Posted February 4, 200817 yr Graceland http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/graceland123.jpg Did you know that... Mrs. Virginia Grant, the relator (real estate agent) that sold Graceland to Elvis afterwards wrote a booklet of the transaction. Here's the short version; Mrs. Grant accidentally met with Gladys outside one of Memphis' major department stores, Lowenstein's East, Feb. 11th 1957. When she walked out of the store she noticed "the most gorgeous pink Cadillac I have ever seen". After learning that it's Gladys sitting inside "this beautiful vehicle" she raps on the closed window to get her attention and they start to chat. Gladys learn that Mrs. Grant is in fact a relator, who remarks, "I heard that you folks would be interested in finding a good farm". Gladys said this was untrue but they actually would like to find a few acres with a big house somewhere out of town. Grant then said that she had a nice seven-acre site. But as Gladys and Vernon (who was inside the store when Grant talked with Gladys) was leaving that very day for LA to visit with Elvis they would instead welcome any referrals when they got back home again. Then on Saturday the week after Vernon calls her and he wants to see the house she had talked about. After the party (Grant, Vernon and Gladys) arrives at the site, Grant detects only a vague interest and writes in her booklet, "I had made the error of showing them property of a much lesser value than they expected to buy. Fortunately for me I discovered my mistake immediately...". Gladys then asks her, "Don't you have anything to show us with a Colonial home?". Although the Graceland listing was with another relator, and the fact that Mrs. Grant had never even been in the house, that's what she suggested, "Oh yes, on Highway 51 South as you approach Whitehaven Plaza, there is the most beautiful Colonial mansion which a friend of mine has for sale - it's thirteen beautiful acres too". Gladys wanted to see the house that very day, and loved it, as did Vernon. By 6 pm. Mrs. Grant had their offer, contingent on the approval of Elvis, not later than 8 pm. the following Monday. When Monday came Elvis showed up early, and slowly walked through Graceland for the first time and sat down with the piano. He got up and remarked, "This place sure needs a lot of work done on it". Mrs. Grant's heart sank. Then he continued, "This is going to be a lot nicer than Red Skelton's house when I get it like I want it". Mrs. Grant's heart soared. Elvis was ready to sign, and he wanted to close the deal as soon as possible. The story was also, as I understand it, well covered in Memphis Press-Scimitar with daily coverage of the house buying for almost a week. Elvis told the reporter; "I want the darkest blue there is for my room, with a mirror that will cover one side of the room. I probably will have a black bedroom suit, trimmed in white leather, with a white rug". He also said he intended to have a hi-fi receiver in every room and that he wanted the entrance hall painted to resemble the sky with clouds on the ceiling and dozens of tiny lights for stars. Gladys commented, "I think I'm going to like this new home", while Vernon complained, "We just had the old place fixed up like we wanted it, now we have to start all over again...". Elvis also remarked on the basement bathrooms were marked "Boys" and "Girls", and that he thought that the first thing the house needed was a swimming pool on the south side of the house with a large sunken patio leading up to the pool. He also said that he wanted a six-foot stone fence across the front and up the sides of the property, (the wall also made it easy for Gladys to have her chickens again, and to hang out washing behind Graceland as it was not so easy for fans to grab the clothes with the fence). Elvis also noted the house had garage place for only four cars... Elvis and his parents moved into Graceland in late April of 1957. Source: EPGold Great article and I love what Elvis originally wanted for his entrance hall :wub: Cool or what :yahoo:
February 5, 200817 yr Oh wow, what a great read that was Carole, thanks for posting it...... I would have nicked Elvis's washing off the line too. :w00t: :yahoo:
February 5, 200817 yr Author I would have nicked Elvis's washing off the line too. :w00t: :yahoo: Me too :yahoo: Preferably with Elvis in them :wub:
February 5, 200817 yr Me too :yahoo: Preferably with Elvis in them :wub: Yeah, so we can take them back off him. :naughty: :yahoo: :w00t:
