Video transcript
Standing at the gates, I couldn't help but wonder "How did I get here?"
6 months earlier when a friend and I saw 'Elvis - the Concert' at the Newcastle Arena,
little did I expect I would be watching the same show at the Mid-South Coliseum in Elvis' home town, Memphis.
During the interval of the show at the Newcastle Arena, we looked through the
programme of tour dates and saw that 'Elvis - the Concert' hit Memphis that summer.
"Fancy seeing it?' said my friend. "Yeah, why not?" I replied, never really expecting it to
become a reality. But, with the travel arrangements hastily made, that summer I was
winging my way across the Atlantic to touch down in 'the land of cotton'.
It was a 9 hour flight but my jet-lag was put to one side. There was far too much to see. Sun Studio where
Elvis made his first records and, of course, a tour of Graceland, Elvis' home. My eyes were
darting everywhere. There was so much to take in. Dazzling costumes, gold and platinum records,
the famous pink Cadillac and even a private jet - the Lisa Marie, named after his
daughter.
Unlike my parents, I wasn't a teenager when rock and roll started in the 1950s, but
I've been an Elvis fan for as long as I can remember. So where did my interest come
from? Funnily enough, I think my first introduction to him was watching his
films as a youngster on Saturday morning TV in the early 1970s.
Now I'm older, I know that Elvis' films are criticised for their simple formula of Elvis-
meets-girl; Elvis-sings-a-couple-of-songs; Elvis-gets-girl. But at the time I wasn't looking
for great technical values or an amazing storyline - it was an opportunity to see Elvis in
my own living room. I didn't expect to get any closer than that but now, here I am - at the
Graceland gates, visiting the King's own home.
utterly absorbingPosted on 08/10/2009 at 09:18:21
That's an amazing comment for you to give. As Elvis would say 'Thankyouverymuch!' StevePosted on 09/10/2009 at 02:31:59
Really interesting peice. Cant wait to go myself. Cx Posted on 11/10/2009 at 09:13:52
I thoroughly enjoyed this particularly well written, inspirational story. I really enjoyed the way you started and ended your story in Gracelands. Well done!Posted on 12/10/2009 at 09:55:37
A true Elvis fan, The King obviously made a massive impression on a young Steve Haley, I'm not sure what your uncle Bill would have made of it. Rock-a-hula Steve! SinatraPosted on 21/10/2009 at 06:00:19
Steve, my husband John and I REALLY enjoyed viewing and listening to your very special memories of ELVIS, Memphis and Graceland. Thank you for sharing your story. From "across the pond" I say "ELVIS-4 Ever Cool" -p.s. - you were an adorable child!! Joy De Luca New Jersey/USAPosted on 08/11/2009 at 01:41:25
Cannot wait to here some elvis music. You have inspired me! HeatherPosted on 08/12/2009 at 10:15:39
This is the perfect way to break down this informaiotn.Posted on 19/09/2011 at 11:37:58
There are no words to describe how bdocaious this is.Posted on 20/09/2011 at 03:44:28
Holy sihznit, this is so cool thank you.Posted on 20/09/2011 at 05:00:16
Hey, subtle must be your mdidle name. Great post!Posted on 20/09/2011 at 05:09:31
nxmQlV njzmpcrrloedPosted on 20/09/2011 at 08:07:27
Shoot, so that's that one suppsoes.Posted on 22/09/2011 at 06:29:11
Ho ho, who wlouda thunk it, right?Posted on 22/09/2011 at 09:13:37
Yo, that's what's up trutfhully.Posted on 22/09/2011 at 11:11:56
4pWQDb znzhnivlggbmPosted on 23/09/2011 at 09:08:57
gS04Oq txrjciqkzmdsPosted on 24/09/2011 at 04:51:19
mdZUMm hibivvlkeyqxPosted on 25/09/2011 at 07:54:10
hey steve loved the story ! is it just me or is there some0ne trying to take the mick here? i don't understand some of these messages left here? is it me ? or can the site people remove this?Posted on 11/10/2011 at 18:24:44
Hi to the person who left the last comment - i've contacted the web developers to see if these comments can be removed. They seem to have been added to a few stories! Posted on 23/10/2011 at 21:23:56