The "upgrade" Of The Graceland Area

[Polk-Salad-Annie]

I AM VERY CURIOUS AS TO WHAT OTHERS ON THIS BOARD THINK ABOUT THE LATEST NEWS REGARDING THE "UPGRADE" OF THE GRACELAND AREA.
I AM ALL FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE ELVIS "BUSINESS" AS FAR AS VEGAS OR EVEN INTERNATIONAL ELVIS THEMED VENTURES, BUT...I AM VERY FRIGHTENED OF WHAT MIGHT COME AS FAR AS THE AREA SURROUNDING GRACELAND.
I KNOW THAT CHANGE CAN BE SCARY, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A GOOD THING.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IMPROVING SOME OF THE AREA AROUND GRACELAND, SUCH AS THE PAVILION AREA, OR THE SPACE BETWEEN THE AUTO MUSEUM AND THE DAYS INN, AND ESPECIALLY IMPROVING THE HOTEL SITUATION.
I DO NOT, WANT TO SEE GRACELAND TURN INTO AN ELVIS VERSION OF DISNEYLAND. :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A DISGRACE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY IT PUTS IN SILLERMANS POCKET, THAT WOULD BE DISRESPECTFUL TO ELVIS' MEMORY.


WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

[EP75]

Here's how I see it. Bob Sillerman wants Graceland to make the money, profit and bring in tourism in the line of Disney or Epcot Center in Orlando. He doesn't mean roller coasters or EP themed rides. If you have ever been to Orlando and to Disney or MGM Studios or Epcot Center, you will know that their facilities are top notch and as good as any other attractions around. The way they are family designed and laid out is what Bob Sillerman wants done with the Graceland grounds across from the mansion and possibly to the left of it. I have been following this development ever since it broke back in February. It has some great expectations for the tours and the future. The project is also being headed up by Bob Weis, the creator and designer of Disney and Epcot.

Priscilla recently did an interview on Sirius Radio and she explained the plans a little clearer. She said that they want a much larger museum to display all of the artifacts and memorabilia and to tell the whole story to its fullest. She said they want to make it fun and exciting, even though in her words it already is, but only better than it currently is and more complete. I think the changes will be breathtaking and to know that Sillerman is got the city leaders involved in it makes it only more anticipating.

All of the fans complaining about changes and saying leave it alone, they are out of touch with modern day time. Disney is as old as Graceland, and they have improved their facilities to higher standards, and that is what Sillerman wants to do with Graceland.

[vulcandude]

All I have to say is they better not fool around with Graceland itself or anything on the property such as the racquetball court. It would be a disgrace to Elvis' memory to "upgrade" or change anything there. As far as for anything across the street from the mansion, fine....but leave Graceland be.

[EP75]

All I have to say is they better not fool around with Graceland itself or anything on the property such as the racquetball court. It would be a disgrace to Elvis' memory to "upgrade" or change anything there. As far as for anything across the street from the mansion, fine....but leave Graceland be.

Priscilla said in that interview that NOTHING would be touched as far as the house goes, just everything across the street is more than likely going to be removed and torn down to fit their new museum and attractions. The raquetball court will be transformed back to it's originality while all of the gold and platinum awards will be displayed at the new museum when it is completed. If anything the home will be returned to its orignal form as it was left on August 16, 1977.

[Tony Trout]

Priscilla said in that interview that NOTHING would be touched as far as the house goes, just everything across the street is more than likely going to be removed and torn down to fit their new museum and attractions. The raquetball court will be transformed back to it's originality while all of the gold and platinum awards will be displayed at the new museum when it is completed.


Is there any schedule for the opening of the new museum?





If anything the home will be returned to its orignal form as it was left on August 16, 1977.


I seriously doubt that Priscilla will go back to using the red color scheme.....

