SHOWROOM: January 2015

AEFC

Sunday, January 25, 2015

ELVIS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION: BEHIND THE LENS

January 8, 2015 would have been Elvis Presley's 80th birthday. Many fans from around the world travelled to Memphis to share in the celebration. Fan club member and published photographer, Bob Klein, was one of those fans. Although he was fortunate to make the trip, not all our members and Elvis' friends were able to attend. So we thought to share a review of the Birthday Celebration with members, fans and friends from behind the lens of Klein's camera.

"It has been six years since I been to Memphis" said Klein. "I was looking forward to the trip with some great longstanding friends and some new ones. I really wanted to photograph the events at Graceland and I hope you enjoy the photos as much as I do."

January 8th, Graceland Grounds, Memphis, TN: Priscilla Presley, Lisa Marie Presley along with daughter Riley and son Benjamin at the Birthday Proclamation. Fans had an opportunity to enjoy Birthday cake fit for a king. (Click on photos to view larger).

Graceland Mansion - Memphis, TN. - Christmas trees bring the spirit of the holidays in both the living room and formal dining room. The TV room in the basement with 3 televisions is all Elvis style with the trademark lightning bolt (TCB) on the wall. The now converted racquetball court walls now aligned with jumpsuits, gold records and awards. The famous blue lights light up the driveway to Graceland with the moon "shining bright". The famous music gates on Elvis Presley Boulevard with the image of Elvis and musical notes. (Click on photos to view larger).

Homes of Elvis Presley: The Presley's two room shack in Tupelo, MS. Elvis' home of Audobon Drive and Graceland Mansion.

Meditation Gardens, Graceland: Elvis' mother Glady's original tombstone and Elvis' final resting place with eternal candle.

Sunday, January 18, 2015

ELVIS AT THE HILTON (WESTGATE LAS VEGAS RESORT) - ELVIS IS BACK!

For Elvis fan's that did not have the opportunity to see Elvis in person his home Graceland is the closest connection to the king. The members of Always Elvis have been fortunate enough to visit Graceland many times and have met many of Elvis associates including band members, family and friends. Outside of Memphis there is no other place then Elvis home away from home the Las Vegas Hilton. Now known at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort this place has a rich history. Elvis performed a historic 837 sold out performances over a seven year period and sold $43.7 million in show tickets, about $280 million in today's dollar. Other artists performing at the hotel were Barbra Streisand, Liberace, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdinck, Ann Margret, Glen Campbell, Reba McEntire and Barry Manilow to name a few.

Although I never seen Elvis perform I did have the opportunity to be in the original showroom for a performance by Engelbert in the 80's. The performer that night had no relevance to me but I was in the showroom that I had seen many times watching Elvis: That's The Way It is! The rounded booths, tables near the stage, the gold curtain - if only Elvis was there. The showroom was magical and enriched with all the legendary performers that had performed in it. Unfortunately in 1992 the showroom was remodeled to a standard auditorium with only rows of seats.

In 2012 although the building was the same the Las Vegas Hilton was no more and renamed the LVH (Las Vegas Hotel). For all the years I had visited this hotel the glory of this hotel and the history of Elvis in it was gone. The Elvis statue was outside in poor condition and other than a few photos of Elvis in the back corner of the casino you would never have known that Elvis once ruled Las Vegas.

"Westgate Las Vegas Resort Bringing Hotel Back To Glory Days"

I returned to Las Vegas recently for the first time since the hotel was now named the Westgate Las Vegas Hotel. As I entered the lobby there was a collection of Elvis memorabilia including a Lincoln that Elvis once owned. Outfits, jewelry and a guitar presented in glass cases throughout the lobby and near the showroom area. The Elvis status was wonderfully presented between the hotel lobby area and main hotel shop area. This was more like it! Best of all the customer service desk had a sign saying "Elvis Suite Tours". Sure this entire suite area has been remodeled for today standards but this was still the 30th floor that Elvis called home away from home. The remodeling consists of three separate suites but the Tuscany Suite is the location of Elvis' main suite at the time.

The suite was elegant with multiple bedrooms, dining area, bar and outdoor pool. The living room area in the Tuscany is the same location which was once Elvis' master bedroom suite. Although the inside structure had changed seeing the view from the 30th floor was nothing less than spectacular. Overall a wonderful experience that every Elvis fan should have an opportunity to take in. One addition as a fan that I would like to have seen was an chance to view the showroom in an Elvis perspective. Taking the trip from the suite to the service elevators as Elvis did to get to the showroom and of course going to his dressing room and even walking on the stage. This was not available on this tour but the backstage tour was available at one time during the summers Elvis Festival in July.

"Elvis to return to original Hilton showroom in new Elvis show"

As mentioned earlier the hotel had a new spirit in it not only regarding Elvis but as a Las Vegas Hotel in general. Renovations are underway at the hotel to update rooms and other areas of the hotel. More importantly the hotel's showroom and exhibition area will soon be taken over with the return of Elvis in a new show according to Joel Weinshanker, Graceland Holdings Managing Partner. As we all know over the last few years we have heard on the new technology used to return Tupac and Michael Jackson to the stage in a holographic form. This leads me to believe that this new show could lead Elvis back to the showroom stage in this similar form. I can't see Elvis returning in such a spectacular presence in any other place but this showroom. It will be an exciting time for Elvis fans if this does come to reality. This hotel had a lot of first in Las Vegas and it deserves this as a first as well. I can personally say from this visit that Elvis is Back! I know there is more to come and when it does Elvis fan's and others will sure to be there.