Do you have an Achy Breaky Heart over not being able to visit Elvis’ homeland of Memphis? Do you ask yourself If I Can Dream of visiting one day? You’re in luck, Direct from Graceland: Elvis is bringing the story of the King of Rock‘n’Roll to SE1.
The exhibition sees a significant collection belonging to Elvis Presley to ever leave Memphis, including instruments, stage outfits and personal belongings.
Hosted at new arts and culture venue Arches London Bridge, the Graceland Archive has assembled a powerful narrative for fans, exploring Elvis’ meteoric career, larger-than-life persona, influential sense of style, life at Graceland, plus lesser-known aspects of his early years, hobbies and personal life.
In the converted tunnels of London Bridge, Arches London Bridge is a new cultural hub for London, and provides a cavernous gallery space for the over 400 artefacts owned by Elvis.
Direct from his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee, visitors will find his military uniforms, TCB Super Trike Motorcycle and Ferrari Dino GT4, and an amazing array of his famous jumpsuits – plus personal items like Lisa Marie’s baby clothes, Elvis’ first job application and the crayon box he took to school.
In a time before celebrity stylists, Elvis carefully crafted his own look, borrowing from eclectic sources to perfect his style.
Among the items from Graceland are Elvis’ red MG automobile as featured in his classic film Blue Hawaii, a gold-plated rotary dial telephone from Elvis’ upstairs bedroom, the keys to Graceland and his gold microphone used on stage in Las Vegas in 1969.
‘What really makes this exhibition special is the glimpse each visitor gets behind the public persona of Elvis’
Some of the most recognisable items travelling from Memphis to London are the Gold Lamé Suit worn by Elvis in the 1950s, plus one of the two jumpsuits he used for his 1973 Aloha from Hawaii television special and the cape he famously tossed into the audience at the end of the show.
“The Aloha from Hawaii special was the world’s first satellite concert televised live, watched by 1.5 billion people.
Angie Marchese, Vice President of Archives and Exhibits at Elvis Presley Enterprises, said: “Through our archives and collection, we keep the past alive by preserving, and most of all by sharing the stories these objects represent through amazing exhibits.
“Preserving the past, rekindling memories and creating new ones. Elvis put so much of himself into his work and communicated so much with his audience on an intimate level.”
Liz Koravos, managing director of Arches London Bridge, said: “What really makes this exhibition special is the glimpse each visitor gets behind the public persona, behind the image of Elvis.
“He famously said at his Madison Square Garden press conference in 1972, ‘Image is one thing and a human being is another’. Direct From Graceland: Elvis gives you a peek backstage to meet the human being who is also the King of Rock‘n’Roll.”
Open until 26 February 2024. Tickets from £19.90 for adults and £16.90 for children aged 5-15.
Arches London Bridge, 8 Bermondsey Street, SE1 2ER
- This article is sponsored by Team London Bridge