[vulcandude]

If anything the home will be returned to its orignal form as it was left on August 16, 1977.I thought Graceland ALREADY was the way it was on August 16, 1977.......:hmm:

[MISSCLAWDY]

unfortunately no, it's not like it was on the 16th of august 1977; I seriously doubt Priscilla is eager to restore Graceland to how it was , I think the changes will be useful for more money to go into EPE wallets...how sad.....

[0349054]

I thought Graceland ALREADY was the way it was on August 16, 1977.......:hmm:

No, Priscilla tore out the "*****house red" decor that Linda Thompson had installed, which was there when Elvis died - to return it to the way it was when she lived in the house.

Look at pictures of the living room from 77' and comapre it with today - completely different.

[JDD]

I prefer the way it is now, which compares more how it was when Elvis lived there with his folks and the Priscilla era to the Red era which made my head hurt just looking at it. Thats my prefrence anyway.

[Sammy4Elvis]

I think it would be nice if they put a couple of nice hotels,similar to Heartbreak up with entertainment in them, a nice bar and restaurant and just made the most out of the shops etc that are there. All those shops repeat themselves so they already have property there that they can make more of, i dont feel that too much should be put across the road, at the end of the day Elvis and his family rests just across the street and to turn it too commercial i think is wrong.

[Elvis_Lady_1984]

when are they planning all these renovations? will you still be able to tour graceland?

[vulcandude]

No, Priscilla tore out the "*****house red" decor that Linda Thompson had installed, which was there when Elvis died - to return it to the way it was when she lived in the house.

Look at pictures of the living room from 77' and comapre it with today - completely different.I'd have to see pictures of the living room from both periods to say whether the change was a good thing. I always thought Graceland had been relatively untouched from the way it was when Elvis died, guess I was wrong.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I'd have to see pictures of the living room from both periods to say whether the change was a good thing. I always thought Graceland had been relatively untouched from the way it was when Elvis died, guess I was wrong.

Far from it Priscilla has done a lot of work since Aug 16th 1977, the raquet court is now the trophy room!

Anyway here are some nice pictures.............

[Sammy4Elvis]

That room is amazing!! It takes your breathe away!!! Lovely photos.x

[JDD]

The main thing they need to do is buy up all the property they can in the surrounding area, because the neighborhood is the S**ts now. Its not too
bad in the day but walking around at night isn't as good as it should be. They
need a bigger Hotel, and a resturant or two . The actual Graceland Grounds are kept up well, now they just need to get it back so its nicer around it. Thats the
number one complaint I hear when I go there each June, "its nice, but the surrounding area needs work " . Most folks that go there are on Vacation, and are looking for it to be a little cleaner, and safer.



IMO thats one of the mistakes Elvis made when he was alive, he could have bought up all that property that is now a subdivision when it was all vacant.

[Jungleroom76]

Here's how I see it. Bob Sillerman wants Graceland to make the money, profit and bring in tourism in the line of Disney or Epcot Center in Orlando. He doesn't mean roller coasters or EP themed rides. If you have ever been to Orlando and to Disney or MGM Studios or Epcot Center, you will know that their facilities are top notch and as good as any other attractions around. The way they are family designed and laid out is what Bob Sillerman wants done with the Graceland grounds across from the mansion and possibly to the left of it. I have been following this development ever since it broke back in February. It has some great expectations for the tours and the future. The project is also being headed up by Bob Weis, the creator and designer of Disney and Epcot.

Priscilla recently did an interview on Sirius Radio and she explained the plans a little clearer. She said that they want a much larger museum to display all of the artifacts and memorabilia and to tell the whole story to its fullest. She said they want to make it fun and exciting, even though in her words it already is, but only better than it currently is and more complete. I think the changes will be breathtaking and to know that Sillerman is got the city leaders involved in it makes it only more anticipating.

All of the fans complaining about changes and saying leave it alone, they are out of touch with modern day time. Disney is as old as Graceland, and they have improved their facilities to higher standards, and that is what Sillerman wants to do with Graceland.

