For over 40 years Elvis Presley’s home of Graceland has been open to the public as a museum.
However, travelling to Memphis, Tennessee can be quite the commitment for British fans wanting to see inside The King’s mansion.
Luckily for those in the UK, Graceland are bringing over 400 largely unreleased artefacts from their private archive charting his humble beginning to superstardom.
Among the vehicles, jumpsuits and personal items like his wallet and keys are little-seen items from Elvis’ off-limits bedroom.
To this day Graceland’s upstairs is not part of the tour and it’s been preserved as though he just got up and left when died up there in 1977.
Yet occasionally Graceland bring down items to go on display, like the desk from Elvis’ private office.
And now a number of artefacts from The King’s bedroom have made it over with the Direct From Graceland: Elvis exhibit, which opens at Arches London Bridge tomorrow.
Included are Elvis’ bedside gold telephone, plus items from the bathroom where he suffered a fatal heart attack at just 42. Among them are his comb, shaver, cotton buds and cologne.
Additionally, there’s Elvis’ bedside Jesus statue, reflecting his religious belief and fascination with spirituality.
A real highlight has to be the record player from The King’s bedroom which includes the last vinyl he ever played on the day he died, a demo recording of JD Sumner and the Stamps who would go on to sing at his funeral.
Additionally, there’s a selection of books owned by the avid reader who loved to underline texts and write notes in the columns. It seems the star had a particular fascination with the Kennedy brothers JFK and RFK, who were both assassinated in the 1960s.
Direct From Graceland: Elvis opens tomorrow and tickets can be booked here.
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