Open Graceland

[SatninLove]

If you were Priscilla's position,and were in charge of Graceland,would you open Graceland up to the public?:hmm:

[nyc]

Everyone will disagree with me on this, LOL.

I don't think it should have been opened to the public. Every single thing about Elvis is now public knowledge - from his bathing habits to his bowel movements to his sex life. I don't think his home should have become public property, too.

I see why Priscilla and the other trustees decided to open it, though - it's provided a pile of money for Lisa.

But I don't care about that. Lisa could have made do with a million or two - or could have worked for a living, like the rest of us.

[SatninLove]

I agree with that Nyc.Just sometimes that question ponders me..I mean Elvis was such a private person..Sometimes I just think Elvis wouldn't have wanted Graceland open.It was his personal haven...It was in some part him...
But I understand why they opened it..
-SatninLove

[nyc]

I agree with that Nyc.Just sometimes that question ponders me..I mean Elvis was such a private person..Sometimes I just think Elvis wouldn't have wanted Graceland open.It was his personal haven...It was in some part him...
But I understand why they opened it..

I'm pretty sure you and I will be a minority of two here, LOL.

But at least I'm not all alone!

[ehollier]

If you were Priscilla's position,and were in charge of Graceland,would you open Graceland up to the public?:hmm:

If I was in Priscilla's position, I would probably see that my options where very very limited and opening it would have been something that I wouldn't have wanted to do, but being faced with the other options available, what other choice do you have; however, as private a person that Elvis was, I don't think HE would have opened it. And I agree, we know far too much about Elvis' personal life than anyone should.

[The King's Queen]

WOW... this is a tricky question! :blink:;)

In order to answer it appropriately, one must try to think as Pris thinks. :doh: And in doing that, I have to say that if I were Pris, which I'm glad I'm not, btw...lol...I would not have opened it up to the fans. My reason for saying this all boils down to the contempt for Elvis' fans that she has admitted having. I feel that opening it up and raking in the dough off of people that she doesn't care for is hypocritical at best. Guess that means that the fans are being used to cushion her prominent lifestyle....:supriced:;)

However, since I am NOT Prissy...if I were in charge, I would have opened it up just as it was when he left it. I feel that it is an honor to be able to walk through his home and look at the little pieces of his life. Elvis has a fiercely loyal fanbase. I feel that as much as he cared about his fans, he wouldn't mind them being able to tour the home he loved so much. Sure, he was very private, but I think he would be awed to know that even after so many years, people still flock to Graceland in memory of him. He was just humble enough to be deeply touched by such devotion...IMO.

I hope this explains my thoughts...lol...no doubt, some will find it a tad bit confusing! :hmm::doh::lmfao:

[suspicious_mind]

Well seeing as Priscilla was in it for the money then yeah if i were her id have opened it.
But if a person that really loved Elvis wouldve had control over it then theyd have taken Elvis' interests to heart and kept his house private.

[Donut]

Everyone will disagree with me on this, LOL.

I don't think it should have been opened to the public. Every single thing about Elvis is now public knowledge - from his bathing habits to his bowel movements to his sex life. I don't think his home should have become public property, too.

I see why Priscilla and the other trustees decided to open it, though - it's provided a pile of money for Lisa.

But I don't care about that. Lisa could have made do with a million or two - or could have worked for a living, like the rest of us.

No, I don't. Exactly my opinion from beginning to end.

[Getlo]

this all boils down to the contempt for Elvis' fans that she has admitted having.

Where, exactly, did she say this?

Graceland had to be opened to the public, it's as simple as that.

Otherwise, without the City of Memphis willing to maintain it, it would have fallen into disrepair.

Having said that, I would like to see it closed eventually, and let Elvis rest in peace. But that ain't gonna happen.

[The King's Queen]

Where, exactly, did she say this?

Graceland had to be opened to the public, it's as simple as that.

Otherwise, without the City of Memphis willing to maintain it, it would have fallen into disrepair.

Having said that, I would like to see it closed eventually, and let Elvis rest in peace. But that ain't gonna happen.

