Mini-Graceland created by an Elvis fan

[presley31]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1021229/Pictured-Mini-Graceland-created-Elvis-fan-Lancashire-24-years-making.html

[Unchained Melody]

Cool ! Thnx!!;)

[Lisarose]

There's also a 'mini-Graceland' in Texas - down in the valley. It was recreated by an
army buddy of Elvis'. He even has a replica of the gates. I wonder just how many of
these mini museums exist around the world? Anybody?

[Albert]

Mini-Graceland created by an Elvis fan in Lancashire that was 24 years in the making

By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 6:13 PM on 22nd May 2008

Visitors to property developer John Turner's home are all shook up within seconds of walking through his front door. For the Elvis-mad music fan's house is a shrine to the King. John has taken 24 years to create his very own version of Graceland - in Leigh, Lancashire, and Elvis Presley memorabilia adorns every wall.

John has been a dedicated Elvis fan since he was 15 and his love and loyalty for the icon has never wavered.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-015734F200000578-681_468x309.jpg
King in his castle: Elvis fan John Turner shows off his very own Graceland

"I've been devoted to him since I first heard his music and that moment literally changed my life. I've been collecting Elvis stuff ever since. "I've visited Graceland - his home in Memphis - three times, which I found fascinating. It was very emotional for me. "I have a photograph of me crying at his grave."

Just like his idol, John's life has taken some interesting twists and turns.

In his early twenties a friend took him to a wrestling club where he discovered a talent for the sport and became good enough to qualify for the British Olympic Squad although he never actually made the team.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573DE800000578-974_468x286.jpg
Rock 'n' roll heaven: The Presley bar is crammed with memorabilia of the star

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157346300000578-543_468x316.jpg
SHRINE: It's all about the Kingt

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573D9B00000578-265_468x302.jpg
It's on me: Neon signs light up the Presleys Bar

John's physical fitness lead him into the world of personal security and he has worked as a bodyguard for many famous people including Boy George, Charlton Heston and even the Pope during his visit to Manchester.
Elvis loved being at home in his mansion and similarly, John is at his happiest spending time in North Gate House, the five bedroom house set in its own grounds that he bought in 1984.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573D8F00000578-195_224x423.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573CF300000578-332_224x423.jpg

Every nook and cranny has a took of kitsch Americana
John said: "I've also enjoyed dressing the interior of the house and creating a look for each room. "I call the hallway Rock and Roll Alley and I have the Presley Bar where I serve drinks and put on music for my friends.
"No matter how many unusual things I pick up on my travels I always seem to find a place for them.

"The rooms in the house have evolved and Elvis is the key to it all. I love having his image all around me. I just can't stop putting him up although I am running out of wall space!"

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573C6300000578-901_468x310.jpg
Lifelong addiction: John can't get enough of that Elvis feeling

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157357600000578-997_468x310.jpg
Take a seat

In John's home you'd be hard pressed to find something that isn't emblazoned with Elvis Presley. Everything from coasters and cushions to life-size cardboard cut outs of the man on guard outside the toilet door. Neon signs light up the Presley Bar and there's even an Elvis one-armed bandit. Two original jukeboxes, a 1960 Rock-ola and 1955 Wurlitzer, have pride of place in the corner, and on top of the Wurlitzer sits an old Teddy once cuddled by the King on stage which John bought off the internet.

Two of John's most prized possessions are his Elvis autograph, bought from the fan club, and his 1959 blue Cadillac that originally came from Las Vegas.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157361100000578-635_468x356.jpg
Viva Lancs Vegas: Turner with his Americanised house and matching 1959 blue Cadillac - which even has a record player under the dashboard. Below: the real Graceland

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-025990770000044D-14_468x357.jpg

"I bought the car along with the jukeboxes from a guy in Manchester twelve years ago," says John.

"I've always had a passion for authenticity and my jaw dropped when I first saw the car. "It has beautiful pale blue upholstery and a Phillips' record player under the dashboard where you can slide in a 45.

"I also made an Elvis dummy continental kit for the back (where the spare wheel is usually kept) and that always gets admiring glances when I'm driving around."

The biggest kick John gets from his years of dedication to Elvis is when friends visit his home.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573CD200000578-956_468x311.jpg
Rockin' in the kichen: John loves his house best when friends visit

The genial host regularly throws rock 'n' roll themed parties with his friend and Elvis lookalike Ron Highley doing the 'meet and greet' and trophy-winning dancers Glynn Dobinson and Joan Bibby jitterbugging under the mirror ball on the kitchen floor. "The kitchen has been designed for dancing," says John.

"The sign above the archway says 'At The Hop' and that's exactly what it is.

"I stand behind the Presley Bar and keep the music playing. We have some great parties. Some of them stretch to three-day events. "Friends bring their sleeping bags, we dress up and dance until we drop!"

