June 7th: The Day We Went Home With Elvis

'Well it's one for the money, two for the show':
Graceland, Memphis

When the King of Rock 'n' Roll died on August 16th 1977, the world stood still to mourn His Musical Majesty, and his outstanding contribution to both the industry and culture. To commemorate such a devastating loss, his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley, opened his home Graceland to the public as a museum to celebrate his life and work. June 7th 1982 was the official first viewing of the house, only 5 years after the King's death, and enabled his greatest fans to access the real Elvis and keep the dream alive.


 Today you can visit Graceland for between $32 and $70, depending on how much you want to see. The Graceland Elvis Entourage VIP Tour ($70) includes a self-guided tour through all the exhibitions in the mansion, and an exclusive all-day pass. New to 2012, the Elvis...Through his Daughter's Eyes exhibition has opened, revealing the formerly private relationship between the King and his only child, Lisa Marie. The unveiling of secret family life is especially fascinating to fans worldwide, who are able to view family photographs and sentimental possessions. With such an exposing insight to the real Elvis Presley, there is no wonder the Graceland mansion gets up to 700,000 visitors every year. Among the masses trying to get a glimpse of his blue suede shoes, an army of celebrities come to pay their respects to the ultimate icon (to name a few: Russell Brand; Foo Fighters; Cliff Richard; Muhammad Ali; and Michael Jackson). 

Elvis Presley

 It comforts me to learnt that despite the bottom half of the multi-million dollar tourist attraction being open to anyone and everyone; the upstairs remains the King's 'inner sanctum'. Although the fans were left screaming and weak at the knees for Elvis and his thrusting pelvis, an overwhelming respect for his life and death resonates in Graceland. His Memphis home also marks the premature death of Presley, where he was victim of a cardiac arrhythmia whilst in the mansion's bathroom. Despite suspecting a prescription drug overdose, doctors cannot be sure, and the ambiguity surrounding his death adds to the tragedy. Therefore Graceland holds a great deal of significance to the existence of the King, and his body is buried in the house's Meditation Garden (although a group of men tried to steal the coffin shortly after he was buried!).

 So it seems June 7th was of vital importance in the realm of rock 'n' roll, as it welcomed the world into the home of one of the most influential and momentous figures in history. He taught millions how to dance and sing (not to mention the 33 successful films he starred in), and to this day he takes the title for the most impersonated person in the world. The quiff, the dance-moves, the heart-melting smile...Elvis was the original rockstar! And with the help of the opening of Graceland on June 7th, we can rest assured that Elvis, certainly, is not dead.