She said it in her book. I'm not real good with dates and specifics, but I def have heard her give interviews where she had said that his fans were "always around" and that "they bothered her". Sounds like blatant dislike to me....:blink: ;) And who in their right mind could or would think that they could be with Elvis Presley and not have to deal with his fans??? :doh:

I don't dispute the fact that it had to be opened for financial reasons. But I do think that if that were the main idea, they could have opened it up for a specific amount of time each year just to keep it afloat. But instead, they chose to let it be bringing in the bucks all of the time. I know that "business is business" and EPE is a business and all of that garbage, but the fact remains that she didn't care much for his fans and yet, she has no problem taking whatever they are willing to spend. That in itself speaks volumes for her character, IMO. (n)

I do agree with you though...I doubt that it will be closed to the public. Unless, of course, it would somehow no longer yield a profit. Only time will tell....

[ehollier]

She said it in her book. I'm not real good with dates and specifics, but I def have heard her give interviews where she had said that his fans were "always around" and that "they bothered her". Sounds like blatant dislike to me....:blink: ;) And who in their right mind could or would think that they could be with Elvis Presley and not have to deal with his fans??? :doh:

....


I don't believe that b/c fans bothered her, that would make her have contempt for them. I also think that Elvis also had times when he didn't want to 'always be around the fans'. Elvis also kept Priscilla away from the fans, too, so it wouldn't be unusual for her to be uncomfortable around them. But she doesn't have contempt for them. There is a member here here who used to visit at the Bel Air house and said that Priscilla was nothing but nice and kind to the fans.

[goodelvisgirl]

well i see why they opened it to the pubic although i don't think elvis would have wanted that as he was such a private man i think everything about elvis is out there open to the public and somethings should just be kept private and let him rest in peace and leave his memory intact but thinking if they had not opened it how would they have paid for the up keep what would graceland be like now and i suppose it gives fans the oppertunity to see the man behind the legend but i think they should not have opened it

[The King's Queen]

I don't believe that b/c fans bothered her, that would make her have contempt for them. I also think that Elvis also had times when he didn't want to 'always be around the fans'. Elvis also kept Priscilla away from the fans, too, so it wouldn't be unusual for her to be uncomfortable around them. But she doesn't have contempt for them. There is a member here here who used to visit at the Bel Air house and said that Priscilla was nothing but nice and kind to the fans.

Perhaps I am different than most...but if someone or something bothers me, I would indeed consider that I disliked that person or thing. ;) I'm sorry, but I don't believe for one teeny tiny minute that she was ever all about his fans! In fact, I do believe that I read somewhere that Elvis had cautioned her about her behavior toward the fans...reminding her that they had put him where he was. :hmm: Does anyone else remember reading anything about that???

[ehollier]

Perhaps I am different than most...but if someone or something bothers me, I would indeed consider that I disliked that person or thing. ;) I'm sorry, but I don't believe for one teeny tiny minute that she was ever all about his fans! In fact, I do believe that I read somewhere that Elvis had cautioned her about her behavior toward the fans...reminding her that they had put him where he was. :hmm: Does anyone else remember reading anything about that???


I never once said that she was 'all about his fans.' Only that she didn't have contempt for EP's fans. There is a difference between feeling uncomfortable around the fans and having contempt for them. Since we have a member that visited there regularily who has said that she was nothing but nice to the fans that were consistently hanging around the gate and also a moderator who says that she is extremely kind and gentle with the fans because he's actually met her, I'm going to go along with that, since I, to my knowledge, don't think you've met her.

[Diane]

I'm really of two minds on this one. On one hand the idea that Graceland may have fallen into disrepair and torn down if Priscilla hadn't agreed to open it to the public breaks my heart, on the other hand I feel that Elvis' privacy has been totally shattered.

I'm going to be unpopular when I say that the candlelight vigil bothers me as it seems to portrait him as a saint which he wasn't and I think that would have bothered him...flattered at bit yes, but mostly bothered him that some people see him that way and some even go so far as to call him a god and now there's going to be an Elvis church???. Seems like fans could honor him in a way that would be more acceptable to him if they could really see him the way he was and still love him instead of making up this unrealistic godlike image.

Also the commercial side of EPE pretty much leaves him in the dust as far as Elvis "the person and fantastic entertainer" goes. Basically it's all gone too far.........

