Major Elvis exhibition takes us behind the curtain of The King’s life
Acomprehensive new retrospective exhibition exploring the life of Elvis Presley has opened in London, o ering up the largest collection ever assembled of the King Of Rock’n’Roll’s treasures to be seen in the UK.
Staged at Arches London Bridge and running until 25 February 2024, Direct From Graceland: Elvis is the most significant collection of Presley items to leave Memphis, including instruments, stage outfits and personal belongings.
The exhibition will feature more than 400 artefacts owned by Elvis, direct from his Graceland home, including his military uniforms, his American football uniform, a TCB Super Trike Motorcycle and Ferrari Dino GT4. Also on display are an amazing array of The King’s famous jumpsuits – plus personal items including Lisa Marie’s baby clothes, Elvis’ first job application and even the crayon box he took to school.
Among the featured items from Graceland are Elvis’ red MG automobile as featured in the Blue Hawaii movie, a gold-plated rotary dial telephone from Elvis’ upstairs bedroom, the keys to Graceland and the gold microphone used on stage for his Las Vegas shows in 1969.
Fans will also be thrilled to see one of his iconic 50s gold lamé suits and one of the two jumpsuits Elvis wore for his Aloha From Hawaii TV special in 1973, as well as the cape that he famously tossed into the audience at the end of the show.
Key periods in Presley’s life and career are covered, including his early years living in Tupelo, Mississippi, his breakout Sun Studio hits, US Army service, the ‘Elvismania’ era, as well as his many Hollywood movies, the ’68 Comeback Special performance, Aloha From Hawaii and Las Vegas residency years.
The exhibition also moves beyond the familiar story of his musical and acting career to present the more private side of Elvis – his devotion to his parents, his passion for motorcycles, books, horses and karate, and the haven he created in Graceland for friends and family. It includes garments and jewellery worn by Presley throughout his life, personal items from Graceland, as well as vintage Elvis-branded merchandise, costumes, and scripts from the Hollywood movies and much more.
“The exhibition moves beyond the familiar story of his musical and acting career to present the more private side of Elvis”
Angie Marchese, Vice President of Archives and Exhibits at Elvis Presley Enterprises, commented: “As archivists, we are also storytellers. Through our archives and collection, we keep the past alive by preserving, and most of all by sharing the stories these objects represent through amazing exhibits. Preserving the past, rekindling memories and creating new ones – this is what we do, it is who we are. Elvis put so much of himself into his work and communicated so much with his audience on an intimate level. It is wonderful to be able to share this intimate journey through his story with all the UK fans.”
Liz Koravos, Managing Director of Arches London Bridge added: “What really makes this exhibition special is the glimpse each visitor gets behind the public persona, behind the image of Elvis. He famously said at his Madison Square Garden press conference in 1972: ‘Image is one thing and a human being is another.’ Direct From Graceland: Elvis gives each visitor a peek backstage to meet the human being that is also the King of Rock’n’Roll.”