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THERE IS NOTHING ABOUT ELVIS IN HERE (Don't Look Amelia)
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Elvis is an example of a time when idols were idolized instead of scrutinized. Look at the second half of his life. The karate phase, the flamboyant costumes, the peanut butter and nanner sandwiches, sex, drugs, drugs, firearms, etc etc. But through it all the fans just like turned their heads and sang along with him. He was a total whack-job at the end all bloated and wearing capes and stuff but his fans only remembered the Jail House Rock Elvis, young and dashing. I never was really an Elvis fan and even skip right over the Elvis channel on XM radio but I see that he has lasting power for who people want him to be, NOT for who he ended up being
I went to Graceland a little over a year ago and enjoyed it, though I was hoping the security personell would all be dressed in Elvis costumes. I listen to early Elvis, mostly the Sun Records stuff, when I want a good rockabilly fix. I've never watched any of his movies although I did watch the movie Elvis Meets Nixon and was quite entertained by it.
My 8 yr old daughter loves him. She loves watching his movies.
Yes, the Sun Records era stuff is awesome. Hey Dan, do you remember when Warrenton, MO had the Elvis is Alive museum and cafe that was ran by a grizzled, old Elvis impersonator? I think that Graceland threatened him with a trademark infringement lawsuit and he had to change the name at some point.
I went to an Elvis impersonator convention once in Chicago. The radio station at which I worked got free tickets. It was awesome. They had all different kinds of Elvises. They had a Hawaiian Elvis, a Swedish Elvis, some female Elvises, etc. The old ladies loved the young Elvis impersonators. Some clothing was thrown. It was creepy. I'll leave it at that.
I only found out about the Elvis is Alive museum after it closed. According to RoadsideAmerica, it re-opened in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Did you guys go to Sun Records? It's so small but so cool...Reminds me of that Jim Jarmusch movie...Mystery Train...
My only visit to Graceland was a poignant experience. The whole place, and his life in general, exemplifies how making it big doesn't necessarily bring happiness or fullfillment. I'm sure at the time he was thinking that if he could just buy his mamma a mansion and a pink Cadillac everything would just be perfect.But with all of the handlers/enablers/hangers on around him, he was doomed to fall victim to his excesses.
Graceland is full of stuff -- but it's empty at the same time.
I was really kinda hoping that this was a happy birthday thread for KD. I'm disappointed. That's all I'm sayin'.
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It was a pretty lame movie, with a plot lamer than porn, but Elvis is pretty.
What was weird was that we were watching at my Mom's house for some reason, and she walked through to see what we were watching. "Oh, Elvis, phshaw" and she left. My mom hates Elvis? And I never knew this?
Viva Las Vegas was the epitome of "lame movie - insert hunky star"
I wouldn't say I'm a huge Elvis fan, but I think his great stuff gets obscured by the schmaltz and the movies. His career got derailed first by having to serve in the Army, and then by his handler, Colonel Parker, who thought movies were the way to go. But there's nothing better in the world than "Little Sister", or "(Marie's the Name) His Latest Flame".
My uncle told me that when he was a young news reporter, he was interviewing a particularly popular southern rock band (you guys would know them). He spent the day in Memphis hanging out with them and they went to Graceland together to continue the interview. It happened to be on the anniversary of Elvis' death... so the hardcore fans were visiting that day. Apparently this particular band was heckling the Graceland guests enough that they got kicked out of the place and were escorted back to their limo by security.
And as the limo was driving off, one of the guys leaned out the window and yelled, "HE'S DEAD. ELVIS IS... DEAD. GET OVER IT." They're all banned from Graceland for life, my uncle included.
After he told me that story, I thought of him as a bit of a rockstar. :) He always has the coolest stories to share at family gatherings. Coincidentally, Memphis is only 2 hours from Little Rock. I've only been to Memphis a handful of times, and I've never visited Graceland.
Quick, somebody hide this thread from Amelia.
I can't say I'm a huge Elvis fan, but I'm fascinated by the Elvis phoenomenon. I want to Graceland seventeen years ago and I loved the experience. My friends and I went to mock but came out believers.
Question...what makes Elvis such an enduring popular phenomenon in our culture? Is Graceland and the Elvis story an archetype of the American dream? Do you ever listen to his music or watch his movies? Have you seen him at the gas station lately?