A unique exhibition is uniting the world's biggest music icons! Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. in Memphis, along with The Beatles Story in Liverpool, England, have announced a transatlantic partnership to develop an exclusive, jointly curated exhibition that will explore how The Fab Four were influenced by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
'Elvis and Us' represents the first time the two cornerstones of 20th century popular culture have come together since that fateful meeting in 1965 at Elvis’ Bel Air home. The exhibition will include rare artifacts from both The Beatles Story and the Graceland archives, many of which have never before been displayed publicly.
'Elvis and Us' will open to the public on September 28, 2011, at The Beatles Story in Liverpool, England. It will be a multimedia, interactive experience filled with music, video and artifacts. The exhibition will allow visitors to experience the power of Elvis and The Beatles along with their explosive impact on music and popular culture. From hit albums to movies, books, and plays, both Elvis and The Beatles are celebrated around the world today. Both even have Cirque du Soleil® shows in Las Vegas: Viva ELVIS™ at ARIA Resort and Casino and The Beatles’™ LOVE™ at The Mirage.
One of the key elements explored in the 'Elvis and Us' exhibition will be the evening Elvis and The Beatles met in person on August 27, 1965, at Elvis' home in Bel Air, California. The white Fender bass guitar played by both the king and the Fab Four at that meeting will be on display. It's a piece of pop culture history that has never been publicly exhibited before!
Other artifacts being brought to the UK for the first time include the shirt worn by Elvis in the "Jailhouse Rock" movie, telegrams from Colonel Parker and Elvis to Ed Sullivan, rare video footage from the earliest days of Elvis' career, a ticket to the ‘68 Comeback special, and the pool table played on by Elvis and The Beatles.
FANTASTIC! This is something amazing. I'm speechless...
I have never been a fan of The Beatles and I do not think that Elvis really liked them either. I would prefer that Elvis were not associated with them whatsoever. However, that is my opinion and I'm sure many would disagree.
I'm not a real fan of The Fab Four but I like a (restricted) number of their songs. But just like Brian I find associating them with Our Man out of the question . Always El.
I dont have a problem with this at all. They were the 2 biggest music acts of all time and both changed the world in different ways for their time. Since Elvis was first he did pave the way for all to follow but I think overall their body of work is more consistent than Elvis if you look at the total output. Thier albums were of very high quality with the exception of 1 or 2. He had to suffer many years with too many bad songs by bad songwriters . Of course he was the better singer, but musically The Beatles work is more accepted musically in step with the times. Come at me fans, but I think thats the way most critics view these giants. I get upset when people put MJ in both their category and believe me many people do.
I want them to bring the exhibition to London!!! I don't care about The Beatles....I just want to be able to see the Elvis artefats.
Probably six or so years ago I visited what was supposed to be a permanent exhibition in Liverpool (also on Albert Dock) called Fingerprints of Elvis. There were many Elvis artefacts on display including one of his cadillacs and the tandem bicycle he was seen riding with Joe from That's the Way It Is. Also jewellery, a motorcycle or two, venue tickets and costumes. Sadly it disappeared very quickly without explanation, but I was so fortunate to see it while it lasted. (Also before exiting there was a life size model of his grave from Graceland, which was both moving and spooky).
Elvis & The Beatles together can't wait.I will deffinately attend.Love Liverpool anyway.Don't understand all the negativaty.
Hello Brian, I fully respect your point of view, but I think this is a wonderful idea. You are right that in the 60's, it seems that Elvis really didn’t care much about the Fab four. Even his remark "I like a lot of the new groups like the Beatles and the "Biirds" whoever...", in the '68 seem forced. By then Rock was young, and the Beatles had a very provocative style that putted The King in danger. But, and that astonished me, was that a year later he was returning live and included in his line up tow Beatles tunes Yesterday/Hey Jude, incidentally the weaker part of his show by far...And it goes on until Something in the Aloha. I don't doubt that if Elvis had not died in 77, during the 80's he would have recorded with Paul or George, this one probably the Beatle he liked the best and felt he was more closed. Let’s just see the way that all the surviving Beatles talk about Elvis, nowadays…And, at least, here in Portugal, our Fan Club has a lot of members that dig Beatles music, like me. TCB
I also don't understand the negativity here. It is a matter of record that The Beatles were huge Elvis fans in the 50's and both John Lennon and Paul McCartney were hugely influenced by his music. The met and jammed and it is just a shame that the tapes were not rolling. Whether you like them or not, The Beatles were as influential on artists that followed them as Elvis was to those that followed him. I, for one will make every effort to see this exhibition. TCB always!!!!!
i don't think people are being negative but are just pointing out that shock horror we don't all like the beatles and would have no interest in their part of the exhibition and therefore would just prefer an Elvis only exhibition. It's not like Elvis needs anybody else tagging along to stage one.
