Elvis Presley’s Graceland is offering the chance to go ‘behind the ropes’ at his Memphis mansion after launching ‘VIP’ virtual tours for the first time, while tourists stay away amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The successful American attraction, which was purchased by the musical icon in 1957, generally attracts between 500,000 to 700,000 tourists a year, but has been hit by a massive drop in visitors as a result of the pandemic.
Now, for $ 100, fans who can’t travel to Tennessee can sign up for a two-hour guided tour of the singer’s former home and Meditation Garden, where he is buried. Organizers say they will also tell stories never heard before.
Graceland, Elvis Presley’s former home in Tennessee, is offering virtual live tours for the first time. For $ 100, fans can sign up to take a look at their home as well as their private jet, The Lisa Marie (photo)
Participants can get close to their personal belongings, like their famous pink Cadillac Series 60, usually behind ropes at the famous attraction
The expert will guide you through some of the music icon’s most beloved fashion moments
Cameras will take you “behind the ropes” at the US attraction to see your belongings up close, like your gold records
A specialist will be on hand to answer questions, as well as to tell stories that are not normally included during face-to-face tours
During live tours, a specialist will take participants to Elvis’ private jet – The Lisa Marie – and provide close-up views of artifacts such as his famous jeweled jumpsuits and pink Cadillac. Fans will also have a chance to ask the expert questions.
The VIP tours are scheduled for January 27, February 25 and March 25, with more dates expected, marking the year in which the King of Rock N Roll would turn 86.
This is not Graceland’s first foray into online entertainment since the pandemic began.
Last year, fans were invited to attend Elvis Week events in a closed Facebook group that required a paid ticket to enter.
Other virtual events included ‘attending’ previous Elvis Week concerts broadcast online, panels with experts, new interviews with bandmates and friends and a look at previous candlelight vigils.
“As the COVID pandemic continues to evolve and health officials learn more about high-risk activities, we must evolve with them,” said a Graceland spokesman earlier.
“There is no higher priority than the health and safety of our guests and staff.”
It reopened to the public in May after the blockade, with reduced capacity.
Elvis, photographed in Graceland in the late 1950s, bought the property for $ 102,500 when he was 22 in 1957
Graceland, which reopened in May with reduced capacity to accommodate the coronavirus pandemic, is the second most visited attraction in the United States, after the White House. In the photo are the fans lining up in 2017
Elvis bought the property for $ 102,500 when he was 22.
The singer and actor lived in the house until his death on August 16, 1977 at the age of 42.
It has operated as a museum since 1982. Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie is the current owner of the attraction.
Since his death, devotees of the late singer and actor have flocked to Graceland, his former home as a museum, to honor Presley on the anniversary of his death.
Last year, as a result of the pandemic, fans were asked to make reservations in advance and stand two meters away, as well as follow other virus-related safety guidelines.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland
Elvis bought Graceland in 1957, when he was 22 years old. It became an ‘oasis’ for him
Built in 1939, Graceland was purchased by Elvis Presley in 1957 for $ 102,500. The 17,552m² Revival Colonial style home in Memphis, Tennessee, sits on a 13.8-acre property and has become his private haven from stardom.
The king of rock ‘n’ roll died at home on August 16, 1977, at just 42 years old, but in the early 1980s, Graceland became a burden on his property, which faced high property and inheritance taxes.
It has operated as a museum since 1982. Presley’s daughter Lisa Marie is the current owner of the attraction.
Although no one knew whether it would be a commercial success at first, it helped make the city a favorite destination for music lovers, receiving more than 20 million visitors in three decades.
They sold all 3,024 tickets on the first day and Graceland’s success led to a worldwide merchandising and licensing business that keeps the Elvis legend strong while generating $ 32 million (£ 20.6 million) a year in revenue, based on 2012 numbers.
It is the second most visited home in the United States after the White House, with an average of 500,000 to 700,000 national and international visitors annually.
The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, making it the first rock and roll-related site to be entered.
Elvis’ ex-wife, Priscilla, says it’s the singer’s spirit, not just the history of the song, that keeps the crowds going to Graceland.
“Whenever I go in there, I feel like Elvis is going to come down the stairs any minute,” she said in a recent interview about the milestone birthday.
“I have no doubt that he is there, somewhere, his spirit. I think people feel that. ‘
Presley fans flock to Graceland’s tourist attraction every year for Elvis Week, a celebration of his life and career as a singer and actor that marks the anniversary of his death in August 1977. In the photo, a special tribute to art in August 2019
During the annual vigil, fans pass by Presley’s grave in Graceland holding candles. This year, due to the pandemic, fans were asked to reserve a place to allow social distance
In July, fans mourned the suicide of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s grandson, Benjamin Storm Keough, at the age of 27.
Keough was the son of Lisa Marie Presley and her ex-husband, singer-songwriter Danny Keough, and was known for his resemblance to the singer.
Lisa Marie, the only daughter of Elvis and his wife Priscilla, grew up in Graceland in Memphis and was only nine when her father died in 1977.
In October, almost three months after his tragic death, Benjamin Keough was buried beside his grandfather in Graceland.
Lisa Marie had previously talked about the resemblance of her son, left, with her father, Elvis, right, calling her resemblance ‘strange’