WELL SAID EP75!!! (y)

Personally, I think there is unlimited potential for what could be done across the street and around the Graceland area...and I think Bob Sillerman really seems to have a "master plan", so to speak, about what he envisions for that entire area!

In terms of changing Graceland itself, I have heard talk that part of the reason Mr. Sillerman wants to open larger museums across the street from the mansion is so that they can move the gold/platinum record awards display and the jumpsuits that are currently in the racquetball court now, into that museum so that they can restore the racquetball court back to its original look when Elvis was still alive. That idea, in my opinion, would be a positive change to the mansion. While it is certainly wonderful to see all of the awards and jumpsuits currently on display in the racquetball area, that wasn't the way it looked when Elvis lived there, and while I certainly understand that EPE needed someplace to display these items and the racquetball court seemed like the best idea at the time, I think moving them across the street would allow for Graceland to continue to tell the entire Elvis story, yet at the same time allow fans the opportunity to see the mansion JUST as it was when Elvis lived there!

As I said, there is unlimited potential in the entire Graceland area....and now after years of EPE leaving everything pretty much status quo, let's hope that Mr. Sillerman can take it to the next level!

TCB!
Mike

[Jungleroom76]

The main thing they need to do is buy up all the property they can in the surrounding area, because the neighborhood is the S**ts now. Its not too
bad in the day but walking around at night isn't as good as it should be.

PRECISELY JDD!! (y)

Actually, this article was recently featured on ElvisNews.com:

Elvis Presley Enterprises has bought "China Buffet", a restaurant at 3641 Elvis Presley Blvd. for $1 million. The 5,200-square-foot restaurant was built in 1991 and sits on .8 acres on the west side of Elvis Presley Boulevard south of Bluebird Road. The Shelby County Assessor in 2006 appraised it at $490,100. The restaurant will remain in operation as is, said Todd Morgan, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). Morgan said EPE saw this as an opportunity to invest near other EPE-owned properties. Last year, CKX announced plans to enhance Graceland visitors' experiences in the Whitehaven area around Graceland, while preserving the integrity of the mansion itself.

So it sounds like EPE/Bob Sillerman have already begun to try and upgrade the area around Graceland. (y)

TCB!
Mike

[JDD]

WELL SAID EP75!!! (y)


In terms of changing Graceland itself, I have heard talk that part of the reason Mr. Sillerman wants to open larger museums across the street from the mansion is so that they can move the gold/platinum record awards display and the jumpsuits that are currently in the racquetball court now, into that museum so that they can restore the racquetball court back to its original look when Elvis was still alive. That idea, in my opinion, would be a positive change to the mansion. While it is certainly wonderful to see all of the awards and jumpsuits currently on display in the racquetball area, that wasn't the way it looked when Elvis lived there, and while I certainly understand that EPE needed someplace to display these items and the racquetball court seemed like the best idea at the time, I think moving them across the street would allow for Graceland to continue to tell the entire Elvis story, yet at the same time allow fans the opportunity to see the mansion JUST as it was when Elvis lived there!

TCB!
Mike


I think the ideal of a bigger museum area across the street would be nice, but there isn't a way they could do that with out shutting down part of the tours. I wonder how they'll handle that. It would take at least a couple of weeks of day and night work to reset up that racquetball court across the road and a couple more weeks to restore the court to being a racquetball court. Once its done It'll be nice but I hope they keep it posted well , because a lot of folks plan their vacations for Graceland, some plan for years to get there and it would be too bad if they one time they got to go there was the month they had to shut down part of the tour.

[EP75]

Here's how I see this all playing out.

First-Bob Sillerman wants to take Graceland and EP to higher levels than ever before. He wants it on par with Disney. But that does not mean it will be turned into an amusement park, but more of a tourist attraction that draws all ages and races. Disney is known for it's beautiful landscaping and stylish buildings and designs. That is what Sillerman wants to do with Graceland and what he means by "on par with Disney". And this is why he has turned to the brilliant and ultimate creative mind of Bob Weiss.

