MEMPHIS ? More than 12 million Elvis Presley fans have visited Graceland to pay tribute to "The King of Rock and Roll" since the singer?s death in 1977. This summer, hundreds of thousands more will be able to take part in the Elvis experience as Mobile Graceland travels to 31 cities, appearing exclusively at 22 Harrah?s casinos and 21 FYE (for your entertainment) stores.
Marking the 25th anniversary of Elvis? passing, Mobile Graceland is a museum-quality exhibit featuring authentic Presley memorabilia, much of which has never been displayed outside Memphis that spans the superstar?s unparalleled career. The collection ? housed in an ultra-modern 53-foot-long, 18-wheel semi ? contains jewelry, clothing, instruments and other artifacts as unique as the man who owned them. The exhibit, which offers a glimpse of the extensive Elvis experience visitors enjoy at Graceland each year, also includes rarely seen archival photographs of the legendary recording artist and four listening and viewing stations where fans can enjoy samples of Presley?s work.
"We wanted to do something special for this anniversary year and share Graceland with the many fans from around the country who are unable to travel to Memphis," said Jack Soden, president of Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE). "Thanks to Harrah?s and FYE, we can take Elvis on tour, and it?s quite a show. Mobile Graceland is another great opportunity for us to continue our efforts in introducing Elvis to new audiences and educating them about the impact he had on the world of music and pop culture."
The traveling exhibit was unveiled in Memphis on Aug. 10 to help kick off Elvis Week, a 10-day celebration of the superstar?s life. Mobile Graceland is the result of a collaborative marketing effort between Elvis Presley Enterprises, Harrah?s, FYE and RCA Records/BMG. New York-based cYclops productions, inc. created Mobile Graceland and is overseeing the exhibit's design and installation.
Harrah?s is hosting Mobile Graceland at 22 of its 26 casinos across the country. Mobile Graceland also will stop at 21 of FYE?s more than 650 stores nationwide. The exhibit includes an FYE retail area where fans can pre-order the ELV1S 30 #1 HITS CD prior to its Sept. 24 release and receive a commemorative gift card available only to those who purchase the CD through Mobile Graceland. FYE?s retail area also offers other limited edition ELV1S merchandise, as well as a variety of music and movies from the Elvis catalog. Admission to the exhibit is free for all ages; however, at the Harrah?s casino locations only adults 21 and older can be admitted due to casino regulations.
For the Mobile Graceland schedule and other information, visit www.mobilegraceland.com.
"Harrah?s is thrilled to celebrate this anniversary year by collaborating with the Elvis Presley estate, BMG/RCA and FYE," said Phil Satre, Harrah?s chairman and chief executive officer. "Since its founding, our company has provided an unparalleled entertainment product, and Mobile Graceland is part of our continuing commitment to create unique, memorable experiences for our customers."
"Harrah?s customers are Elvis fans," added Gary Loveman, Harrah?s president and chief operating officer. "For them to see the ring, hear the music, watch Elvis on stage again ? it doesn?t get more exciting than that."
Stunning super graphics greet Mobile Graceland visitors before they enter the exhibit, which houses more than a dozen authentic artifacts. First along the promenade of Presley memorabilia is a TCB ring (for "Taking Care of Business," Elvis? motto) encrusted with nearly 16 carats of diamonds. Other highlights of the collection include: a telegram Elvis sent to the Beatles, a record player Elvis kept in his bedroom at Graceland, a U.S. Army jacket Elvis gave to the future Priscilla Presley, a letter to Elvis from former President Richard M. Nixon, and Elvis? favorite guitar ? a 1956 Gibson J-200.
At the conclusion of the exhibit, fans enter FYE?s Elvis shopping area.
"FYE is the No. 1 mall-based retailer of music, movies and games product," said Mark Hogan, FYE?s vice president of marketing and advertising. "Elvis helped shape so much of today?s popular music that we expect fans of all ages to visit our Mobile Graceland store, stop at our stores and visit fye.com to purchase this historic new release and other Elvis favorites."
On Sept. 24, Mobile Graceland will be moved to New York?s Times Square, where BMG Entertainment and RCA Records will launch the release of the ELV1S 30 #1 HITS CD.
"Mobile Graceland is a natural extension of the marketing campaign behind the release of ELVIS 1," said Joe DiMuro, senior vice president of strategic marketing for RCA Records/BMG. "The overall design of the traveling museum will be a call out to the CD, and the enormous crowds who can purchase ELVIS 1 beginning Sept. 24 will undoubtedly propel the release to the top of the charts."
