Five Fun Facts: Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee

At age 22, Elvis had just wrapped up one of the wildest years of his life: he had recently shot to superstardom, taking part in historic network television appearances and record-breaking live performances, with armloads of gold awards and the beginnings of a film career to show for himself. It was just at this crossroads, in 1957, that he decided to purchase the 500-acre Graceland property for $100,000.

There were few things Elvis took more pride in than Graceland, the place that became a retreat for him from the glare of the public eye, his home base in-between time on the road and short stays in other locations. Elvis liked to show off his home to friends and colleagues, and occasionally some lucky fans – making everyone feel welcome. Visitors today will find that same tradition of warmth and hospitality lives on.

Armed with these five facts about Graceland and Elvis, you’ll be that much more in-tune with the King and his life when you visit the mansion and its grounds:

An Exotic Interior. The “Jungle Room” is a room addition Elvis referred to as the den. Originally a screened-in back patio, the room became part of the main house and was decorated with exotic plants, animal print and floor-to ceiling shag carpeting. With the opening of Graceland in 1982, a travel writer came through and gave it the nickname, the “Jungle Room.”

The Wall. Elvis had the Alabama fieldstone fence and famous gates installed at the front of Graceland Mansion grounds soon after purchasing the home in 1957. Fans and the general public have been writing on the wall ever since. The front wall at Graceland has become a unique cultural and sociological phenomenon all its own, displaying a wide array of personal expression from people from all walks of life from all parts of the world.

Concert with a Cause. Elvis Presley’s Aloha From Hawaii via Satellite concert was broadcasted live on January 14, 1973, and was the most-watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history. Audience tickets for the January 14 concert and its January 12 pre-broadcast rehearsal show carried no price. Each audience member was asked to pay whatever he or she could afford. The performance and concert merchandise sales raised $75,000 for the Kui Lee Cancer Fund in Hawaii.

Gospel Grammys. Elvis received 14 Grammy nominations from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He only won three out of the 14 nominations and all three were for gospel recordings.

The King’s Logo. Elvis’ TCB logo, formed with the three letters and a lightning bolt, stands for, “Taking Care of Business.” The phrase was popular in the 1960s and 70s. Elvis and the guys in his entourage used it frequently, and the logo was used in Elvis’ personal and professional life by placing it on custom items like his gun collection, stationary, jewelry, wardrobe, the wall of the Graceland TV room, the tail of his planes and even his tombstone.

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Photos: (c)Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (c) EPE, Reg. U.S. Pat & TM Off.