Graceland, Memphis

I qualify these comments since I haven't actually been inside the gates. I'm male and have been an Elvis fan since I was six years old thanks an older sister and being an Army brat in Germany at exactly the same time Elvis was there. I had the image of Graceland as a rural southern estate, or at least quasi-rural, suburban, etc. I couldn't believe that for the first time in my 30 year business career I had to go to Memphis on business and was more eager to go to Graceland than to go to business meetings. I followed directions to Graceland and wound up driving right past it. I turned around, drove back and almost missed it again. I couldn't believe how sad the streets are nearby. Gas station after gas station after car dealership after pizza place. The last bus tour had left so I didn't get to tour Graceland, which may have been a blessing. I pray the grounds and the mansion are 100 times better than from the street. I went into one of the two souvenir shops nearby - one had Elvis on all the time, the other almost never. I asked the proprietor why no Elvis music. His response - "can you imagine listening to the same music all day?" Yes, I can. In fact, in the other souvenir shop I heard some Elvis I hadn't heard before, and it was great. I've been back to Memphis since my first visit, and probably won't take the tour, since I'm afraid that even more of my image of Elvis and Graceland will be destroyed. I've realized that I prefer to leave my image of Elvis as the 1956 Elvis rather than the sad figure he became - overweight, glitzy white suit, bouffant hair and rhinestone sunglasses.

This picture is horrible. It won't help anybody no matter the reason they want to look at it!!!!!!!!

but dodge the kgbs. info: In response to Memphis Mafia Gay question on a forum etc: Joe Esposito is the only one I know of who blurted out one day he enjoyed the company of a man much more than a woman. He also admitted he was very jelous of a particular young girl - Angela Sterritt- and of her and Elvis' friendship. Joe was infatuated with Elvis. Elvis convinced me that he in no way shared the same feelings Joe did regarding men. Joe also blurted out his real parents were alcoholics and didn't treat him right and he wanted to have something. He wanted to be a big boss of the KGB (Russia). (He was picked up by the KGB and "adopted" by a KGB family when he ran away from home as a teenager. ) He said no cute little girl who liked to connect the freckles on people's faces was going to come along and take that away from him too. He set out to ruin this girl, every which way and whatever it took. Killed people she loved, food she liked to eat etc. Joe killed Elvis Presley. Joe Esposito is a sociopath that KGB made into an agent. The KGB are very bad people, that Joe gave the reputation of being even worse. Hoping their cruelty will get them in the end.

It was really nice,but when my ex-husband got mad at me and twisted my arm for finding a cigerette in my purse,while I was 3 months preagnant,I for some unknown reason ran upstairs looking for Elvis,I felt his presence very strongly,I knocked and knocked on the bedroom door to the right of the stairs then the left,no one came out,their was only one small window in the bedroom doors,I saw Elvis's room threw the window,I went to the other window no one came to either door,finailly I had to pee,being pregnant and all,I nearly peed my pants at the other door trying franticially to hide from the tour guild at the front door,it was unbareable pain holding my urine,soI ran down the stairs fast,all the sudden a black skinny tour guide saw me,she panics and tries to keep the crowds attention before she opens the door,I run back up then peeking down threw the front door to see if she's not looking so I can run down the stairs,she had her head turned towards the crowd of interested fans,I ran down the stairs then I decided to take one last look up the stairs something did NOT feel right,all the sudden without her(the tour guide) seeing me I saw Elvis Presley,standing there at the top of his stairs inside "GraceLand" I nearley passed out and it scared me,all the sudden instead of being overwelmed with happiness to see him,I panicked and decided to run off to catch up with my ex-husband and my parents,Elvis was not fat,he lost alot of weight,he wasn't real skinny,but nice looking and he had long black sideburns,black hair,black pants,and he was wearing a shiny dark blue bathrobe.I'm soory that I failed my strenth to meet him. My father Maynard Lee N.had me take a picture of him sitting on "Elvis's pink jeep"!!! And deep inside I know "Elvis"& his tour guide will never forget me.If anyone reading this is a true strong christian please pray for "Elvis". Debbie Nice Herlein

Graceland was odd to say the least. Elvis must have had a huge ego. We went at Christmas, and the decorations for the yard were bigger than life! His grave site was strange too. The giant sculpture of Jesus nest to the giant picture of Elvis was the strangest part.

I am neither in love with Elvis or hate him...so this was a tourist attraction to me. I was pushed and rushed through Graceland by a sting of avid, obsessive fans who seemed to live and breathe "the King." I would have liked to learn more about the man and look at the exhibits but you couldn't with the crowds pushing you. I thought it was a waste of time in the end because you couldn't enjoy the tour at the rushed pace. Plus who puts shag carpet on the ceiling?

To expensive to walk through a dead mans house that you are not even allowed to see all of when you are there. Tours are only sent through the first floor. It is also interesting to see how the house was decorated back in the 70's. If you want to see his cars, get ready shell out more cash. Same goes to see his 2 planes. Graceland is definatley a must see if you have never been, but just be prepared to pay a lot of money if you want to see everything.

what are they crazy to charge this much just to see the bottom floor of a regular two story house. seeing the memorial garden was the only saving grace of the entire tour I have always been a Elvis fan and my Mom was an even bigger one I think if she had been able to go before she died she would have cried with disapointment

I absolutely loved Graceland because the thought that Elvis was just walking around in this house gives you that good, erie feeling. It gives you an up-close-and-personal look into his life, one that many people don't know. I was never an Elvis fan because I wasn't born then, but he is just such an amazing entertainer. Everyone has to go at least once in their lifetime!!!

I LOVE GRACELAND. I GO EVERY YEAR, GETTING READY TO GO IN A FEW HOURS. I CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF IT.WHEN I AM THERE I FEEL ELVIS' SPIRIT THERE. IT IS JUST AN AWESOME PLACE. THERE IS NOTHING TO DISLIKE ABOUT GRACELAND, IT IS A GREAT PLACE TO SEE....I CAN'T WAIT. LINDA BARGE' MIDDLETOWN, OHIO