Elvis

August 8, 1998 – September 5, 1999

Elvis Presley is the undisputed King of Rock and Roll. He rose from a humble background to launch the rock and roll revolution with his commanding voice and charismatic stage presence. In the words of the historical marker that stands outside the house where he was born, “Presley’s career as a singer and entertainer redefined popular music.”

At the age of eighteen, Elvis Presley walked into the Memphis Recording Service – also the home of Sun Records – to make a recording. Sun owner/producer Sam Phillips was struck by the plaintive emotion in Presley’s vocals and invited him back, subsequently teaming him up with Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black. In July 1954, the trio recorded “That’s All Right” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky” – blues and country songs, respectively – in a crackling, uptempo style that established the blueprint for rock and roll.

After Presley recorded five ground-breaking singles for Sun, his contract was sold to RCA Records, and his career quickly took off. “Heartbreak Hotel,” a haunting ballad, became his first across-the-board hit, and Presley’s hip-shaking performances on various TV shows, including Ed Sullivan’s, generated hysteria and controversy. His historic string of hits in 1956 and 1957 included “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Hound Dog,” “Love Me Tender,” “All Shook Up” and “Jailhouse Rock.”

Presley’s career momentum was interrupted by a two-year stint in the Army. For much of the Sixties he occupied himself with movie-making, though the soundtracks to those films yielded such hits as “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” “Return to Sender” and “Viva Las Vegas.” On December 3, 1968, an electrifying television special, simply titled Elvis, brought about a stunning mid-career renaissance and lead to some of the most mature and satisfying work of Presley’s career. Recording in Memphis, he cut such classic tracks as “In the Ghetto,” “Suspicious Minds” and “Kentucky Rain.”

If the Fifties were devoted to rock and roll and the Sixties to movies, the Seventies represent the performing chapter in Presley’s career. He toured constantly, performing to capacity crowds around the country until his death. Presley died of a heart attack at Graceland, his Memphis home, on August 16, 1977. He was 42 years old.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum paid tribute to Presley with its first comprehensive exhibit devoted to a single artist. Simply titled Elvis, the exhibit opened August 8, 1998 in the space formerly occupied by the Hall of Fame. Outside of Graceland, it was the largest collection of Elvis Presley memorabilia ever assembled for display.

The Early Years featured personal items from the Presley family, including Elvis’ third grade report card, his high-school diploma, items related to his early employment and, finally, artifacts documenting the beginning of his career in music. Among those were Elvis’ first billed concert appearance, opening for country & western crooner Slim Whitman; the famous photo of the “Million Dollar Quartet” – Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash – the four major artists working at Sun Studios, early Presley merchandise, souvenir programs and stage outfits, including the jacket Elvis wore for his second Ed Sullivan Show performance.

The Army Years and Hollywood Years included his draft card, U.S. Army uniform, fatigues and helmet, redeployment orders and discharge certificate; a photo of Presley getting an official Army haircut and another of him in his fatigues; the boxing robe Presley wore in the film Kid Galahad; the shirt he wore in Jailhouse Rock; the double-neck electric guitar he played in Spinout; two movie posters for Jailhouse Rock, including one in German and movie posters for Blue Hawaii, Viva Las Vegas, King Creole, Spinout and Girls, Girls, Girls.

The Concert Years, documenting Presley’s exciting performing career, included an acoustic guitar he played from 1969 to 1977; the electric guitar he played on his 1968 NBC television special; a number of stage outfits from the Seventies, and posters and photographs.

Personal Life dealt with the person behind the performer. This section included gifts from President Nixon, photos of Presley with the President, a letter from Nixon and the outfit Presley wore when he met Nixon. Other items included a karate suit, a smoking jacket, a caftan, a portable radio telephone built into a briefcase, a tricycle of Lisa Marie, photographs of Presley with his family, a Colt .45 from Presley’s firearms collection and a television set with a bullet hole through the screen (legend holds it Presley used televisions for target practice).

Opening Celebrations

August 7, 1998

August 7, 1998 marked the Platinum and Chairman’s Club Reception to preview the new Elvis exhibit. Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, and Chief Curator James Henke unveiled the exhibit before a host of media cameras and enthusiastic guests.

The Flying Elvi dropped in on the Museum on August 8, marking the public opening of the exhibit. More than 3000 people watched the 10-man team parachute in front of the Museum and perform a medley of Elvis songs.

To close out the opening festivities, more than 2000 members attended the August 10 Members Only night. The line to see the Elvis exhibit was long, but our members persevered. The overwhelming response brought some members back on August 31 for a supplemental members’ night.