Think you’ve seen everything to see at Graceland? Think again. Three new exhibits debut this month at the home of the King, giving visitors more glimpses into the life and career of the timeless rock ‘n roll icon.
Elvis in Hollywood Exhibit – Legendary movie producer Hal Wallis once said, "An Elvis Presley picture is the only sure thing in Hollywood." Starring in 31 films, including King Creole and Jailhouse Rock, Presley epitomized cross-over appeal. In fact, some of Presley’s biggest hits—"Return to Sender," "Can’t Help Falling in Love," "Viva Las Vegas"—appeared on soundtracks to his films. The new exhibit, located in Sincerely Elvis, offers visitors a look at Presley’s film wardrobe from the likes of Viva Las Vegas, Charro, and Jailhouse Rock, scripts with his handwritten notes, rare photos, and more.
New Editions to the Car Museum – As if the car museum hadn’t been impressive enough before, Elvis’s two Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limo have been added to the collection. The 33-vehicle exhibit also includes favorites like Elvis’s pink Cadillac, a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, and the red MG from his film Blue Hawaii.
Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture Exhibit – Through a combination of videos, photos, displays, and listening stations featuring some of the King’s classics, visitors follow a timeline of Elvis’s career to learn more about not only his indelible impact on the music world but also on the world. The exhibit also features a collection of memorabilia from the 50s to now and a performance area where you can try your hand at an Elvis song and "sing like a King."
Elvis image(s) used by permission, Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis By the Numbers
Speaking of trivia, here are some facts and figures that give just a little glimpse at the reach of Elvis’s popularity.
600,000 – The average annual number of visitors to Graceland
75,000 – The most visitors to Memphis ever during Elvis Week (2008)
140 – The number of singles to make the Top 40 on Billboard’s pop chart
30 – The number of #1 hits on the U.S. and U.K. pop charts combined (18 in the U.S.)
147 – The number of albums and singles certified gold, platinum, or multi-platinum by the RIAA
625 – The number of active official Elvis Presley fan clubs worldwide (including 45 foreign countries)
500 million – The number of commemorative Elvis stamps printed in 1992 by the U.S. Postal Service (It’s the top-selling commemorative stamp ever)
31 – The number of films Elvis starred in
$52 million – revenue earned by Presley’s estate in 2007, more than Justin Timberlake or Madonna
Over one billion – estimated total of record units sold worldwide, more than anyone in history