Diane

[The King's Queen]

I never once said that she was 'all about his fans.' Only that she didn't have contempt for EP's fans. There is a difference between feeling uncomfortable around the fans and having contempt for them. Since we have a member that visited there regularily who has said that she was nothing but nice to the fans that were consistently hanging around the gate and also a moderator who says that she is extremely kind and gentle with the fans because he's actually met her, I'm going to go along with that, since I, to my knowledge, don't think you've met her.

Your knowledge is legendary Liz....I have not met her nor do I wish to! For the record, I never said that you had ever said that she was "all about the fans". That was stated as being MY opinion. I never linked it to you in any manner. Perhaps you assumed that it was directed toward you...but it was not.

However, there is such a thing as being "two faced". :supriced: That generally means that people will find it necessary for whatever reason to be nice to someone when there is something that they can gain from it. If I were betting on it, I would choose that theory myself. ;) It is up to the individual to decide for themselves what her motive(s) may or may not be. I have obviously made my decision....

[presley31]

Everyone will disagree with me on this, LOL.

I don't think it should have been opened to the public. Every single thing about Elvis is now public knowledge - from his bathing habits to his bowel movements to his sex life. I don't think his home should have become public property, too.

I see why Priscilla and the other trustees decided to open it, though - it's provided a pile of money for Lisa.

But I don't care about that. Lisa could have made do with a million or two - or could have worked for a living, like the rest of us.

I don't disgree. I would like graceland to be private but however if things are bad than l would do the same as priscilla and open it to the public and made sure elvis daughter was well looked after.

[Getlo]

She said it in her book. I'm not real good with dates and specifics, but I def have heard her give interviews where she had said that his fans were "always around" and that "they bothered her". Sounds like blatant dislike to me....

Supposition, I'm afraid.

[The King's Queen]

Supposition, I'm afraid.

As is most of what is associated with Elvis I assume. :rolleyes:

[utmom2008]

There is a member here here who used to visit at the Bel Air house and said that Priscilla was nothing but nice and kind to the fans.

Was it Fillaelvis while he was having a heart-to-heart talk with Joe Esposito?;);):lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Lainey]

Also the commercial side of EPE pretty much leaves him in the dust as far as Elvis "the person and fantastic entertainer" goes. Basically it's all gone too far.........

Diane

I could not agree more with this statement.

I would have opened the house just to be able to hold on to it. I don't think I would have tried to turn it into an empire. I'm not that greedy. Keeping Graceland as close as possible to be a home would have been my thinking.

I definitely would not have placed Elvis' face on everything short of toilet paper. Nor would I have encouraged ETA's.

[MissyM]

Billy said she didn't want to open it up at first. I do think that's what she portrayed. It is said she would wait months to sign contracts and deal with things the other executors needed her ok on. Now, ya just have to wonder, why on earth would she do that??? So when exactly did she start to CARE about her daughters inheiritance??? Why would anyone let it get to the point of having to open it in the first place. It is said that the other executors recommended she open it. Well hello, if she's just going to let it set there and go to pot what else could they do. I mean just because there was a wearhouse of his personal effects that could have been sold to keep it out of the red..why do that??? BTW-even a small amount was auctioned off for money for Presley Place. So it seems she didn't have a problem with the idea of auctioning off when it suit them. And yet, why did they not do it then???
Of course now Lisa says she would never live in it, but by now she doesn't have much of a choice since Sillerman has a 100 yer lease on the place. Who knows what she would have done, had she been given the option when she became of age. She did move out pretty young.
And think about this, before she sold the 85 percent she could have closed it at any time to use as a second home. By then she sure was rich enough to do so. But nope, they go and sell Elvis off to the highest bidder.
I ask, what would Elvis have wanted? Yes he wanted his daughter taken care of, but there were other possibilities and lets not translate that into "Elvis wanted to make his daughter and ex multimillionaires.
Would Elvis have wanted people in his house? Would he have liked being commercialized when he was the one who was over-whelmed at times by it and the commercialism of those stupid movies? Would he have wanted his horses being glared at or ridden? Would he have loved to have family there still riding golf carts and his grandchildren playing in the yard, swimming in the pool on a consistant basis? Would he have wanted the next generation owning it, living in it (at least part-time) and being proud of it as his mother, father, and he was?

