Graceland

August 16, 1977. I was in a van, driving down the highway near Spokane, Washington with my brother Bill and a group of his co-workers. It was the summer before my senior year in college. Where were you? The day Elvis died?

By then Elvis was painted as a caricature of himself, deep in the throes of addiction, but still a force to be reckoned with and heading out on tour. What a voice, what a talent.  Silenced way too soon.

For the past 37 years I have watched the news reports of fans gathering at the gates of Graceland, Elvis' home and sanctuary, to remember the man. Now it was my turn.

Here are my photos -- taken on my phone, no flash allowed - sometimes blurry, but still revealing the a glimpse of the King......

The Living Room, complete with a 20' custom sofa. Love the peacock stained glass at the entrance to the Music Room (note the TV)

This is where his Mama lived until she passed and his aunt moved in. 

Mama sured loved purple -- and poodles.

What an elegant staircase. We weren't allowed on the second floor

The Dining Room - wet with Elvis' and Priscilla's wedding china

Elvis loved to watch TV. This is the Dining Room TV

Priscilla and Lisa Marie

The kitchen exactly as it was the day Elvis died.

The Jungle Room, Green shag carpet on floor and ceiling

The Den ( located in basement) When Elvis heard President Johnson watched all three network news programs at the same time, he decided he would too. Thus, three TVs.

The Bar in the Den

The Cap'n in the Game  Room. The wall and ceiling fabric was very soft ( yes, I touched it) and groovy. We toured the house using iPads, with narration by John Stamos - the perfect choice

I can't imagine how much fabric this required -- but the effect was fabulous. You would never know you were in the basement

The Jungle Room. One day Elvis bought the furniture in a local store

The room featured lots of animals, a water fall down the red wall and.....

Green shag carpet on the floor and ceiling

The horse pasture -- Elvis was an avid rider. Once he bought a horse, a saddle and a pick up for each of  17 friends

The Tour continued to a museum featuring all of  Elvis' Gold Records,

His Grammy

His military uniform

Priscilla's wedding dress ( looks like a nightie to me) They met when he was stationed in Germany. She was the General's daughter.

Then we went to his Racketball Court building where he had a sunken lounge looking at the court...  The morning of his death Elvis came to this building to spend time with some friends, play the piano and sing.

...which now displays more memorabilia

and costumes

with big belt buckles!

The tour ends in the meditation garden where Elvis is buried beside his mother and father

Tourists waiting to enter the house.

There is a newly opened archives building with all sorts of photos, and memorabilia. I enjoyed this article.

And yet another museum houses his impressive car collection.

I want one

More costumes from his Vegas years

On close examination, the fabric did not look very soft, but i guess it had to be durable for all that shakin' and gyratin'

The King as a toddler. Photogenic from the start.....