This quote was one of the opening lines in the iconic movie,
Titanic. Decades after the sinking, the character, Rose, shared with a
scientific crew what it felt like to be one of the passengers on the ship’s
maiden and only voyage. A few weeks ago, I shared in a similar experience when
I stayed at the Guesthouse at Graceland Hotel in Memphis during its opening
weekend.
It’s been nearly 40 years since Elvis Presley left the
building for the final time—having been called home for some much needed rest.
Since then, family, friends and adoring fans have fought to preserve the
musical and humanitarian legacy he left behind.
Tours of Elvis’ beloved home, Graceland, began in 1982. Over
time, the property across the street became dotted with touristy shops offering
every type of souvenir imaginable plastered with the King’s face. Up until
recently, the only accommodations available for guests making the pilgrimage to
Graceland were a Day’s Inn and the Heartbreak Hotel. Both were similar to the
types of establishments Elvis had to put his guests up in while he was
alive—never having had a formal guesthouse on the grounds of his home. But a
comfortable and luxury guesthouse was something he always dreamed of.
Some 30 years in the making, the Guesthouse at Graceland is
Elvis’ dream finally brought to life. And I was there to share in that
historical moment.
My dad has been a lifelong Elvis fan…and not the kind that
likes to collect corny collectables and grow out his sideburns for Halloween.
He is the true kind of fan who has come to know, admire and respect Elvis as
much as a person possibly can having never met him. Four years ago, I made my
first trek to Graceland with my dad and he showed me around and brought Elvis,
his home and the life he lived to life for me far greater than even the most knowledgeable
tour guide could. A year ago, when we first leaned that construction was
starting on the Guesthouse, we both agreed that being there for the opening
weekend was a must.
When our plane finally touched down in the land of the Delta
Blues the day before the hotel officially opened, I believe all of us (my dad,
mom, husband and I) were all brimming with excitement. When it was time to
catch a cab to check in to the hotel the next day, it was all I could do to
keep from hanging my head out the window to catch the first possible glimpse of
the hotel. When it finally came into view, it echoed so much of the look of
Graceland. With the front paying tribute to Graceland’s colonial architecture and
a long driveway that wound up to the doors, it really felt like we there to be
guests in Elvis’ own guesthouse.
My eyes widened and mouth dropped open when we first walked
inside. The lobby was stunningly lavish with touches of gray and fuchsia. With unique
wing back chairs, mirrored ceiling and exquisite floral centerpiece, I could
tell immediately that the Guesthouse was designed to reflect the unique and
trend setting style that Elvis exhibited his entire life.
From record shaped end tables and blue suede drapes in the
bar, light sconces with Elvis’ initials down the hallways, a heart shaped gas
fireplace out by the pool, lightning bolt lights in the Founders Room and even
a grand staircase designed to model the stairs leading up to Elvis’ private
quarters at Graceland, every thoughtful detail of the hotel whispered Elvis. I
say whispered because the touches were obvious but not overt. One of the guest
speakers during the weekend explained that Elvis was and remains the type of
person that you only need a minute detail of to recognize. Whether it’s the
corner of a glitzy cape, an oversized gold ring, some aviator frames, or lush
slicked back black hair, a true Elvis fan can spot him from a mile away. It
doesn’t take much.
Nearly every feature of the hotel was subtle…..except for
the one I nearly stumbled into within my first twenty minutes. I was lagging
behind my parents as they wandered down one of the hallways towards the hotel’s
theater. Quickening my steps to catch up with them I suddenly looked up to see
a large group of people walking down the hallway toward me. My heart quite
literally stopped when I realized that the front runner of the group was Miss
Priscilla Presley herself. Dressed to the nines in stilettos and a brightly
colored dress, she was absolutely beautiful and moved towards me with a grace
and determination that shook me. The moment was over so quickly but it was one
that I will never forget.
Priscilla was intimately involved in the design of the Guesthouse
and worked to make sure that a tasteful tribute was paid to Elvis’ life and career.
“We didn’t want it so Elvis-themed and Elvis everywhere, because you can see
that at Graceland,” said Priscilla. “He wouldn’t have wanted a hotel full of
his picture.” After three nights at the Guesthouse, all I can say is, well
done. Elvis would not only be stunned….he would be immensely proud.
Over the course of my weekend at the Guesthouse I was privileged
to listen to stories and conversations shared by members of Elvis’ band, two of
his movie co-stars, a girlfriend from his early days and others who had the
opportunity get to know Elvis on a more personal level. They didn’t talk about
Elvis the performer who jumped about the stage in flashy jumpsuits. They talked
about the real, down-to-earth Elvis who kept his band members up till all hours
of the night regaling them with hilarious stories. They talked about the humble
Elvis who desperately only wanted to make one good film in his career so that
the industry would quit making fun of him. They talked about the Elvis whose
fascination with police led him to acquire not only several personal badges
from cops but also a ticket booklet and light for the top of his car.
When I told people I was going on vacation to the opening of
a hotel I got a lot of strange looks. Yes, my family and I also visited
Graceland and paid our respects to Elvis at his grave, but we really did go for
the hotel. Because for Elvis fans and the city of Memphis, the Guesthouse is
more than just a hotel. It is the glorious beginning of a new era for Memphis
and the Elvis legacy. Not only will the hotel work to clean up the rather dismal
and run-down part of the city that is home to Graceland, but now when fans from
all around the world travel to pay tribute to Elvis, they will have the kind of
luxury accommodations that Elvis would have wanted for his visitors.
I am grateful to my dad for not only making the trip
possible for my husband and I, but also for raising me to respect and
appreciate Elvis for all that he was. He was far more than a singer. Anyone who
visits Graceland and sees the hundreds of signatures on the wall near the entrance
to the grounds will see just how many people his life continues to touch even
40 years after his passing. Take a walk down the Hall of Gold at Graceland and
you will realize that he accomplished more in his 42 short years than most of
us could do with 100. Watch one of his recorded concert performances and you
will see a singer who literally dripped passion for the work that he did. Spend
a night at the Guesthouse and you will understand that a person who inspired
the building of such a grandiose hotel isn’t someone who is dead and gone in the
grave, but rather very much alive in the fans that refuse to let him go.
During my tour of Graceland, I found myself lingering in Elvis’
racquetball court—a room that has been transformed into a monumental display of
all of his posthumous awards and several of his stage costumes. With his Aloha
from Hawaii concert playing on a screen nearby, I fought back pooling tears as
I looked up and around at so much success by a man who remained grateful, generous
and humble up until his last breath. But I teared up even more when I looked to
my right and saw another girl wiping away tears for what I knew were the exact
same reasons.
On my way out of the racquetball court, I glanced up at an
award I never noticed before. It was engraved with the words “Before anyone did
anything, Elvis did everything.” I smiled knowing how immensely true those
words were. Those words lingered in the background of everything I saw and
heard during my weekend in Memphis.
Elvis you may have left the world before anyone was ready……….but
you have never left our hearts.
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