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INCREDIBLE ADVENTURES
The Westin

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Elvis Anniversary

Pay tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll in Memphis, and discover places where his spirit lives on.
August 2007

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BY SHERI BELL-REHWOLDT

Why is the official Memphis tree the dogwood when magnolia trees are as plentiful as ants? And why are the city’s official ambassadors, in their pith helmets and blue sashes, called the “Blue Suede Brigade”? Pressing questions to be sure—but insignificant to the most important:

Does Elvis still reign in Memphis?

HIS DIEHARD FANS WILL SWARM GRACELAND THIS MONTH, MARKING THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS DEATH. But is this private estate—with its stash of memorabilia and eclectic décor—the only place that still carries a torch for Elvis? Well, zip up your rhinestone jumpsuit, baby, because nothing could be further from the truth. The following are just a few of the places where Elvis’ spirit lives on.

Start your visit by checking into The Peabody(www.peabodymemphis.com). For it is here, at this grand hotel, that Elvis attended his high school prom. Also, in the Memorabilia Room you can spot the framed receipt of his $4,500 signing bonus from 1955, which marks Elvis’ transition to big time, from Sun Records to RCA.

Bernard Lansky, “the clothier to the king,” has his store, Lansky (www.lanskybros.com) in this hotel. Nearing 80, Lansky’s mind is as sharp as the day he realized that extending credit to an undiscovered Elvis would pay off. Big. “Cool in the pool, that cat was sharp,” Lansky says. “And I was his ace man.” Don’t be surprised if Lansky even persuades you to try on some clothing—perhaps a Love Me Tender black velvet shirt?

If all that shopping drains you, reenergize at Automatic Slim’s Tonga Club (901-525-7948) across the street. This hip restaurant has a reputation for sandwiches that will stretch your jumpsuit, but not your wallet. Don’t miss the treat upstairs: two photos of a skinny, young Elvis.

“Elvis never posed in the nude,” says owner Karen Carrier, who received the photos as a gift at her wedding. “These are the only ones I know of with his shirt off.”

True, you won’t find a shirtless Elvis at the nearby Rendezvous (www.hogsfly.com), but its boisterous atmosphere does serve fine Memphis barbecue.

John Vergos, the grandson of the man who started it all, explained why Elvis never actually visited Rendezvous, “He always wanted to rent the whole place out and since this was not allowed, he had short ribs sent to him out at Graceland all the time instead.” Not only did the restaurant cater to Elvis, it has sent ribs over to both Bill Clinton and Al Gore on Air Force One and Two.

In 2006, Junichiro Koizumi, the former prime minister of Japan met with President George W. Bush for a VIP luncheon at Rendezvous. Manager Pat Donohue boasts that, “We had two of the most powerful men in the world eating barbecue off paper plates, pigging out like thousands of regular Americans do with us every night. We rock!”

That they do. Eat your fill and then blow the joint and waddle to the corner of Second and Beale streets and board the 1950s era bus, run by Backbeat Tours (www.backbeattours.com), for a backstage pass of Memphis music. It’s a rockin’ experience.

Perhaps, just as you decide to join in with your tambourine, you’ll roll into Overton Park, home to the Memphis Zoo. The Overton Park Shell, an outdoor concrete amphitheater has long Elvis roots. It was here, on July 30, 1954, that a quaking 18-year-old Elvis performed his first paid gig, stealing the show from headliner Slim Whitman with his rambunctious rendition of “That’s Alright, Mama.”

If you drop by Sun Studio (www.sunstudio.com), you can touch the microphone into which Elvis recorded his smash hit. From Sun, catch the complimentary shuttle to Graceland, or travel in style in Tad Pierson’s 1955 Cadillac “Mansfield” —the very model driven by Elvis. Pierson’s American Dream Safari tours (www.americandreamsafari.com) offer visitors memories—what he calls “psychic souvenirs.” Ask him to point out old Elvis haunts, such as Humes High School and Lauderdale Courts (www.lauderdalecourts.com), and he’ll happily oblige.

Lauderdale Courts, now called Uptown Square, is where Elvis, as a shy teen, practiced his music in the basement and the family apartment, No. 328, until he found the courage to go public.

Though smaller than 700 feet, the apartment is worthy of its $10 tour fee. It’s decorated much as the Presley’s had it in the ’50s, so venturing inside feels like stepping into yesterday. Even cooler? You can stay overnight. And don’t be bashful about depositing a lipstick kiss on Elvis’ bedroom wall; many others before you already have.

Another site Elvis stopped by often is The Arcade Restaurant (www.arcaderestaurant.com), the oldest diner in Memphis. His favorite booth still remains, now boasting a plaque bearing his signature. While you’re there, third-generation owner Harry Zepatos suggests ordering Elvis’ beloved fried peanut butter and banana sandwich.

Your hands will be a sticky mess by the time you pull up at Graceland, but it will be worth it. Before bidding Pierson goodbye, take a peek at his special Elvis photo. Snapped by a fan at the Graceland fountain, the ghostly apparition will surely convince you that Elvis’ spirit is, indeed, all around.

>AirTran Airways provides daily flights to Memphis. Visit www.airtran.com for more info.

ELVIS WEEK

AUGUST 11-19

Elvis Week is an annual celebration dedicated to the music and memory of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. With the 30th anniversary of his death, this year is expected to be the biggest and most exciting yet. The events are put together by Elvis Presley Enterprises and include the Elvis Expo at the Memphis Cook Convention Center, Graceland Scavenger Hunt and Elvis Music & Movies at the Graceland Mansion. A full list of events that will be taking place can be found on the website.

www.elvis.com

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