Youthful-looking John keeps himself fit with regular visits to the rock 'n' roll nights at Tonge Ward Labour Club in Bolton where he recently met singer Linda Gail Lewis, sister of Jerry Lee Lewis. "I love sharing the house with friends," concludes John. "I do like to show it off and it's great when people appreciate it as much as I do. Living here has given me such a lot of pleasure."

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157352400000578-346_468x309.jpg
Purrfect: John shares his house with thousands of items of memorabilia


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573DE300000578-117_468x319.jpg

[rmk101]

Cool! Thanks for the pics!

[Elvistcbkirch]

A true fan...

[The Welz]

To me the only connection to Graceland is the bad taste...

[cameron]

A true fan...

:hmm: I didn't see the bathroom, did you? :doh:

[presley31]

:hmm: I didn't see the bathroom, did you? :doh:

now now cameron everyone's entilted to like the bathroom:doh:

[marijaep]

I must say that I don't like it. Looks a bit tacky to me :blush:

[Tony Trout]

Mini-Graceland created by an Elvis fan in Lancashire that was 24 years in the making

By Daily Mail Reporter (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Daily+Mail+Reporter)
Last updated at 6:13 PM on 22nd May 2008

Visitors to property developer John Turner's home are all shook up within seconds of walking through his front door. For the Elvis-mad music fan's house is a shrine to the King. John has taken 24 years to create his very own version of Graceland - in Leigh, Lancashire, and Elvis Presley memorabilia adorns every wall.

John has been a dedicated Elvis fan since he was 15 and his love and loyalty for the icon has never wavered.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-015734F200000578-681_468x309.jpg
King in his castle: Elvis fan John Turner shows off his very own Graceland

"I've been devoted to him since I first heard his music and that moment literally changed my life. I've been collecting Elvis stuff ever since. "I've visited Graceland - his home in Memphis - three times, which I found fascinating. It was very emotional for me. "I have a photograph of me crying at his grave."

Just like his idol, John's life has taken some interesting twists and turns.

In his early twenties a friend took him to a wrestling club where he discovered a talent for the sport and became good enough to qualify for the British Olympic Squad although he never actually made the team.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573DE800000578-974_468x286.jpg
Rock 'n' roll heaven: The Presley bar is crammed with memorabilia of the star

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157346300000578-543_468x316.jpg
SHRINE: It's all about the Kingt

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573D9B00000578-265_468x302.jpg
It's on me: Neon signs light up the Presleys Bar

John's physical fitness lead him into the world of personal security and he has worked as a bodyguard for many famous people including Boy George, Charlton Heston and even the Pope during his visit to Manchester.
Elvis loved being at home in his mansion and similarly, John is at his happiest spending time in North Gate House, the five bedroom house set in its own grounds that he bought in 1984.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573D8F00000578-195_224x423.jpg
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573CF300000578-332_224x423.jpg

Every nook and cranny has a took of kitsch Americana
John said: "I've also enjoyed dressing the interior of the house and creating a look for each room. "I call the hallway Rock and Roll Alley and I have the Presley Bar where I serve drinks and put on music for my friends.
"No matter how many unusual things I pick up on my travels I always seem to find a place for them.

"The rooms in the house have evolved and Elvis is the key to it all. I love having his image all around me. I just can't stop putting him up although I am running out of wall space!"

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573C6300000578-901_468x310.jpg
Lifelong addiction: John can't get enough of that Elvis feeling

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157357600000578-997_468x310.jpg
Take a seat

In John's home you'd be hard pressed to find something that isn't emblazoned with Elvis Presley. Everything from coasters and cushions to life-size cardboard cut outs of the man on guard outside the toilet door. Neon signs light up the Presley Bar and there's even an Elvis one-armed bandit. Two original jukeboxes, a 1960 Rock-ola and 1955 Wurlitzer, have pride of place in the corner, and on top of the Wurlitzer sits an old Teddy once cuddled by the King on stage which John bought off the internet.

Two of John's most prized possessions are his Elvis autograph, bought from the fan club, and his 1959 blue Cadillac that originally came from Las Vegas.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157361100000578-635_468x356.jpg
Viva Lancs Vegas: Turner with his Americanised house and matching 1959 blue Cadillac - which even has a record player under the dashboard. Below: the real Graceland

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-025990770000044D-14_468x357.jpg

"I bought the car along with the jukeboxes from a guy in Manchester twelve years ago," says John.

"I've always had a passion for authenticity and my jaw dropped when I first saw the car. "It has beautiful pale blue upholstery and a Phillips' record player under the dashboard where you can slide in a 45.

"I also made an Elvis dummy continental kit for the back (where the spare wheel is usually kept) and that always gets admiring glances when I'm driving around."

