Elvis in Wales
Elvis 75th Birthday
January 5th saw the Elvis Presley Fan Club flying out to Memphis to celebrate what would have been Elvis's 75th Birthday. The weather was freezing but spirits were warm as old friends greeted each other, happy to be on their way to what for some is a regular pilgrimage to the home of our man, 'Graceland'.
The morning of the 6th January we joined the tour of the city of Memphis which included Sun Studios, Lauderdale Courts and Audubon Drive both homes of Elvis before he bought Graceland. Humes High School, Stax Studios, Poplar Tunes and finally Graceland itself which was closed to the public which left the Fan Club Members to wander around Elvis's home at their own leisure. We then all gathered together at the Auto Museum for a reception hosted by the management of Elvis Presley Enterprises, here I spoke to Jack Soden about what we at the Wales Branch were hoping to do in 2010, he sent his best wishes to all of you here in the Principality.
Friday 8th January saw us gather in front of Graceland for the Birthday Proclamation, we were surrounded by the World's Press and finally we got to meet Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Benjamin and Riley, it was breathtaking to see how much Lisa and Benjamin have the look of their father and grandfather. Soon afterwards we were on a coach making our way to Tupelo and another birthday party, this time at Elvis's birthplace. The warm hospitality of the Tupelo people never fails to amaze me, we were made so welcome, with a slice of birthday cake, lots of hot coffee and a set of Elvis's old school friends to reminisce with.
The rest of the week was spent paying our respects at Graceland and partying on Beale especially at the one and only Rum Boogie, Memphis and music at its very best.
So that's all that's left to say is 'Happy Birthday Elvis', rest assured your legacy is being well looked after by the people who care about you. The King is dead, long live the King.
by
Carol Pugh
The morning of the 6th January we joined the tour of the city of Memphis which included Sun Studios, Lauderdale Courts and Audubon Drive both homes of Elvis before he bought Graceland. Humes High School, Stax Studios, Poplar Tunes and finally Graceland itself which was closed to the public which left the Fan Club Members to wander around Elvis's home at their own leisure. We then all gathered together at the Auto Museum for a reception hosted by the management of Elvis Presley Enterprises, here I spoke to Jack Soden about what we at the Wales Branch were hoping to do in 2010, he sent his best wishes to all of you here in the Principality.
Friday 8th January saw us gather in front of Graceland for the Birthday Proclamation, we were surrounded by the World's Press and finally we got to meet Priscilla, Lisa Marie, Benjamin and Riley, it was breathtaking to see how much Lisa and Benjamin have the look of their father and grandfather. Soon afterwards we were on a coach making our way to Tupelo and another birthday party, this time at Elvis's birthplace. The warm hospitality of the Tupelo people never fails to amaze me, we were made so welcome, with a slice of birthday cake, lots of hot coffee and a set of Elvis's old school friends to reminisce with.
The rest of the week was spent paying our respects at Graceland and partying on Beale especially at the one and only Rum Boogie, Memphis and music at its very best.
So that's all that's left to say is 'Happy Birthday Elvis', rest assured your legacy is being well looked after by the people who care about you. The King is dead, long live the King.
by
Carol Pugh