This is a guest-post of David, our FANÁTICO friend of Elvis who gives us a route through the most emblematic places in the life of this musical myth like Elvis. Do not miss his blog!
Elvis's home was in Memphis, in the state of Tennesse, refuge of deep and genuine America, with its conservative ideas and its traditional southern cuisine. Therefore, if you want to see the true identity of the US, go through this state, where you will also find an amazing environmental and natural diversity, all in an extension similar to that of Andalusia. To go to Memphis there are no direct flights, so we will have to stop in Atlanta or New York and from there we can go to the city that saw the birth of numerous music stars.
Graceland
Every trip to the world Elvis has to leave, of course, Graceland, the mansion that Elvis acquired in 1957 (at the beginning of his stardom) and where he lived until his death in 1977. Since its opening in 1982, about 600,000 people pass each year , being, after the White House, the most visited private place in the US Visitors can see the house where the King lived as he left it before he died and although you don't like his music, his visit is very pleasant.
Curiosities ... a lot. During the visit you will see the private plane of Elvis decorated to your liking, the enigmatic and kitsch Jungle Room (which has waterfalls and everything), the immense and not yet surpassed gold record room, its costumes or Jumpsuits used in the performances of the 70s, the gates in the form of musical notes, its collection of cadillacs (including pink), the Racketball room where he used to spend his free time, the living room with piano and several televisions and countless curious stays, all enlivened with an audio guide for anyone who is not a fan of yours and needs extra explanations.
But without a doubt, the most shocking part of the visit is the so-called Garden of Meditation, the place where Elvis and his family is buried and a sacred site for fans.
Every year, on August 16 and during Elvis Week, about 100,000 people light candles at night and head here, in total silence and alone with the celestial company of the music of the genius of Tupelo. Something spectacular and that causes you to skip tears ...
Studios Sun Records
Another of the places linked to the memory of Elvis are the mythical Studios Sun Records, where that mixture of black and white styles that forever changed popular music began. Artists like the likes of Johnny Cash or Jerry Lee Lewis also started in those studios and it is a must for Rockabilly lovers in general, as well as being able to see what an old recording studio was like.
Arcade Restaurant
A peculiar place is also the Memphis Arcade Restaurant, where Elvis used to go and where there is a table marked as the one he used whenever he went there. Numerous films have been recorded within this place, the oldest in Memphis (1919) and there are innumerable stars and celebrities who have passed through here.
Beale Street
Beale Street is a melting pot of music, cultures and races. Around here, in his youth, Elvis used to come to listen to black music to the garitos that are counted by thousands. It is a picturesque and unique place, both for its atmosphere and for its fun. This place is nothing more and nothing less than the cradle of the Blues, and from time to time you can see BB King playing here as before.
Your hair
Near Memphis is the town of Tupelo, true birthplace of Elvis. This was born in the so-called ShotGun House, called this way because if you shot through the front door the bullet came out the back. It was a very humble house, located then on the other side of the tracks, in the area for people of color, who at that time were treated as human scum. Visiting her makes you understand where she came from and where Elvis came from.
Overton Park Shell
Another of the essential places to follow the track of Elvis in Memphis is the Overton Park Shell, the site where elvis performed his first concert. It has a tender air of nostalgia, in the 50s, to meetings of entire families to see artists who began to emerge.
Humes Institute
The Humes Institute is the place where he studied secondary education in Memphis, where he was seen a bit like a weirdo, because of his musical tastes, his hairstyle or because he was very frightened and shy.
Elvis Presley Boulevard
The Elvis Presley Boulevard is a very extensive avenue that crosses Memphis from one place to another, where there are a lot of places dedicated to Elvis, such as hotels, motels, shops, etc ...
Elvis's favorite pizzeria
This location is dedicated to Lety and Rober ... Elvis's favorite pizzeria and an entire institution in Memphis, as it opened in 1923 by Italian immigrants. Amazing is his barbecue pizza, of those who claim to be their creators ... mmmmmmmmm !!!!
Heartbreak Hotel
You can not miss spending a night at the Heartbreak Hotel in Memphis, where you can take a dip in the heart-shaped pool, in its rooms with king motifs or watching a 24-hour channel of Elvis's own music of the hotel ... something Freakie but unforgettable for fans, hehehe.
Beyond the madness Elvis, Memphis and surroundings have countless places to visit, especially to my natural understanding. The state of Tennesse is very diverse in terms of nature and environmental sites, with many national parks, waterfalls, lakes, the Mississippi River and its steamboats, etc., so your visit is highly recommended ... the visit of the genuine America.