Andy Maybe you and other Beatles hating Elvis fans would have no interest in this exhibit but it is there for the public not just Elvis or Beatles fans. By having this type of display & theme it is sure to attract more attention than just having one or the other. Lighten up man.
Steve, i don't actively walk round sounding off about how i hate the beatles. I really pay them no attention at all. Just seems a little strange that if you don't like something on here people have a go at you for being negative ( i know you have gone through this ). Sure, i agree that for the general public it may be quite interesting to see both artists in one exhibit. My opinion here is just based on me being an Elvis fan that's all and it's interest to me which as it includes beatles artefacts is not much at all. If others enjoy then great.
Ok Andy, I see. I feel like anything promoting Elvis these days in a positive way (like no jumpsuit tribute artists) is a damn good thing. So I say bring it on and lets have a look.
Sorry Steve, i didn't understand your last post..........
Steve, i've read it again and i understand. Well i wont disagree with you. This obviously isn't a bad thing and i didn't mean to imply that it was, it's good that people get to see things like this and it's a damn site more positive than a lot of what goes on in the Elvis world. Just wanted to say i'd prefer it just to be Elvis, didn't want to come accross as a Beatle hater ( although i don't like them )...........
I am seriously puzzled how people can say they are music lovers, Rock n Roll fans, Elvis fans even ! then display such a hate for one of the greatest music acts ever !A group who produced some of the finest examples of love, Rock n Roll psycadillic even folk songs ever to be produced ! ????
For those here that have said they think Elvis didnt really likeThe Beatles ... can you explain why Elvis then recorded and frequently sang Beatles songs ?? " Yesterday, Somethng, Lady Madonna, Hey Jude". How on earth can anyone say they like what Elvis did and his style of music and yet turn their backs on The Beatles is well beyond me !
This exhibition looks like it could be just amazing for "music" lovers not just "Elvis fans" or Beatles fans". I really think that Elvis fans should realize that Elvis appreciated all kinds of music and not just "Rock n Roll ! if only this exhibition contained a long lost tape of Elvis and the beatles jamming together in 1965 !!! ; )
Well Rob for me personally it's down to the music. Beatles are not in any way a rock n roll band and are as far away as possible you can get to what rock n roll is. Folk, Psycadellic, 60's pop yes but in no way a rock band of any sort. To me Elvis and the beatles are poles apart musically. Just look at the recent FTD Guitar Man. Elvis cutting non soundtrack material in 66/67 and what does he do. Look to the biggest band of the day for inspiration or go and cut what he loved and was best at which was rock, blues and a little country. The exact opposite of what the beatles were doing. sorry but i don't agree with any of your argument, i agree with someone on here earlier who thought that maybe Elvis didn't really like the beatles. It's not hatred for the beatles for me it's purely and simply that the music they produced means nothing to me and doesn't excite me. I'm not alone in that, it's just the music press that ram down our throats how superior they were that makes it sound like everybody loves them. Not so.
For many people Elvis and the Beatles are the greatest names in music. Actually I think they do so whether they like/appreciate Elvis or the Beatles or not. So in that sense this exhibition is sort of an answer to that. The Beatles got inspired by the King. I also doubt whether Elvis liked the Beatles (earlier remark on that from the Come Back show seems to indicate that). However I think that is not the issue here, definitely not for the general public.
I think the plus in this for Elvis is that it may help people who do not take him seriously to think about him more carefully, if the Beatles were inspired by him. Unfortunately people do not always respect Elvis, through woeful ignorance, while almost all music fans respect the Beatles. So if the Beatles liked Elvis, maybe the ignorant will realise there is something there also worth listening to!!! It's also interesting to speculate on where the initiative for this link-up came from. I would hope it's a sign that whoever is now responsible for promoting Elvis is aware that they have to get his name out there, and to do something to boost his image.