Elvis - A Lighted Candle

[Rainbow Light]

www.photo.net

Here's some alternative perspective quotes you may find interesting:

I drive a taxi in Memphis. During the summer, I spent many hours parked outside Graceland. Over the past three years, I have met hundreds of faithful Elvis fans from all over the world - Asia, Europe, Africa, South America and all across North America. I have seen the effect Elvis and his memory have on so many people who make a pilgrimage to Graceland. Its never so obvious as on "Vigil Night" when thousands of people live Elvis Presley Blvd. and file past Elvis' grave. With the upcoming 20th anniversary of his death, I am sure 1997 will see a larger crowd than usual. I just wish that the people who operate Graceland as a tourist attraction would do something to clean up the surrounding area. All the tacky souvenir shops, the crummy hamburger joints and the high price of touring Elvis' home leave a bad taste in the mouths of many first-time visitors. I think that Elvis himself would be ashamed if he knew that his home was being used to generate millions each year in revenues taken from his most loyal fans.

-- Robert T. Koenig, January 9, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I have been an Elvis fan for many years and can't explain the feeling I get everytime I hear him sing. I have every one of his movies and can watch them over & over. I always thought there was a special bond because our birthday's are one day apart. I was fortunate to have gone to Graceland a couple of years ago and felt a special feeling when I walked through it. There will only ever be one Elvis Presley.

-- Randy Falcioni, January 25, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
It is so wonderful to have a Memory Of Elvis site to visit and be able to share with other fans your thoughts and memories. I visited Graceland in 1988. The Junge Room was my favorite also. I would like to go for the 1997 anniversary, but don't know if I'll make it. I hate all those stupid books that all those whoevers have written, what people won't do for a buck. Great to have this spot to come to. Thanks!

-- Jimmie Moore, January 27, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
We were fortunate to have been in Elvis' audience three times, at the Spectrum, in Philadelphia, PA. We visited Graceland twice. Elvis is alive in our hearts and we are happy to have this site to kindle fond memories with other devotees of the undisputed king of rock and roll...Viva La Elvis! Lynne

-- Lynne Snyder, March 11, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I've loved Elvis since I was young. Iwas raised on his music, and have most of the movies off tv. I would like to know how to but good copies. I would love to visit Graceland after I graduate. I would love to meet Lisa to. I wish she would go on tv and tell everyone he's dead and to stop the nonsense.

-- Beverly May, March 23, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I think that Elvis will live forever. Not physically, that's impossible, but his spirit is very much alive today and always will be. I've never had the opportunity to go to Graceland, but I hope I will get there one day. Every time a song by Elvis is played, every time a movie with Elvis in it is seen, every time someone dresses up like Elvis, every time a picture of him is shown, he comes back alive again. That is what life is all about-Elvis.

-- Elizabeth Reif, June 22, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
If you are truly an Elvis fan, the trip to Memphis is well worth it. It's very hot in Memphis in the summer and crowded, so another time of year might like the trip more enjoyable. Graceland is in a very bad, run-down section of Memphis and is "tourist tacky", but once inside Graceland I got choked up seeing all of Elvis' personal possessions, especially his bedroom slippers for some reason. I would suggest the entire tour. Seeing how extravagantly Elvis lived was a kick--the planes and Stutz Bearcat automobiles were not so commonplace as they are today with celebrities. Make the pilgrimage. It's worth it.

-- k james, August 16, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I have thoroughly enjoyed this site. I found your address in a magazine I got for my birthday(Aug 13) called "A Tribute To Elvis" published by the C to C Publishing Inc. I want to tell all your visitors here of an impersonator it has become my privilege to come to know. His name is Mike Albert, and he has taken the crowns in Memphis. He is, without a doubt, as close as you can get to the "real" thing. I have seen him in concert with the Jordanaires and J.D. Sumner and The Stamps. He is a christian man, who only wants to keep the memories of Elvis alive. He does not think he IS Elvis. His gospel renditions make cold chills go up and down my spine just as Elvis' did, and this tells me that the holy spirit is present. I am sure that Elvis would agree that this guy is doing a great job with his "Memories of Elvis" tributes. I guarantee that you will not go away from one of his shows feeling like you did not get your money's worth. He also has the same kind of charm and charisma that the King had. Long live the King! He will be with us always in our hearts. I must thank you from the bottom of my heart for this site. Good Work! Don't ever go away!

-- Diane L Roberts, August 17, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I visited Graceland in 1995 and when I entered the doorway, all the years that I had wanted to be near him had come true! I had been worried that going to Graceland was not the right thing to do, but as soon as I went inside I could tell that it was ok with Elvis to be there. I cried not out of sadness, but out of joy. I feel Elvis' bedroom should never be open to the public, because that was his one place on earth that he had privacy. We need to let him rest in peace and a true Elvis fan would never do anything to hurt him. He lives in my heart and always will.




the way he loved us. Rest In Peace,

-- Belinda --, August 17, 1997 (alternative_perspective)

Hello, I am the Jean on the back of the album VEGAS FEVER. Hi to all Elvis fans worldwide.

