Get the latest news and updates emailed straight to your inbox. The JetStar was powered by Pratt and Whitney JT12A-8 turbojet engines and attained a cruising speed of 547 mph. Elvis Presley's home, Graceland, holds tantalizing secrets. Their plan was approved Tuesday by. Photo by David Tulis. The organization noted that he kicked off a musical revolution by modernizing blues, country, bluegrass, and in later years gospel music, for younger audiences. This was at the heart of Elvis and Priscilla's last ever conversation, when Lisa Marie was staying with her father at Graceland. ctxt_ad_tc = "FFFFFF"; The plane is gorgeously decorated with lush blues, greens and gold. Sure, it's a still a mansion, but it's not the sprawling property one might expect from the world's biggest rock star. Memphis International Airport and its general aviation-friendly Wilson Air Center fixed-base operator afford the closest access to Graceland. The King chose the fabricincluding blue suede for a couch, easy chairs, and other accentsand his wife Priscilla helped with other design flourishes. The company said in a statement announcing the auction, While Elviss jet-setting lifestyle is apparent throughout the Lisa Marie jet which he used for his exclusive transportation and private air travel, the last flight the plane took was when it transported Priscilla Presley and Elviss good friend George Hamilton from California to his funeral. FTD's first new releases for 2023 with possible release date of March 6. // Y2K Fix by Isaac Powell It's also there in the plane, with its opulent, gaudy fit-out that even Donald Trump might consider over the top. There are variety of packages available for visitors to Graceland, starting with the mansion-only tour, while others include the exhibitions and planes. In 1975, it was purchased by the king of rock'n'roll, Elvis Presley, for US$250,000. The recording artist also changed the color of the cabin seats to yellow, green, and blue. Where Was Netflix's "The Watcher" Filmed? According to Rolling Stone, the two planes eventually ended up in the care of OKC Partnership, which agreed in the middle of the 1980s to display the aircraft at Elvis' former home-turned-museum, Graceland, in exchange for a percentage of ticket sales. On another occasion he flew some friends, in the middle of the night, from Memphis to Denver just so he could satiate a hankering for a local restaurant's Fool's Gold Loaf a giant sandwich made from an entire loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter, jam and bacon. Discover more of our stories here. Us, too. The writer visited as a guest of Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau. In one of his less memorable roles, Presley starred as a crop dusting Boeing Stearman pilot in the 1963 major motion picture, It Happened at the Worlds Fair. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. There was a public hearing where the Guesthouse was introduced to the Memphis movers and shakers. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser. It was a last-minute decision not only to do the scene in that closet but to cover the true-to-reality white walls with a wallpaper they had on hand. Elvis' bedroom graceland - Above the television. Preserved from the time of Presley's death, Graceland offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the entertainer. Two years after Elvis Presley died, his father Vernon . Catherine Martin on the set of Elviss hotel suite. 1 tune. Presley paid $900,000 for the Hound Dog II, more than three times the amount spent on the Lisa Marie. General Dewitt Spain Airport is a nontowered airfield with a scenic Mississippi River approach to Runway 17/35 near a hard-to-miss bend in the waterway. Seegraceland.com, The Guest House at Graceland opened in late 2016 and is next door to the mansion. Photo by David Tulis. Photo byT.A.F.K.A.S. Visitors can stroll through what he called his Flying Graceland, a four-engine commercial jet that was the General Dynamics Corp. equivalent of a Boeing 707the aircraft model Presley preferred to own until a 707 deal fell through. Graceland was his primary home for 20 years, and the estate became an essential part of the singer . Most of the furnishings are covered in plastic. Austin Butler as Elvis standing in front of the mansions fireplace on set. Presley's Convair 880 cruised at 615 mph and had a maximum takeoff weight of 193,000 pounds, a range of 2,880 miles, and a wingspan of 120 feet. Marion Keiske Who Discovered Elvis Presley? Graceland estimates that over one billion" Elvis records have been sold worldwide across every musical format from vinyl to digital. The Hound Dog II experienced the fate as the Lisa Marie. For a brief time in 2014, it seemed that the planes would leave Graceland, as the agreement between the site and OKC was ending. He reportedly flew to Colorado for the day just so young Lisa Marie could see snow for the first time. Elvis had it delivered to the Colonel in Vegas on July 26, but the Colonel didn't really take it the way that Elvis had hoped. The white-and-blue jet has a distinctive TCB logo and lightning bolt on its tail, a reminder of Presleys Taking Care of Business logo and mindset. Photo by David Tulis. And more interestingly, where are these aircraft now? They pushed through Elvis's bedroom, noticing the deep-pile red rug and the huge unmade bed facing three television consoles, one for each of the three major networks. They were first incorporated into the Graceland tourist attraction in the 1980s, with revenue split between OKC and Elvis Presley Enterprises. For most visitors though, it's