"ELVIS" Memphis by NC_Ziggy

I decided to post these pictures of Elvis Presley that came to me a number of years ago from a source that I cannot recall. They are copies of pictures taken during his last concert in Charlotte (not his last concert before his death) in February, 1977 only 6 months before he died. I apologize that I cannot give proper credit to the photographer as this person is unknown to me, but I do give them credit for outstanding work as the pictures are quite good! I hope they will appear so here for your viewing…

I have been to Memphis though briefly on business, so I thought it fitting to post them on a Memphis travelogue. I arrived there on a sunny Sunday afternoon and was able to spend a bit of leisurely time strolling along Beale Street, the main drag where clubs abound and host a lively musical presence. Of course, Memphis is where Elvis lived in his “Graceland” home and where he also died on August 16, 1977.

I remember the day of his death vividly as one of those events that causes you to have exact recall of where you were when you heard the news… I was driving from my work to evening classes, I remember the street I was on, and even the place on that street when the radio announced that Elvis Aaron Presley was dead. I remember it was a cloudy day…

I was not his biggest fan, but I immensely admired and respected him for the impact he had upon the entertainment industry and also because his career developed during my childhood. Though eccentric, (and I wonder who wouldn’t be given his star status and the unmistakable loss of personal freedom and normalcy) he was generally regarded as very generous, kind, and extremely loyal and well-mannered. If you are interested in learning more about his life, you may want to visit the official Elvis web site Elvis for an interesting look at his life and times.

I present these photos without further comment and hope that they might bring some fond memories to you or if Elvis came before you did, surely you have heard of him and now you will see him as he was… I hope you enjoy them and it is my pleasure to share them with you.

These stories were kindly provided by VT member Labeep (a very sweet Isabella) and are true accounts provided by her husband Dave. If you want to read interesting, informative travel tips with a really keen sense of humor, I highly recommend that you visit Isa's pages here! Labeep's Fantastic Pages! Sadly, I must report that Isabella's pages are no longer here! It grieves me when friends go away without a word as her pages were so prolific and full of life. If anyone has knowledge of her and why she is no longer on VT, I would appreciate knowing... Thanks! And thanks, Isa... wherever you are! I hope you are here again soon!

Here are Dave's personal stories of Elvis in his own words!

In 1964, I was stationed at a Naval Training school in Memphis. One afternoon I was in the city park over looking the Mississippi and an elderly Jewish gentleman sat down on the bench next to me and my friend. He introduced himself, but I have forgotten his name, and eventually the conversation came around to Elvis. He told us that ever since Elvis was a teen, he would walk by his jewelry and clothing store on the way home from school.

Elvis was fascinated with the fine clothes and beautiful jewelry that was on display and told the owner that when he became rich and famous, he was going to buy all his clothes and jewelry from this man. The old man just smiled and agreed with him and told him he would always make him the best price. Years later, when Elvis got his fame and fortune, he returned to this store and bought his clothes and jewelry, fulfilling his promise.

It turns out that the old man in the park was the owner of that store, Elvis’ first tailor and jewelry designer.


In the summer of 1974, I was at a Los Angeles Cadillac dealership dickering over the price of a used car, when the salesman brought my attention to a fellow with an Elvis hairdo who parked a black Cadillac convertible at the curb, and came into the showroom to speak with another salesman. I didn't pay much attention as I was signing my paperwork and it is not polite to stare at or annoy ‘Stars”, and I thought it can't be the REAL Elvis because there were no bodyguards.
I didn't even know that Elvis was in town. Maybe he was in town on private business or he was doing a deal on a new film. The studios were just down the road.

I finished my paperwork and went out to the curb to have my car brought around and there was this cute college girl standing at the curb admiring the convertible. This Elvis fellow came out and the girl almost collapsed from shock … It WAS ELVIS!

He spoke to her in that unmistakable voice and noted how she liked his ‘old’ car. Next thing I know, he is telling her she can have his old one, because he had just bought a new pink one and it was just now being delivered. He handed her the keys, pulled out the title and signed it over to her. The poor girl was in shock, but just then my car pulled up for me to drive away… I wasn’t much of an Elvis Fan and anyway, Stars deserve some measure of privacy.