Who is Bob Weiss?

He's the genius architecture behind the Disney compound, Epcot Center and MGM Studios all in Orlando, FL. He also redesigned the Rockefeller Center and Plaza in NY. His thoughts, creations and designs are breathtaking and unimaginable before seeing and unbelievable afterwards.

How much land does Weiss have to work with?

By using Google Earth and looking at the property across from Graceland from the main boulevard which EPE now owns to the very back of the property to the neighborhood's back yards, I estimate that it is 60-80 acres of land. There is a medium sized apartment complex right behind the left side of the current plaza. From my understanding EPE owns that complex so relocating residents may not be too much of a problem to shut it down for demolition. From the corner of Craft RD, just to the left of the plaza, all the way down to the far end of the recent purchased Chinese restaurant, it is 650 yards in length. That's over 6 full length football fields wide. And it's 530 yards in depth from EP Boulevard to the back of the property. That's about 1/4 of the entire Epcot Center complex, just to give you an idea of it's enormous size of free space and land.

So what are Sillerman and Weiss looking to build or add to beef up tourism to double it's 600,000 visitors a year to 1.2 million a year?

Well think BIG but not too big or too elaborate, but more stylish and unique and with a touch of nostalgia. I think the museum will be the ultimate and main attraction after the mansion tour. Therefore visitors and tourists see more than just the home itself but experience the whole life and times of EP through the mega museum. Priscilla and Lisa have been dreaming of a museum of a cost of around $100,000,000.00 and feature everything possible. They have over 6,000 artifacts currently in storage that they want to display but can't due to lack of exhibit space. They can't do that now as is with the current set up. That's why the exhibits they have now look cluttered and thrown together to save room, and money. But that won't be the case with the new museum and attraction.

So what kind of museum do I see EPE and Sillerman building?

A mega multi use facility that rivals the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Museum in Cleveland, OH. That cost $84,000,000.00 when they built it back in 1996. The proposed museum EPE wants would be 16,000,000.00 more than that. I'm thinking Sillerman will want to build the ultimate museum to not only tell the whole story from beginning to end, but to exploit EP and take the EP experience to a whole new level. Here's what I mean.

*A massive 100,000 sq ft 2-level facility, beautifully designed and laid out featuring multiple exhibits to display and add to and change out, using modern day technology. Featuring a large underground storm shelter and basement for storage space.

*An expanded exhibit display of the jumpsuits.

*Bandmates & Songwriters exhibit, to honor the people behind the music.

*Inspirations & Influences, to honor his idols.

*An expanded car museum featuring many new vehicles not on display and the new Harley bikes being added this year.

*An indoor Aircraft exhibit featuring both planes inside.

*An Art Gallery featuring art work from around the world.

*An EP themed restaurant with outdoor observation deck overlooking Graceland.

*Imax and movie theater, to display his Hollywood career and to show his live concerts on Imax screen.

*Recording studio, for fans to interact and record their own demo just as EP did at Sun.

*30 ft EP statue to honor the reason the compound exists.

*An outdoor amphitheater for live shows.

*A new 400-room hotel and resort, featuring indoor pool and spa and sports facility including teenis courts, and a conference room for fan club members. The current hotel will be torn down in it's place.

*Newly and improved Visitor's Center in the form of a small indoor mall, off to the left of the mansion and gates.

In the mall would be:

* EPE MERCHANDISE
A retail store devoted to Elvis Presley Enterprises that sells only EPE marketed items. (it's all about money anyway for them)

* ELVIS THREADS
A store for selling Elvis themed clothes and EPE's new fashion line.

* ELVIS TOP 40
A music store that sells Elvis cds, dvds, imports, posters, and other Elvis related items.

* E-L-V-I-S L-I-V-E-S
A large updated neon lit Billboard of 'Elvis In The News Today' from music, television, media and movies, with modern day Elvis remixes as background music. This is located at the far end between the 2 escalators leading up to the 2nd floor.