The biggest kick John gets from his years of dedication to Elvis is when friends visit his home.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573CD200000578-956_468x311.jpg
Rockin' in the kichen: John loves his house best when friends visit

The genial host regularly throws rock 'n' roll themed parties with his friend and Elvis lookalike Ron Highley doing the 'meet and greet' and trophy-winning dancers Glynn Dobinson and Joan Bibby jitterbugging under the mirror ball on the kitchen floor. "The kitchen has been designed for dancing," says John.

"The sign above the archway says 'At The Hop' and that's exactly what it is.

"I stand behind the Presley Bar and keep the music playing. We have some great parties. Some of them stretch to three-day events. "Friends bring their sleeping bags, we dress up and dance until we drop!"

Youthful-looking John keeps himself fit with regular visits to the rock 'n' roll nights at Tonge Ward Labour Club in Bolton where he recently met singer Linda Gail Lewis, sister of Jerry Lee Lewis. "I love sharing the house with friends," concludes John. "I do like to show it off and it's great when people appreciate it as much as I do. Living here has given me such a lot of pleasure."

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-0157352400000578-346_468x309.jpg
Purrfect: John shares his house with thousands of items of memorabilia


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2008/05/22/article-1021229-01573DE300000578-117_468x319.jpg




Sorry but this looks more like a shrine than an exact duplicate of Graceland.....and much more tacky than Graceland itself. :doh::doh:

[cameron]

now now cameron everyone's entilted to like the bathroom:doh:
Of course, you're quite right. I was trying to help find it. ;)

I'm afraid I have to agree with others though. It is pretty tacky and looks nothing like Graceland. But, if he likes it and wants to live there, it's none of my business . :blink:

[presley31]

Of course, you're quite right. I was trying to help find it. ;)
I'm afraid I have to agree with others though. It is pretty tacky and looks nothing like Graceland. But, if he likes it and wants to live there, it's none of my business . :blink:

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm111/peteshoard/IMAG0096.jpg

found the bathroom for you cameron, wouldn't want to see you get lost:lol::lol::lol:

[cameron]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm111/peteshoard/IMAG0096.jpg

found the bathroom for you cameron, wouldn't want to see you get lost:lol::lol::lol:
You're too good to me, Jen !! I sure hope everyone sees this !! ;) :P

[Erhan]

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm111/peteshoard/IMAG0096.jpg

found the bathroom for you cameron, wouldn't want to see you get lost:lol::lol::lol:

where is the toilet paper?:angry:

[cameron]

:hmm: I guess we could say we're SOL , Erhan. ;)

[Diane]

I found it tacky too. Too much trashy Elvis memorabilia around. I like the original Graceland. Sure it's a bit tacky here and there but not overcrowded with junk. I still love the jungleroom.:D

Diane

[presley31]

:hmm: I guess we could say we're SOL , Erhan. ;)

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p144/amy7884/Littlebaddog.jpg


Guess this is what happened to the toliet paper:lmfao::lmfao:

[cameron]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p144/amy7884/Littlebaddog.jpg


Guess this is what happened to the toliet paper:lmfao::lmfao:

You, got us, Jen !! You're a quick one !!(y) :lmfao: :lmfao: :notworthy

[utmom2008]

http://i127.photobucket.com/albums/p144/amy7884/Littlebaddog.jpg


Guess this is what happened to the toliet paper:lmfao::lmfao:

Now this little guy is the ONLY thing I have seen so far that is not 100% tacky.;););)

[utmom2008]

To me the only connection to Graceland is the bad taste...


I must say that I don't like it. Looks a bit tacky to me :blush:


Sorry but this looks more like a shrine than an exact duplicate of Graceland.....and much more tacky than Graceland itself. :doh::doh:

I could NOT agree more! TACKY!!!!(n)(n)

[goodelvisgirl]

thats true dedication to elvis but i must say ti does look a bit tacky alot of work must have gone into i like his car thats the best thing about the house and all his stuff thanks for sharing

[SweetCaroline]

Sorry but this looks more like a shrine than an exact duplicate of Graceland.....and much more tacky than Graceland itself. :doh::doh:


I am glad that John loves Elvis.......but I agree with you, Tony...this "duplicate"??? looks really tacky to my eyes.
Looks like John has good taste in icons and not much else to me. :blink::blink::blink:

[SweetCaroline]

Now this little guy is the ONLY thing I have seen so far that is not 100% tacky.;););)


Isn't that Yorkie so cute!!! (y)(y)(y)

[Wendy56]

That is not original, actually... I find it a bit weird because doesn't look like real GL. There is one couple that created a nice mini-replica of Graceland about 14 years ago. If any of you is interesting in getting the article (is in one of Susan Doll's books) about, I can send that. :D The replica is kind of a Barbie little home. Cute and fun. :blush:

[KELVIS56]

Not keen on the decor but i love the car !!