Talking About it Tuesdays/Elvis ~ August 20, 2024

Today's post is all about Elvis, the King of Rock-n-Roll!  

If you are new here or maybe not, here is a refresher on me and my connection to Elvis.  I was born in Memphis, TN, actually in the same hospital where Lisa Maire Presley was born and where Elvis died.  I grew up listening to Elvis music and he was my first concert I attended in July 1976, which was his last concert in Memphis.  Elvis passed away August 16, 1977, 47 years ago last Thursday.  Every year, there is a candlelight vigil at Graceland on the eve of his death.  Thousands of people line up and walk up the driveway with a candle to see where he is buried.

When I was in college, I worked at Graceland as a tour guide during my summers.  It was such a fun summer job!  A lot of people in this area did that as summer jobs.  If you tour now, there is a headset you wear and listen to information as you go throughout the mansion tour and other areas.  So much has changed, including the price of admission!  

Now to current day, my daughter and I decided last week we would go to the candlelight vigil.  I had only been once before, and that was when I worked at Graceland.  Here are pictures from last Thursday night!

Prior to going, we had been to dinner at my sister's with all the kiddos.  We listened to Elvis radio of course on the way to Graceland and this classic was playing.  Do you know that Elvis was nominated for 12 Grammy awards and the 3 he won were all for his gospel music?

We are coming for you Graceland!

Oh the sights we saw...lots of people who were dressed the part in addition to some sidewalk art

We stood in line outside the fence for an hour, then another hour in the driveway.  It was a hot night, but there were water stands along the way.

I had my neck fan with me!

They gave everyone candles and there was a torch to light them once you entered the driveway.

Notice how much our candles had burned down quickly!  I blew mine out halfway up the hill and re-lit it once I got to meditation gardens.

Here we are in our shirts in front of Graceland.

Elvis's grandmother and parents are buried here too and there is a marker for his twin brother that died at birth.

This is Elvis' grave below.  There are so many flowers and stuffed animals that are left during this time.

Our sad faces

As you circle around, this is where Benjamin Keough, Lisa Marie's son, and Lisa Marie Presley are buried.  

So many fan clubs from around the world send flower sprays.  This attracts so many international fans, which is so interesting because Elvis never toured outside the USA.

We made it down the hill back to the famous musical gates around 11:30.  When we got home at midnight, I took a shower because although there were some breezes, the humidity was so much and we just felt gross after standing outside for 3 hours.  There had been a pre-show before we ever stood in line.

It was a fun memory to make with Brook and she can check that off her bucket list!  Although, I'm not sure it was ever on her bucket list, ha!  

Are you an Elvis fan?