* WALKING IN MEMPHIS
An introduction of Memphis as EP saw it and highlights Memphis today.

* THIS IS ELVIS A. PRESLEY
An introduction to the legend of Elvis Presley in a 15 minute documentary to prepare visitors for what they are about to experience.

* SIRIUS RADIO
The All Elvis satellite station with a public view of how the show rolls. Watch it live.

Cost and duration?

I predict that Sillerman will go all out (since he has said money isn't a problem or issue) and make it as unimaginable as possible with breathtaking landscaping and designing. I think a price tag for all of this will run around 400,000,000.00. And I see it taking about 18-20 months to complete, which is close to 2 years.

When do I expect for a concrete announcement on the plans for Graceland and groundbreaking?

I expect news on a final master plan to be announced before August of this year and groundbreaking to begin by year's end. So look for a grand opening by August 2009 at the latest.

[Unchained Melody]

I have no problems with them opening a museum up across from Graceland and get the Raquetball court building back to the way it looked when Elvis was alive. I think that is a great plan.(y) I also don't mind with the changes made outside of Graceland, as long as everything on and inside the grounds stays the same! Looking forward to hearing how this is coming along for EPE.

btw, great photo's Matt! :notworthy

[Dudcowboy_1]

I think its great idea. Because once jumpsuits and records are out they can take down the walls and open the raquet ball room again to the way it was orginally. I don't think Graceland will be touch. Anything they do outside of the gates will be upgrade. Like some have said owner of SFX is there to make money not sit around and do the same thing EPE has down for 30 years. SFX is multi-billion dollar a year company they can help a lot.

Love to all,
Tim Dudley "A Tribute To Elvis Show"
http://www.geocities.com/dudcowboy_1/

[vulcandude]

Those are some amazing pics of the trophy room/racquetball cout!

[Lisarose]

I'm a fairly new fan (although I've loved Elvis since I was 8 years old). Isn't Graceland on the National Register? Or a Historical register? Seems I've seen a marker of some sort outside the grounds.

[GirlHappy19]

I AM VERY CURIOUS AS TO WHAT OTHERS ON THIS BOARD THINK ABOUT THE LATEST NEWS REGARDING THE "UPGRADE" OF THE GRACELAND AREA.
I AM ALL FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE ELVIS "BUSINESS" AS FAR AS VEGAS OR EVEN INTERNATIONAL ELVIS THEMED VENTURES, BUT...I AM VERY FRIGHTENED OF WHAT MIGHT COME AS FAR AS THE AREA SURROUNDING GRACELAND.
I KNOW THAT CHANGE CAN BE SCARY, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE A GOOD THING.
I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO IMPROVING SOME OF THE AREA AROUND GRACELAND, SUCH AS THE PAVILION AREA, OR THE SPACE BETWEEN THE AUTO MUSEUM AND THE DAYS INN, AND ESPECIALLY IMPROVING THE HOTEL SITUATION.
I DO NOT, WANT TO SEE GRACELAND TURN INTO AN ELVIS VERSION OF DISNEYLAND. :angry: :angry: :angry: :angry:
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A DISGRACE, NO MATTER HOW MUCH MONEY IT PUTS IN SILLERMANS POCKET, THAT WOULD BE DISRESPECTFUL TO ELVIS' MEMORY.


WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT IT?

can't see the pics:sad:

[EP75]

Has anyone ever considered . . .

and don't flame me for this - I'm just posing questions for thought on this forum . . .

but has anyone considered that perhaps E wouldn't have wanted Graceland opened at all? Seems the majority of fans think it's a great deal for them, and some even praise Cilla for opening it up . . . but SHE left that home, walked away from it, but there was no sentiment left for her . . . it became merely a place, a money-maker.

But what about E?? What about HIS feelings?

