Today's RAD Song: I'm Going to Graceland

I was less than a year old when Elvis died.

Suffice it to say, I never got to know the King of Rock and Roll in the same way my parents generation did, simply because my interaction with him has always been posthumously.  That said, the influence and importance of Elvis - in the years before his death, and since - has been so universal, that it's his image that now far outweighs the man.

There is no grater example of this than the 14 acre estate located at 3734 Elvis Presley Boulevard in Memphis, Tennessee: Graceland.

Presley's first official recording session for Sam Phillips' Sun Records took place in July of 1954. The resulting single, a suped up version of a 1946 blues number by Arthur Crudup called 'That's All Right Mama', was played on-air by legendary Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips a few days later and launched a unimaginable cultural revolution. (We'll talk just a little more about Sun Records tomorrow, btw...)

Now, some claim that Elvis invented rock n' roll. With all due respect, those people are wrong. But, he was the first recording artist to bring what would become known as 'rock n' roll' music to a significantly larger (read 'white') audience.

The rest, as they say, is history... and trust me, I could write 20 blog posts about the history and cultural significance of Elvis and early rock n' roll (and perhaps in time I will), but I'll spare you for the time being - if you need more info on this right this second, click here.

But... Graceland is trip, man... seriously. And, an expensive trip at that! I won't dwell on it (too long), but first you pay $10.00 for parking, then its $35.00 for the basic guided mansion tour and self guided tours of the car collection, Presley's two private airplanes, and a very extensive collection of his movie memorabilia. After you've made your way through the crowds there, you're herded through no less than four gift shops, a burger bar, and a soda shop. By the time you're done you've easily spent $100.00 - what with the obligatory t-shirt, key chain and collectible spoon for grandma!

Is it kitschy as hell and kind of like Disneyland? Well, sure - how could it not be? And the mansion itself - while a treat to wander through - is truly modest by today's standards (even with the stables, garages and racquetball building). In fact, it's the gaudiness of it all that's so impressive; how is it that man with so much musical talent can so obviously lack a good taste in home decor? Have a look here to see what I mean - the Jungle Room is my favourite!

But you know what? It's worth it. It's a glimpse into the life of a king. I like it here.

People make pilgrimages here from all over the world to pay their respects and to bask - if only for an hour or two - in the aura of a legend. A legend that come alive all around you within these walls, and if you're a student of popular history - as I am - this is one of those places you just have to cross off your 'must see' list at some point.

Today's RAD song is that original Sun Records recording from 1954... I'm sure you've heard it, but I'm also sure that you love it:

That's All Right by Elvis Presley


And as an added bonus, a song that says so much more about the hallowed ground that is Graceland than I could ever say:

Graceland by Paul Simon