February 9, 200817 yr Author Yeah, so we can take them back off him. :naughty: :yahoo: :w00t: That sounds good to me :naughty: Photos of Graceland - April, 1962 taken by Tony Douglas – Australia http://www.elvispresleymusic.com.au/pictur..._graceland.html Looking at the first picture, you can understand why Elvis bought Graceland. It appears to be out on it’s own with a lot of land surrounding it. Now, of course, the area surrounding Graceland is so different. It is a built-up area and of course, there is Graceland Plaza on the opposite side of Elvis Presley Boulevard, with the Heartbreak Hotel behind it, at the end of the appropriately named Lonely Street. Obviously things would be different if Elvis was still alive, but I often wonder if he would still be living there. The area slightly afield from Graceland isn’t exactly the nicest district of Memphis :( Would Elvis have actually left his beloved Graceland and found sanctuary in another home elsewhere? :unsure:
February 9, 200817 yr I don't think he would have ever left graceland myself, it's a wonderful building and the surroundings are lovely. :wub:
February 22, 200817 yr Author Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Ride For Life http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/epe_rideforlife08.jpg The Inaugural Elvis Rock ‘n’ Roll Ride for Life was launched April 22, 2007, from the steps of Elvis’s Graceland mansion to benefit the American Diabetes Association. Over three hundred riders from twenty-two states and three countries rode almost 100 miles through four north Mississippi counties returning back to Graceland for a huge post-party celebration, raising $100,000 for the American Diabetes Association. Get ready for the ride of your life, as Elvis will ride again on April 18-20, 2008. Get ready for the Ride of your Life! Visit the Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life web site to register for the ride, check out the latest schedule of events, and much more. http://www.elvisride.org/ Source: EPE / Updated: Feb 22, 2008 Graceland Celebrates University of Memphis Basketball Team Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. and The University of Memphis proudly announce that Elvis Presley’s Memphis mansion, Graceland, will be bathed in blue light for the weekend of February 22, 2008 in honor of the Tiger’s success as the nation’s #1 NCAA basketball team. Priscilla Presley, Elvis Presley’s former wife and cast member of the upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars will be on hand along with EPE, Inc. CEO Jack Soden, U of M Athletic Director R.C. Johnson and Pouncer the Tiger mascot to flip the ceremonial switch and light up the National Historic Landmark in the Tiger’s trademark color of blue. The lighting ceremony will take place Friday, February 22, 2008 at 7PM CST at the famous gates of Graceland. In what is being called Operation: Blue Suede Shoe, Graceland’s employees have outfitted over 150 spotlights scattered around the 13 acre Graceland compound with special bulbs to illuminate the King of Rock n’ Roll’s famous home in a glowing shade of blue. Source: EPE / Updated: Feb 22, 2008
February 23, 200817 yr Author Here's Graceland in blue :cheer: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/webcam20.jpg
February 23, 200817 yr Author It's lovely the way they put the coloured lights on for various charities :cheer: It was red before :D
February 24, 200817 yr It's lovely the way they put the coloured lights on for various charities :cheer: It was red before :D I know i remember seeing the Red one, bu i think it really looks nice with blue lights. :wub:
February 25, 200817 yr Author More news from EPE EPE files on trademark: On February 12, 2008, Elvis Presley Enterprises filed to protect the trademark The Elvis Las Vegas and The E Las Vegas in relation to goods and services in three categories: “real estate services for residential apartments, condominiums and retail establishments” “casino, golf course, sporting events and entertainment services, namely, live performances featuring musicians music and singers, prerecorded music and video, dancers, magicians, actors, acrobats and comedians” and… “resort hotel, hotel, restaurant, bar, lounge services, arena services, namely providing facilities for sports, concerts, theater, conventions and exhibition; providing theme park services; cafes; cafeterias; catering; child care; cocktail lounge buffets; cocktail lounges; hotel services for preferred customers; spa services; providing banquet and social function facilities for special occasions; providing convention facilities; providing facilities for exhibitions; snack bars”. The majority of Elvis Presley Enterprises (85%) is owned by CKX, Inc., owner of 19 Entertainment, creator of American Idol. CKX Chairman Bob Sillerman announced plans in 2006 to turn Graceland and the surrounding areas into an international tourist destination and double the 600,000 annual visitors. Sillerman has stated that a new hotel is a possible component to these plans. Mork wonders if The Elvis Las Vegas will be in Memphis in the area around Graceland, or if Elvis Presley Enterprises is actually planning a resort hotel in Las Vegas. In any case, you can go home now. Mork has just left the building. Click Here for more detailed informattion: http://www.trademork.com/the-elvis-las-vegas (Sale of EPE Archives, Source: www.trademork.com / www.epgold.com)
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