the mansion itself that is the highlight. After the threat Vernon sought with efforts of the Major of Memphis to move Elvis Presleys coffin in the dead of night and reburied in the garden area of Graceland and ensure that Elvis Presley remains would be safer in a more protected environment. The four-person crew managed the plane's 4 x General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets, 615mph cruise speed and 3,000 . . Here is a look at the specifications of the two planes: Sadly, Elvis did not get to fly on the two jets for long. The plane could carry a maximum of 29 people, and Elvis could even make use of a conference room on board the aircraft. Ruth and her husband divorced in 1952, and she then sold the housealong with 13.8 acres of surrounding landto a 22-year-old Elvis Presley in March 1957 for $102,500. One of Presleys most renown performances was televised live from Hawaii, but he did not perform overseas. Everyone sees the guard posted at the bottom of the stairs, another guard is posted at the top of the stairs as a sentinel, barricading the ominous locked door. Presley loved vehicles, particularly unusual ones, and the museum features a large selection of cars not just from his personal collection (including his famous pink Cadillac) but also those used in some of his movies. The same Fort Worth, Texas, crew that worked on Air Force One transformed the 94-passenger jet into a personalized work of art that could accommodate 29 family members and friends in comfort and style. Other pieces were sourced or altered to replicate the look. Elvis also referred to the plane as The Pride of Elvis Presley Airways and My Flying Graceland as he jetted about the US on tour. The concert celebrated Elvis' Nashville Marathon Sessions at Nashville's Studio B in 1970 and 1971 with musicians James Burton, David Briggs, and Charlie McCoy, who shared the studio with Elvis. We did what was necessary with the procedures that were available at the time. Although Elvis major organs such as his brain and heart are still in storage at the Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, Dr Francisco believes that any further investigation and post-mortem analyses would not reveal any revelations surround the cause of death. The unassuming building launched the careers of not only Elvis Presley, but Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and many more. He renamed it the. There was just something quintessentially Elvis about it, even though it was a fictionalized interior, Martin says. We had a little birthday party when it turned one, Martin shares. Each flight cost around $404,000 to operate. Photo by David Tulis. In 1975, it was purchased by the king of rock'n'roll, Elvis Presley, for $US250,000. Elvis and Priscilla Presley (played by Olivia DeJonge) standing near the iconic peacock stained glass panels in the film. 'Elvis knew he would die at 42' Girlfriend and singer Kathy says, Elvis Presley was jealous of Priscilla's boyfriends like Mike Stone, Elvis' terror when girlfriend Anita discovered Priscilla affair, Elvis: Lisa Marie fears long before the end 'Please don't die, daddy', Elvis: Lisa Marie most 'terrifying' childhood moments 'Oh, dear God' (INTERVIEW), Elvis Graceland 'mayhem' rooms: Lisa Marie describes what went on in private rooms (VIDEO), Elvis Presley funeral: The King told Priscilla his darkest FEAR, Elvis death: Final 24 hours surrounded by people but he died ALONE, Elvis: His final hour and desperate attempts to revive him, Elvis's father Vernon and fiancee Ginger slam LIES about final days. July, While on tour, Elvis decided to present the Colonel with his own airplane, a Grumman Gulfstream G-1, which he bought sight unseen. At the beginning, when Michael catches Jesse stealing from his car, Jesse kicks Michael in the shin, just as Kurt Russell did to the real Elvis Presley in It Happened at the World's Fair (1963). See graceland.com, The Guest House at Graceland opened in late 2016 and is next door to the mansion. The two jets have been permanent fixtures at Memphis estate for 30 . It is the recently announced $70 million Guesthouse at Graceland, a 450-room luxury hotel to be built just north of Graceland on the same side of the street. He said: "Their love-making was frequently interrupted by phone calls from Elvis who, although they had been divorced for two years, still rang her at all hours of the day and night. What do you think about the two planes? Forty years after the untimely death, August 16, 1977 the secrets surrounding Elvis grave site is still to be laid to rest. It was also decorated by Presley but in a 1960s mod-era color palette of green, turquoise, and yellow. Elvis told them: "Mama would be so proud if she could see me now, a married man with a baby. The plane has gone on to be one of the most visited tourist attractions in the US. Presley was big on keeping up with the trends in interior decorating, so it's unfortunate he died during the ugliest period in history the late 1970s. Released as a 3-CD 5" digi-pak, this set features three 1974 concerts recorded via soundboard at The Hilton Hotel, Las Vegas on January 28, 29 Midnight and February 1 . Let us know what you think of the aircraft in the comment section. The upstairs remains closed to the public, but the living rooms, his parents' bedroom, the TV room, pool room and famously gaudy "Jungle Room" are all on the tour, along with his racquetball building and his father's office. As far as unfinished business goes, Elvis had plenty of it. Elvis' father, Vernon, sold the plane in 1978 and it changed hands a couple of times. The Lisa Marie is