-- Jean --, September 13, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I've just returned from my first visit to Graceland & I was struck by how the area around it hasn't become "Disneyized". There's a converted gas station to bar-b-q take out in the neighborhood & lots of the origional signs & businessses from his time. Hope it can stay stay that way.

-- patty delworth, October 11, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
i am NOT an elvis fan, nor did i even want to go to graceland. i had better ideas...like the OzFest, or a good ol' Metallica concert or something. I finally had to go because i couldn't bear the annoying, bitching and frustrating comments of my peers. i gave in, but did not regret it. graceland was impressive, only because you realize how one person, a regular mortal, could have so much power/influence over the general public. he was KING.

-- tanya himanen, October 21, 1997 (alternative_perspective)


i am an elvis fan; ie a fan of the music and of the man. going to graceland may be to some a superficial ambition but has a significance to me which i myself feel at a loss to express in words. Also, my long-suffering wife will be with me despite the fact that leonard cohen is more her "cup of tea" (still, everyone to their own, eh?) - which in fact states as clearly as i could do in any other way my own "obsession" and that of many others with all things Elvis.

-- archie crossan, November 14, 1997 (alternative_perspective)

[Di]

Thanks for posting this. It was great reading this early AM.

Di

[Rainbow Light]

You're welcome!

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

Thank you Sue it was great reading!

[Blue Moon]

-- Jean --, September 13, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I've just returned from my first visit to Graceland & I was struck by how the area around it hasn't become "Disneyized". There's a converted gas station to bar-b-q take out in the neighborhood & lots of the origional signs & businessses from his time. Hope it can stay stay that way.

I have a feeling, per what I've read, that the area around Graceland will change. Funny, though, some want it to stay the same - for sentimental reasons & a link to the past (as in the above quote), and yet others look upon the area as run down and needing to be improved.

[MaryInTheMorning]

-- Jean --, September 13, 1997 (alternative_perspective)
I've just returned from my first visit to Graceland & I was struck by how the area around it hasn't become "Disneyized". There's a converted gas station to bar-b-q take out in the neighborhood & lots of the origional signs & businessses from his time. Hope it can stay stay that way.

I have a feeling, per what I've read, that the area around Graceland will change. Funny, though, some want it to stay the same - for sentimental reasons & a link to the past (as in the above quote), and yet others look upon the area as run down and needing to be improved.

I have that same feeling too Laurie from things that I've read also. I believe that I read somewhere that Sillerman actually IS in talks/negotiations with Disney to build something there in the way of some type of theme park or something. Elvis cherished Graceland so much and I wish that they(EPE, etc......) would just leave it alone and let it be the place of beauty and peace that Elvis always knew it to be. Thank you Sue for posting this as it was really interesting to read.

[Rainbow Light]

Glad everyone found this interesting to read also!

Elvis cherished Graceland so much and I wish that they(EPE, etc......) would just leave it alone and let it be the place of beauty and peace that Elvis always knew it to be.

AMEN, Mari! I heard about the theme park before now too but I honestly feel - and hope - this was some rumor that was spread about! I understood Libertyland had been demolished because no-one was going there anymore which is a great shame but understandable if no business being there to run of course. However, I used to like Libertyland and even summoned the courage to go on the Zippin Pippin rollercoaster - I could imagine Elvis enjoying himself and being happy there and that was so great you know but me, once and only once - I had to make a quick dash to the restroom, I'll spare you the rest of the details! No, even if I'd had the money to buy that and put it in my garden when it was auctioned off - no way!

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

Amen Mari!

[Rainbow Light]

[MaryInTheMorning]

Sue you fared ALOT better than I would have. At least you made it riding it ONCE---I don't think I would've even gotten that far-LOL! If I would've been able to ride that with Elvis, I would've had to of held onto him for dear life!!! See, it just goes to show ya that there's an upside to everything-lol! Knowing him, he probably would've loved my reaction to his favorite ride and would've been laughing at me the whole time-lol!

[Elvis'SweetSweetSpirit]

[Rainbow Light]

Sue you fared ALOT better than I would have. At least you made it riding it ONCE---I don't think I would've even gotten that far-LOL! If I would've been able to ride that with Elvis, I would've had to of held onto him for dear life!!!

In one way it would have been great to be with Elvis but I'd have just feared having the same experience as one of the secretaries, Becky Yancey, did when she rode that roller coaster with him - poor woman felt so nauseous because he kept wanting to ride round that she ended up throwing up on Elvis, poor lady! I'd have wanted the earth to swallow me up, you know! Total embarrassment!

[MaryInTheMorning]

Sue you fared ALOT better than I would have. At least you made it riding it ONCE---I don't think I would've even gotten that far-LOL! If I would've been able to ride that with Elvis, I would've had to of held onto him for dear life!!!

In one way it would have been great to be with Elvis but I'd have just feared having the same experience as one of the secretaries, Becky Yancey, did when she rode that roller coaster with him - poor woman felt so nauseous because he kept wanting to ride round that she ended up throwing up on Elvis, poor lady! I'd have wanted the earth to swallow me up, you know! Total embarrassment!

Poor Becky. I'm right there with you Sue and agree that if what happened to her would've happened to me, I would have just wanted to completely disappear.

[Rainbow Light]

Uh-huh!