[jeanelvisgirl]

I guess the alternative was to sell it .... it is now an industry ... makes you think though doesn't it....if they had sold it.......what would the Elvis World be like now....

[MissyM]

Selling it was not the only alternative.

[jeanelvisgirl]

Actually - I was just rethinking - how could she have sold it - Elvis and Vernon were buried there - they would have had to move them again.....

[SatninLove]

Sometimes I just think that they need to close Graceland...It's become to publisized,...I love Graceland and have been many times,and I will be there many more times as well,but It's kind of sad when you visit there..
-SatninLove

[SatninLove]

becouse it is so commercialized...
-SatninLove

[presley31]

Sillerman would be crying if the house got closed and become just for lisa and children.

[Diane]

All this poses a question....what is going to happen to Elvis, Gladys and Vernon's bodies if Graceland is closed or sold???

Diane

[presley31]

All this poses a question....what is going to happen to Elvis, Gladys and Vernon's bodies if Graceland is closed or sold???

Diane
Good question diane (y)(y)

[MissyM]

Oh I doubt it ever will be. Unless we have a depression and people can't afford to go at all.

[Diane]

Ohhh I forgot Minnie Mae, that made me feel bad...Elvis really loved her.

Hope you're right Missy at least for a long time but I don't think Graceland will stand forever.

Diane

[presley31]

Ohhh I forgot Minnie Mae, that made me feel bad...Elvis really loved her.

Hope you're right Missy at least for a long time but I don't think Graceland will stand forever.

Diane

me either diane. its not going to look good in the future for money and etc

[MissyM]

I agree, the economy is slipping. I wonder why they keep wanting to build it up more when less people are going. Maybe they think they need to draw more people there. But if people don't have the money they don't have it. I know lots of people who simply aren't taking ANY kind of vacation. But bodies can be moved. They are dug up all the time for different reasons. And some times families move them for one reason or another. By this time maybe there won't be a risk to it. Besides they can be protected in another place too. Would you live where someone was laid to rest. Wouldn't bother me at all. If I could I'd have my brother in my yard. Ok, now you know for sure I'm weird.

[Diane]

No I don't think you're weird at all Missy. I would love to have all my family buried in our back yard so I could go out and talk to them whenever I felt like it. Buried at home to me is like dying at home vs at a cold hospital.

Diane

[jeanelvisgirl]

My daughter's ashes are scattered in my garden...I guess that's not the same as having a grave though

[kathy parkinson]

Jean, my mum's ashes are buried in her back garden, i think it's great that she's there.

[MissyM]

Whew, well if I am weird then I'm not alone. Oh and I wouldn't want to be Lisa and have to schedule a day when thousands of other people weren't around to go visit my relatives. Sometimes I just go out to the cemetary and sit on the ground and talk to them. Yeh, I know they aren't really there but somehow it comforts me.

[Diane]

I guess I'm even weirder because my parents' grave is a thousand miles away but we do have a pet cemetary and I go there and talk to them.:blush:

Diane

[MissyM]

Ok maybe you are weirder, strangley, I do understand! LOL

[presley31]

nope your not weild missy, i would love my parents ashes thown all over my background cause nature is my mom favorate place with the flowers and the birds, now that is strange

[Wendy56]

I would open only a part of Graceland... :hmm:

[MissyM]

I'm not sure how that could happen but even so, I like the idea better.

[Unique Dog]

Yes, I would have opened it. Elvis was an icon. He made history and Graceland is right up there alongside The Hermitage, Biltmore and Monticello in that respect. If were not opended to the public, there would be fans who screaming and yelling because they wanted inside. It seems no matter what Priscilla does, some people just won`t let go of their bias opinions.

[Getlo]

Elvis was an icon.


No, he was not. He was a singer, an entertainer.

An icon is a religious symbol. As discussed previously, the term is more often than not misused.

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&defl=en&q=define:ICON&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title

[Unique Dog]

There are people, I`m NOT one of them, who view him as an icon---a religious figure.

Also, definition of icon is not only a religous symbol. ;)

[4THEHEART]

I find it imposible to be in any individual's place so can't say exactly if I were her/him..but as a concept I'd prefered Graceland remained as a home, only a home to the family..as long as I'd be able to visit Elvis's grave site that'd be good enough for me..