one of two of his private jets on the property, the other a smaller Lockheed Jet Star. Heartbreak Hotel, a No. There are gold-plated belt buckles, suede seats, leather-topped tables even the sinks in the two bathrooms are flecked with 24-karat gold. It is not known whose hand dictated the 24-karat-gold-trimmed bathroom fixtures. Thomas R Machnitzki via Wikimedia Commons, languishing under the scorching New Mexico desert sun, Photo:Thomas R Machnitzki via Wikimedia Commons, Engines: 4 x General Electric CJ-805-3 Pod Mount Jets, Crew: two pilots and typically one flight attendant. Given his decadent lifestyle, Graceland is surprisingly small. Bettmann Archive months[12]="December"; For 30 years, tourists have paid money to get a look at two planes once owned by Elvis Presley at Graceland in Memphis. See staxmuseum.com/, One of the two biggest names in guitar manufacturing, Gibson is still based in Memphis and offers tours of the facility to see how the iconic instruments are made. There are some slight differences, though, including a vintage wallpaper in Elviss mothers closet. Barbecue lovers have their pick of joints. Then my phone battery died, Eight destinations that films and TV shows changed forever, Get free shore excursions, beverages and shipboard credit with Oceania Cruises, Get $2500 bonus value on Hawaii beach resort holiday, Save up to $1800 on a journey to the end of the world, Get $2300 in bonus value on five-star Palm Cove stay. Hitchens said: "The last time Elvis spoke to his ex-wife was by telephone on the night he died. Seeguesthousegraceland.com. Author and friend of Elvis and Priscilla, Chris Hitchens, spoke to photographer Terry O'Neill who dated Priscilla in 1975. Baz wanted Elvis's kind of meteoric rise to fame and his rags to riches story to be echoed in the evolution of both the interior and the exterior, explains Martin, co-production designer as well as costume designer and producer on the film. Elvis Presley 's custom-designed airplanes - the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II - will remain permanent fixtures at Graceland. The Lisa Marie is one of two of his private jets on the property, the other a smaller Lockheed Jet Star. Photo by David Tulis. But in 1984, the aircraft was handed over to Memphis-based OKC Partnership, which set up an agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises to allow the company to publicly display the jet at Graceland in exchange for a percentage of ticket sales. Seestaxmuseum.com/, One of the two biggest names in guitar manufacturing, Gibson is still based in Memphis and offers tours of the facility to see how the iconic instruments are made. Tour the Jets Sure, it's a still a mansion, but it's not the sprawling property one might expect from the world's biggest rock star. UPDATE 01-17-2023, 18:00(UTC +3): After spending 40 years in the desert Presleys last jet, the Lockheed 1329 JetStar, was sold for $260,000 in an auction on January 8, 2023. Biopic vs. Take a look inside the plane and at the rest of Graceland in the gallery above. Bavarian Airlines 18-year-old founder accused of fraud and being 15, Air China becomes fourth Chinese airline to resume 737 MAX service, Russia will divest from the Sukhoi Superjet 100 program, Airbus warns airlines of potential A321XLR delay, FAA issues directive to prevent Boeing 777 fuel tank explosions. The $75 nightly room rate through AOPAs Priceline affiliation was a deal. But Lisa Marie is the flagship visitors can climb on board to get a glimpse of the extravagant fit-out Presley created for his plane. Presley lived there until his death after buying the house for US$102,000 in 1957. Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. But it wasn't just the. CC BY-SA 3.0 These planes had been sold in 1978 by Vernon but were brought back with the cooperation of the new owners in a joint venture to serve as a tourist attraction. Graceland Was Recreated for "Elvis"Here's How. Kings Blues Club, Handy Park, and Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe & Honky Tonk are local favorites. var months=new Array(13); Later Elvis Presleys coffin was exhumed and brought to Graceland by Vernon Presley, Elvis father. Though the plane has been on display since 1984, along with access to Presley's home the Graceland mansion the attraction now features a huge exhibition space featuring the star's many cars, costumes and other memorabilia. Visitors to Graceland . He passed away just two years after having acquired them, in 1977, at the age of just 42. But when there's a chance to own Elvis Presley's customized private jet, fans might be willing to overlook the rust that comes with sitting on a runway in New Mexico for 36 years. More info. Devotees gather at Graceland on the singers Jan. 8 birthday to light candles and leave mementos. ctxt_ad_cc = "000000"; So in 1957, Elvis bought Graceland for $102,000 from Ruth Brown Moore. The room remains the same, right down to the peacock stained glass . A view of Graceland's exterior in the film. The 2nd floor is private. Elvis Birthday Elvis Born January 8, 1935. Throughout the film, we see plenty of other defining locations. There's a mad theory, discovered by Noisey, that points towards Elvis making an appearance in the 1990 film (so, 13 years after he died). What Happened To Elvis Presley's Convair 880 Lisa Marie & Lockheed JetStar Hound Dog II? // End On the site is the house where he was born, as well as the family church, sculptures, and memorial areas. Mary Jenkins, the long-time cook at Graceland, said: "It really surprised me. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.