That was HIS home, it had many wonderful memories for him, and it was his respite from the world, the fans, the tours, all the craziness he encountered in his career . . . a place to which he could return and feel truly at home . . . so what makes anyone think he would have wanted his home turned into such a spectacle, a pseudo-carnival for the lookie-loos . . .??


If you respected the man . . . respect his privacy.

EP wanted Graceland opened to the public. It was his request and wish. Ginger Alden even said it in 1977 after he died in a interview with 20/20, 5 years before it became a reality..

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

Has anyone ever considered . . .

and don't flame me for this - I'm just posing questions for thought on this forum . . .

but has anyone considered that perhaps E wouldn't have wanted Graceland opened at all? Seems the majority of fans think it's a great deal for them, and some even praise Cilla for opening it up . . . but SHE left that home, walked away from it, but there was no sentiment left for her . . . it became merely a place, a money-maker.

But what about E?? What about HIS feelings?

That was HIS home, it had many wonderful memories for him, and it was his respite from the world, the fans, the tours, all the craziness he encountered in his career . . . a place to which he could return and feel truly at home . . . so what makes anyone think he would have wanted his home turned into such a spectacle, a pseudo-carnival for the lookie-loos . . .??


If you respected the man . . . respect his privacy.

It is also known fact the Elvis' estate was on the verge of bankruptcy, Priscilla opened Graceland to generate revenue to make it self sustaining and build up a trust fund for LMP.

Personally I don't think Elvis would ever have wanted to open up Graceland to the public, he was a very private man and to be honest I wouldn't believe anything Ginger Alden said!

That said, It Is open and if you can make it there you should go (y)

Matt

[vulcandude]

Has anyone ever considered . . .

and don't flame me for this - I'm just posing questions for thought on this forum . . .

but has anyone considered that perhaps E wouldn't have wanted Graceland opened at all? Seems the majority of fans think it's a great deal for them, and some even praise Cilla for opening it up . . . but SHE left that home, walked away from it, but there was no sentiment left for her . . . it became merely a place, a money-maker.

But what about E?? What about HIS feelings?

That was HIS home, it had many wonderful memories for him, and it was his respite from the world, the fans, the tours, all the craziness he encountered in his career . . . a place to which he could return and feel truly at home . . . so what makes anyone think he would have wanted his home turned into such a spectacle, a pseudo-carnival for the lookie-loos . . .??


If you respected the man . . . respect his privacy. First off, just because she left Elvis and Graceland doesn't mean it doesn't hold wonderful memories for her and sentiment. Graceland was never just a "place", if it were, it wouldn't be the second most visited home in the U.S. I personally think it was wonderful that it was opened, and I love it there. But here's a question......since when did Elvis fans become " lookie-loos "? Last I knew we all loved the man.

[Jenna]

I don't want to see them touch Graceland itself. It would be nice though to see a couple of more places to eat around there.

[orwell1976]

I WANT GRACELAND TO BE TOUCHED! It would be nice, if they would present the mansion like it was when Elvis lived there. If Elvis would walk though his former home and would be told that this was how Elvis Presley lived he would laugh his backside off. ELVIS PRESLEY NEVER LIVED LIKE THAT!

Graceland has to be re-decorated again. Just move in all the stuff that was there when Elvis died. And than the visitors could see the real Elvis and not something like Priscilla thinks Elvis should have lived if he only had a better taste.

I would like to see some kind of a "jumpsuit museum" next to Graceland. There are a lot of fans who are interested in the concert years of the king and it would be nice to have those suit on a permantent display combined with memorabila from Vegas and Tahoe.

:king:

[Diane]

I've never been fortunate enough yet to see Graceland but I agree with Orwell1976 that it should be restored to EXACTLY as it was when Elvis lived there. The racket ball court should be restored as well and a museum built next to the grounds (outside the walls) to hold all the jumpsuits, trohpies etc.

