Visiting Elvis Presley's Graceland part 2, Memphis TN

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After the long safari back across the street from the house, those that shelled out extra bucks are dropped off to tour Elvis ‘ two private airplanes including the Lisa Marie. Pass. Visitors are dropped off at the museum entrance and duck another photo op. Just $30 to pose with Elvis’ car! The series of exhibit rooms are impressive and overwhelming sending anyone into Elvis overload. It is an auto showroom with a dozen cars including his 1955 pink Cadillac. There are boats, golf carts, bicycles, dune buggies and John Deere tractor. A gallery of his motorcycles. Elvis loved his toys and these exemplify his excessive lifestyle. Next up is a divided hall. The back is devoted to Elvis’ army stint in detail. You want giant photos of Elvis in uniform? Check. On display are his army fatigues and helmet, duffel bag and trunk and dress uniform. The front section is case after case of items. Pull out drawers for endless tour memorabilia. There is even an old telephone he used. Was nothing ever thrown away? We all know Elvis is godlike to those that followed him. The “Icons” section is devoted to famed performers idolizing and admiring Elvis. Most displays feature a quoted statement of reverence and memorabilia item. Well known fans Elton John and Bruce Springsteen are represented. There is John Lennon’s 1979 piano and a jacket worn by Jimi Hendrix. Contemporary James Brown always spoke of Elvis in glowing terms. KISS costumes. Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire liked Elvis. Who knew. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had a wrestler costume designed like one of Elvis’ stage outfits. The Pistol Annies dresses from singing “Love Me” on the recent tribute TV special. Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Lopez. Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, countless others. All Elvis fans. Back to the real thing. Remember the gaudy stage outfits he wore in his last years? How about seeing ten of them lined up. Prefer young Elvis? See the famous Nudie designed gold lame tuxedo Elvis wore in 1957 most notably for the album cover of “50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can’t Be Wrong-Elvis Gold Records-Volume 2.” More clothes and items like his 1956 Gibson guitar. Would you say Elvis received a few gold records in his career? How about a wall of row upon row of gold records. His movie career is not ignored. A screen plays movie trailers. Posters from every one of his movies line walls along with movie costumes. There is a scaled down set from his famed 1968 NBC comeback TV special with coats and suits he wore including the famed black leather outfit. A mind boggling display of what must be 100s of gold and platinum albums from around the world. His posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom Award is under glass. The Elvis part concludes with a Tupelo exhibit. Daughter Lisa Marie gets her own exhibit space. A gallery covers Sam Phillips (founder of Sun Studio and Records) who was so important in Elvis’ early career. Marty Stuart’s Hillbilly Rock is essentially about rockabilly and such early influences upon Elvis. There is memorabilia like a costume worn by Rose Maddox. Elvis’ longtime manager the infamous Col. Tom Parker seems to be persona non grata here. The long tour journey is over. Be sure to spend more money eating and shopping on the way out! Elvis has become such an over commercialized and over exposed cliche that it is sometimes forgotten beyond the myth, impersonators and ringing cash registers that he was a phenomenal talent unlike no other. Every single thing you see and hear in rock and then some has been directly and indirectly influenced by Elvis. There is truth in the term “Elvis is everywhere.” He is ground zero in a cultural revolution felt to this day. Despite the waiting and high admission cost, Graceland is worth the visit in the long run. Super touristy and all that but still incredible rock and roll history. A fitting temple for the undisputed King.