacious he was.
Many musicians have been influenced by Elvis and his affect impressed these to observe in his footsteps and create their very own sound and pursue their goals – simply as he had executed. The Icons exhibit is in “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” situated throughout from the Graceland mansion. Opened March 2, 2017, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” options quite a few sights and displays. I counted about 15 of them and one thing new appears to be added or modified annually.
The celebrities featured in Icons are undoubtedly icons on their very own. Some determined to enter music due to Elvis and lots of are grateful to Elvis for making a world the place totally different musical kinds are celebrated.
Dolly Parton
Icon movie star alternatives vary from the Nineteen Fifties and the rise of Elvis to present generations of entertainers who weren’t even alive when Elvis died 46 years in the past.
Some of the entertainers and their quotes and memorabilia gadgets displayed within the exhibit embody:
Buddy Holly – “None of us could have made it without Elvis.”
Elton John – “Ask anyone. If it hadn’t been for Elvis, I don’t know where popular music would be. He was the one that started it off, and he was definitely the start of it for me.”
Kid Rock
Kid Rock – “The most popular thing in America culture is Elvis Presley No questions asked. He is the king.”
Dolly Parton – “If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, do more and become more, then you have accomplished something. Elvis did that and more for me and so many others.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – “When I was a kid, I loved Elvis. He was the ultimate in cool. Every guy wanted to be Elvis, me included.”
Bruce Springsteen – “It was like he came along and whispered some dream in everybody’s ear, and somehow we all dreamed it.”
Bob Dylan – “When I first heard Elvis’ voice, I just knew that I wasn’t going to work for anybody and nobody was going to be my boss. Hearing him for the first time was like busting out of jail.”
Blake Shelton – “If you take God and mix him with Fonzie and add the greatest voice of all time, that is Elvis Presley. He has influenced all genres, I mean all genres of music.”
Paul Stanley of KISS – “No one name says more than his: Elvis. It roars while others whisper.”
Gene Simmons of KISS – “Elvis is king. Period.
Post Malone – “I have a tat of Elvis on my finger along with John Lennon, Jim Morrison. If it wasn’t for these guys, I would not be making music right now.”
Post Malone
Trisha Yearwood – “I have been an Elvis fan as far back as I can remember. I wrote him a letter when I was 5, asking him to marry me and he didn’t write back, so I’m still pining over that one. I love the fact that he wasn’t afraid to be himself. He changed everything.”
Toby Keith – “No matter what genre of music you like, no matter who your favorite singer or group is, everyone including myself have been influenced, inspired and emotionally touched by Elvis. He was and still is the king and will forever be a part of our musical history.”
Jimi Hendrix – Although no quote is included from Jimi Hendrix who died Sept. 18, 1970, considered one of his coats and a drawing executed by Jimi is exhibited. A placard notes that on Sept. 1, 1957, an impressionable 15-year-old Jim Hendrix was in attendance at Elvis’ live performance in Seattle.
So influenced by the present, Jimi drew an image of Elvis and listed your complete line-up of songs that Elvis carried out that night time. Later Jimi did covers of some Elvis songs dwell together with “Hound Dog” and “Blue Suede Shoes.”
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
Photos by Jackie Sheckler Finch
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