[EP75]

I WANT GRACELAND TO BE TOUCHED! It would be nice, if they would present the mansion like it was when Elvis lived there. If Elvis would walk though his former home and would be told that this was how Elvis Presley lived he would laugh his backside off. ELVIS PRESLEY NEVER LIVED LIKE THAT!

Graceland has to be re-decorated again. Just move in all the stuff that was there when Elvis died. And than the visitors could see the real Elvis and not something like Priscilla thinks Elvis should have lived if he only had a better taste.

I would like to see some kind of a "jumpsuit museum" next to Graceland. There are a lot of fans who are interested in the concert years of the king and it would be nice to have those suit on a permantent display combined with memorabila from Vegas and Tahoe.

:king:

I expect a jumpsuit museum and exhibit to be part of the massive changes in store. But I don't think it will be next to Graceland but across the street where all the redevelopments will be.

[vulcandude]

I say leave everything behind the gates be, even the racquetball court as it is now. All I'd like to see are changes in the areas across the street.

[srj1967]

It was SO Linda "tramp" Thompson . . . the photos her "friend" took of upstairs are horrendous! I don't know how anyone could NOT have been depressed in such awful surroundings. Elvis should have opened the windows, let some light in, and gotten out of the gloom. (Of course, some think he did.)

Linda Thompson was no tramp. She was the best thing to happen to Elvis, and certainly the classiest and most intelligent woman he ever dated. (y)

[Donut]

Has anyone ever considered . . .

and don't flame me for this - I'm just posing questions for thought on this forum . . .

but has anyone considered that perhaps E wouldn't have wanted Graceland opened at all? Seems the majority of fans think it's a great deal for them, and some even praise Cilla for opening it up . . . but SHE left that home, walked away from it, but there was no sentiment left for her . . . it became merely a place, a money-maker.

But what about E?? What about HIS feelings?

That was HIS home, it had many wonderful memories for him, and it was his respite from the world, the fans, the tours, all the craziness he encountered in his career . . . a place to which he could return and feel truly at home . . . so what makes anyone think he would have wanted his home turned into such a spectacle, a pseudo-carnival for the lookie-loos . . .??


If you respected the man . . . respect his privacy.

I have wondered the same thing many times. And could be true because even though they opend it to the public you just can see half of it, so they know it is something maybe he wouldn?t have accepted. Anyway where he is now he don?t need the house anymore but maybe he just wanted the house to pass to Lisa?s hands just for her living in it.
I rather see the house the way he left it not how they think it should have been considering that if he made it look that way (red drapes, etc...) it was his taste and the house was HIS and he could decor it however he wanted so for me it has already been touched and remodeled many years ago.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

I rather see the house the way he left it not how they think it should have been considering that if he made it look that way (red drapes, etc...) it was his taste and the house was HIS and he could decor it however he wanted so for me it has already been touched and remodeled many years ago.

I agree, Graceland is far from how it was left August 16th 1977, the fact that it was 30 years ago and fans have been walking through Graceland for over twenty years will have left it's toll. Graceland for all in tense and purposes is now a facimilie of how it used to look and through the eyes of Priscilla (and I mean no disrespect here) Graceland is a museim that displays artifacts owned by Elvis, it has ceased to be a home even though "Elvis By The Presley's has tried to portray it as otherwise, having Christmas dinner etc. I'm pretty sure that LMP doesn't view it as home?

Matt

[Diane]

I imagine what Elvis would have wanted most to have happened to Graceland would have been for LMP to make her home there and raise her family and have it passed down from generation to generation. No way that could happen now since it was turned into a museum. No one could live in a place that is constantly traipsed through by millions of people a year.

