Since the death of Elvis Presley millions of fans from across the world have travelled to Memphis & Graceland. Graceland has had over 16 million Visitors since it opened it's front door in the early 1980's. Elvis has brought much needed revenue to Memphis providing jobs to local people within the hotels, Airport, Eateries, Shops, Clubs, Cafe's, Zoo, ...
Elvis' undeniable success and contribution to Memphis Music makes this campaign a worthwhile tribute to honour Memphis' most famous resident. Liverpool renamed their Airport John Lennon airport many years ago. Memphis should honour it's most famous Son by renaming their Airport 'ELVIS PRESLEY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT'.
I just think it's unreasonable to give Elvis Presley Enterprises any free publicity at the tax-payers expense. Afterall "Elvis Presley is a registered trademark of...blah blah blah." I'd be surprised if they didn't try to charge the airport a licensing free for doing so. There are plenty of other equally worthy Memphians as well that would be deserving.
I think it would be a verynice gesture. There are lots of airports named after famous local people. Liverpool has John Lennon, Belfast has George Best and there's a John Wayne airport in California somewhere, I think it's where he lived. I think Elvis's cultural and musical achievements not to mention his continuing economic effect on his home town are a good enough reason to bestow a similar honour on him.
Jamiecoyne, you've got to be gidding me. Memphis has next to nothing to offer, except a BBQ festival, Memphis in May, Beale Street filled with drunk people and the most ignorant stupid local politicians who tend to drive away any interesting business. And if we look at the other famous Memphians, I would say Elvis sticks out. I'd say that most tourist that go to Memphis go there because of Elvis.
Ever been to Memphis? I have, many times. It can use whatever boost it can get. On the other hand, if I were famous I don't know if I'd want my name associated with anything as run down and dilapidated as Memphis. But alas, Elvis and Memphis are inseparable. And whenever you hear Memphis mentioned in a song, it always sounds like a magical, wonderful place, which it is! So yeah, name the thing Elvis Presley International Airport. Why not? It flat out makes sense.
Though Elvis was not born in Memphis, he is the most known Memphian there is. Possibly he is the most well known person of our age. I have traveled the world a lot and found out that next to Coca Cola everybody knows who Elvis is, even in small remote hamlets in third world countries! His influence on modern music and culture is incomparable, though some people may not like it.
The fact that Memphis has no glamour and the airport is definitely not one of the best should not be a reason not to rename it. It is the gesture that counts. Let Memphis do something back for the Golden Boy, the King and the Top Notch Man who attracts how many percent (anyone has an idea?) of the income of the locals and tax. We don't have to ask what Elvis did (and as a matter of speech still does) for Memphis, it is time to ask what Memphis can do for Elvis.
Voted ! DEFINITELY deserves this - the world relates Memphis ONLY to Elvis and Memphis has tourists ONLY due to Elvis. I've been to Memphis 3 times from India, ONLY to visit Graceland and NOTHING else.
This should've happened years ago - without a petition. Any city in the world would kill to have had Elvis live in their metropolis. And a petition is needed to consider the idea?? They should rename the city, not just the airport! I, and millions of people around the globe, would probably not have heard of Memphis or flown across the waters to Memphis if it hadn't been for Elvis Presley. To me, the city it is spelt E- l- v- i- s.
i agree it should have been done years ago.
What in the world do the Presedential candidates have to do with this topic that you would mention them twice in one post? But coming from JM, I should not be surprised. As for the airport, a nice move but also you could make a case for Sam Phillips, whom without, no Sun records, Elvis, Cash, etc. In any case if I never see Memphis again it would not bother me. The place is awful. I wish they could airlift Graceland out of there!
Voted. Elvis well deserves this honour.
Elvis, put Memphis, on the Map, and he deserves the honor.
Folks, have already tried this years ago, as many others have. The airport authority said no because there are too many other famous people from Memphis, such as Johnny Cash, BB King, Justin Timberlake, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker. Forget the politicians. Did you know that the main terminal at the airport is named after Danny Thomas ? St. Jude's Children's Hospital is well respected in Memphis. You all have great points about Elvis being the one that brings in the most money to Memphis. I recommend the petition be changed to naming the concourse Elvis used for the Lisa Marie jetplane to be named Elvis Presley Memorial Concourse. That would have a chance of approval.
just a question, do they actually want to rename the airport?
Andy, no. not really, that's why the airport has not been renamed lol The petition was started by a fan in the UK.
Thanks Hillbilly - makes this pretty pointless then.
Yet to meet anyone from India who has flown all the way to Memphis to see Johnny Cash, BB King, Justin Timberlake, Howlin' Wolf, John Lee Hooker or anyone else. Or to see their homes. I know a lot of people who have travelled all the way (20 hour flight) from India to Memphis ONLY to see Graceland - and MORE than once. This would apply to many other far-a-way countries and not just to India alone.
Right, we all know it's still Elvis that brings in the dough :) However, for years and years requests for the renaming
have gone to the airport authority and City Council and EPE and the residents of Memphis and every time rejected,
EXCEPT for the main terminal, which is named after Danny Thomas. Again, I recommend the petition be changed to renaming the concourse he used for the Lisa Marie jet--the Elvis Presley Memorial Concourse.
Agreed with freedom 101. Yes there are other famous people FROM Memphis, but there is also at least one famous man LINKED to Memphis :Martin Luther King who did so much for the rights of the black people.He was murdered in Memphis on april 4th 1968 . Why not use his last name King and couple it with Elvis Presley and rename the airport King Elvis or King Presley Airport, paying tribute to both man at the same time . Just a thought. Always El.
Benny that wont work because people would not associate the King with MLK, they will assume we are calling Elvis king and thus Elvis King or King Elvis (especially) just doesnt sound right. Its like saying Elvis the King or somethng, at least thats how I read it. I like your idea but it would have to be named after both or the airport named for one and the main terminal for the other.
Steve, guess you are right, doesn't sound very well. As I wrote, just an idea inspired by the fact we all call our man The King. Always El.
Considering what this man gave to his home town it is a disgrace that they don´t honour him properly. They wouldn´t even name the Mid South Coloseum after him. Memphis wouldn´t be much of an attraction without Elvis Aaron Presley and Graceland. Poor and dirty, really. It¨s a shame!
Since Elvis died 35 years ago, the politicians that "have been able to live & benefit from Elvis when he was alive" are not likely to be in politics today.
With all the worlds probelsm, I dont think naming an airport after an entertainer is high on the list of the President's agenda. Super fan Clinton was President for 8 yrs in a more peaceful time and didnt even mention it did he? It is not the Presidents duty anyway. It is up to the locals. So be it. This is not important in the large scheme of thing. A nice thing, but not important.
This would be a great contribution to the city of Elvis and also the legacy of singer that help influence many singers present and future.