On the 59th anniversary of Elvis Presley‘s first Las Vegas performance, Graceland opened the doors to a multi-faceted, authentic Elvis experience that showcases the man, the performer and the music that revolutionized popular culture around the world. “Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition – The Show – The Experience” opened on Thursday, April 23 at Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, the same hotel where Elvis performed more than 600 record-breaking, sold-out shows between 1969 and 1976 when it was the International Hotel and then the Las Vegas Hilton.
Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley unveil their personal treasures from the family archives at the Las Vegas opening of Graceland’s first permanent exhibition outside of Memphis. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
Lisa Marie Presley and husband Michael Lockwood attend the red carpet premiere of “The Elvis Experience” musical production with Lisa Marie’s son and Elvis’ grandson, musician Benjamin Keough. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley preside over the formal blue suede ribbon cutting ceremony, officially opening “Graceland Presents: Elvis” on April 23, 2015 (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
The first-ever permanent Elvis exhibition outside of Graceland encompasses more than 28,000 square feet and includes hundreds of artifacts from the Presley family’s treasured Graceland Archives. The exhibition takes visitors on an unprecedented journey through Elvis’ life and career, beginning with his early days in Tupelo, Mississippi through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, life at Graceland, the Las Vegas years and more. Graceland-produced videos immerse guests in the experience, concluding with a 26-minute retrospective film featuring Elvis’ greatest performances. Select artifacts will be rotated regularly with artifacts from the Graceland Archives to ensure the exhibit is constantly evolving and remains fresh. The exhibition is open seven days a week from 10 am to 10 pm. Tickets are priced at $22 plus taxes and fees, and are available for purchase at www.Graceland.com/Vegas.
Exhibition Highlights:
— Tupelo and Memphis. This collection of artifacts follows Elvis’ humble beginnings in Tupelo, Mississippi to his family’s move to Memphis, where Elvis’ discovery of gospel blues would influence his music and drive his rock & roll sound. Guests can peruse family portraits; the Presley family bible; Elvis’ 1950 and 1952 high school yearbooks, and graduation tassel; his mother Gladys’ poodle purse, dress shoes and social security card; family loan papers; and paystubs from Elvis’ first job as a delivery truck driver for Crown Electric.
The exhibit showcases Elvis’ beloved Graceland, with items such as Lisa Marie’s baby shoes, a silver tray etched with Elvis and Priscilla’s photo on their wedding day, their wedding china and more. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
Elvis’ colossal rise to fame is documented with a collection of his first singles on Sun record label, his 1955 RCA contract, gold record for his eponymous first album, and more. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
— Elvis Mania. In 1956, Elvis released his first album on the RCA recording label and appeared on a variety of nationally televised shows, including the Ed Sullivan show. This is the same year that Elvis first graced the silver screen in his acting debut, “Love Me Tender,” and had a No. 1 hit by the same name. The Elvis Mania exhibit documents this rise to fame including personal copies of his first singles on the Sun record label,1955 RCA contract, a variety of Elvis Presley collectibles, his custom leather guitar case, the gold record for his eponymous first album, and wardrobe pieces from “Jailhouse Rock,” which was released in 1957.
— Elvis in the Army. From 1958 to 1960, Elvis took a break from his singing and acting career and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. This marks a particularly poignant time in his life, as he met his future wife – Priscilla Beaulieu – while stationed in Germany. Guests in this exhibit see Elvis’ army fatigues, fan letters, a check written to Moulin Rouge from his time on leave in Paris, and iconic photos of his famous military haircut at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas.
— Graceland. At the young age of 22, Elvis purchased his first home where he would live with his mother, father and grandmother. A 17,000-square-foot property sitting on 13 acres, Graceland was a place where Elvis could relax and get away from his busy life as a singer and actor. Later in life, Priscilla and Elvis would marry and raise their daughter Lisa Marie at Graceland, a home Elvis vowed to never sell. Today, Graceland is visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year. At the Las Vegas exhibit one area that showcases Elvis’ Memphis home allows guests to see baby Lisa Marie’s footprints and baby shoes, a silver tray etched with Elvis and Priscilla’s photo on their wedding day, their wedding china and more.
Elvis’ Hollywood career is highlighted through movie scripts, posters and costumes including the coveralls worn in “Viva Las Vegas,” bomber jacket from “It Happened at the World’s Fair,” and more. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
— Elvis in Hollywood. Between 1958 and 1968, Elvis left live performance touring to serve in the U.S. Army and then focus on his movie career, starring in 31 feature films – such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “King Creole,” “Viva Las Vegas” and “Blue Hawaii” – and two theatrical musical documentaries, including Golden Globe winner “Elvis on Tour.” This exhibit features a collection of scripts, movie posters, a pair of coveralls worn in “Viva Las Vegas,” his bomber jacket from “It Happened at the World’s Fair” and more.
— Elvis in Las Vegas. For Elvis’ first stint in Las Vegas at the New Frontier in April 1956, Colonel Parker billed him as the “Atomic-Powered Singer.” This title would prove true as Elvis signed a deal with the International Hotel in 1969 and became the reigning king of live entertainment in Las Vegas, breaking all box office records for the city. Guests exploring Elvis’ Las Vegas history can see iconic stage costumes from Elvis’ live performances, Priscilla’s dress from Elvis’ opening night at the International Hotel, the suit Elvis wore when signing his 1969 contract, and never-before-displayed advertisements placed by Parker throughout the city from bus stops to billboards. Of particular note is the gold-plated belt encrusted with diamonds, rubies and sapphires that Elvis received in 1969 for breaking Las Vegas breaking box office records and later wore for a meeting with President Nixon in the Oval Office; and a contract written by Parker on a table cloth – complete with coffee stains – when owners of the International Hotel agreed to initial terms on Elvis’ long-term engagement.
Elvis on the Road: Guests to the Las Vegas exhibit can view can view cars from Elvis’ collection including a 1957 Harley Davidson motorcycle, 1962 Lincoln Continental and the 1971 prototype Stutz Blackhawk. (Images courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises)
— Elvis on the Road. Even before he became the king of rock & roll, Elvis loved anything with a motor that moved fast. This would become a theme in his life especially after he achieved fame. It’s estimated that Elvis purchased more than 200 cars – some for family and friends, others for strangers and dozens for himself – including Cadillacs, Rolls Royces, Mercedes and Harley Davidson motorcycles. Elvis was often behind the wheel driving his band members for early tours and cross-country trips. Guests to this exhibit can view cars from Elvis’ collection, including a 1957 Harley Davidson motorcycle, 1962 Lincoln Continental and the 1971 prototype Stutz Blackhawk delivered to Elvis at the International Hotel. Continue reading
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