[jak]

The fans apply to much sentimentality towards Graceland.How many here live in the home their parents ocuppied?Nobody should think Lisa should live there.Graceland is just another business now.It's a tourist attraction not a home.I remember my first trip to the house back in 1979.You could only walk up the driveway and go to the graves.Back then you felt like you were on sacred ground.It's something I will never forget.Now with the house open and so many years gone by it's all changed.It just doesnt have the same "presence" it once had.
Jak

[Jungleroom76]

The fans apply to much sentimentality towards Graceland.How many here live in the home their parents ocuppied?Nobody should think Lisa should live there.Graceland is just another business now.It's a tourist attraction not a home.I remember my first trip to the house back in 1979.You could only walk up the driveway and go to the graves.Back then you felt like you were on sacred ground.It's something I will never forget.Now with the house open and so many years gone by it's all changed.It just doesnt have the same "presence" it once had.
Jak

I would respectfully have to disagree with you on this one Jak!! :blush:

The very first time I visited Graceland in 1987, as I drove down Elvis Presley Boulevard and got closer and closer to those infamous gates, there was a feeling like no other for me....the years of excitement and anticipation of someday being able to see where Elvis Presley lived had finally brought me to Graceland....and I could SWEAR that if you listened closely....you could hear "Also Sprach Zarathustra" playing in the stillness of the morning Memphis air....I know it sounds kind of silly, but man the "presence" was there for me!! (y)

And when I was lucky enough to return to Graceland in 2000, as I approached the gates of Graceland for the very first time on that trip....the EXACT SAME feeling came over me again!!!

So although things have certainly changed in Memphis and around Graceland since Elvis passed away on that fateful August day, I have to honestly say that, at least for me, Graceland still has the same "presence" it did back when Elvis was still alive...and probably always will!! :king:

TCB!
Mike

[vulcandude]

I would respectfully have to disagree with you on this one Jak!! :blush:

The very first time I visited Graceland in 1987, as I drove down Elvis Presley Boulevard and got closer and closer to those infamous gates, there was a feeling like no other for me....the years of excitement and anticipation of someday being able to see where Elvis Presley lived had finally brought me to Graceland....and I could SWEAR that if you listened closely....you could hear "Also Sprach Zarathustra" playing in the stillness of the morning Memphis air....I know it sounds kind of silly, but man the "presence" was there for me!! (y)

And when I was lucky enough to return to Graceland in 2000, as I approached the gates of Graceland for the very first time on that trip....the EXACT SAME feeling came over me again!!!

So although things have certainly changed in Memphis and around Graceland since Elvis passed away on that fateful August day, I have to honestly say that, at least for me, Graceland still has the same "presence" it did back when Elvis was still alive...and probably always will!! :king:

TCB!
MikeMike, I have to agree with you. I went in 1984 and again in 1989. Both times I felt Elvis' "presence". First time was strange though, I was in the Jungle Room when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.....when I turned around, (and I swear to God on this), I saw Elvis go by me. And by the graves, the only other time I cried so hard was when my grandmother died 10 years ago.....

[Jungleroom76]

Mike, I have to agree with you. I went in 1984 and again in 1989. Both times I felt Elvis' "presence". First time was strange though, I was in the Jungle Room when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder.....when I turned around, (and I swear to God on this), I saw Elvis go by me. And by the graves, the only other time I cried so hard was when my grandmother died 10 years ago.....

WOW!!! :supriced:

What a feeling that must have been for you in the Jungle Room....I can't even begin to imagine what that must have felt like...although if that had happened to me personally, I think you probably would have had to pick me up off the floor from fainting...

Thanks for sharing that story....it definitely lends itself to Elvis' presence being in the house back then...today....and FOREVER!!!

TCB!
Mike

[vulcandude]

WOW!!! :supriced:

What a feeling that must have been for you in the Jungle Room....I can't even begin to imagine what that must have felt like...although if that had happened to me personally, I think you probably would have had to pick me up off the floor from fainting...

Thanks for sharing that story....it definitely lends itself to Elvis' presence being in the house back then...today....and FOREVER!!!

TCB!
MikeMike, believe me, I felt like doing the same......and I've heard of other fans' accounts of having gone through similar experiences. I never had an experience like that before or since.....although I do have another very interesting Elvis story to tell if you'd ever like to hear about it.