Brief
Elvis’s Graceland remains a pilgrimage site for fans, artists say
Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and others reflect on Graceland’s unique place in music history.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Elvis Presley’s Graceland continues to attract musicians and fans, with Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen and the Dead Milkmen recalling personal visits, Independent reports.
What happened
Elvis bought the Classical‑revival mansion on about 14 acres in 1957 and lived there with his family until his death in 1977. The house opened to tours in 1982, allowing the public to walk past his grave and that of his parents, grandmother and daughter.
What the reports add
According to Independent, Paul Simon referenced Graceland in a 1986 Grammy‑winning album, while the Dead Milkmen wrote a less reverent 1987 song about the site. Bruce Springsteen recounted jumping the wall in the 1970s hoping to meet Elvis, though the singer was not home.
What was said
Simon’s lyric “I’ve reason to believe we all will be received in Graceland” is quoted by Independent. Springsteen’s anecdote about the wall jump is also attributed to the outlet.
How it came about
Graceland’s public accessibility from its opening on Highway 51 South (now Elvis Presley Boulevard) and its 2006 designation as a National Historic Landmark have cemented its status as a cultural pilgrimage, Independent notes.
Key facts
- Elvis bought Graceland in 1957 and lived there until his death in 1977. (independent.co.uk)
- Graceland opened to public tours in 1982. (independent.co.uk)
- Paul Simon referenced Graceland on a 1986 Grammy‑winning album. (independent.co.uk)
- Bruce Springsteen tried to jump Graceland’s wall in the 1970s. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “The enduring popularity of Elvis Presley's Graceland is a monument to his legacy”
