MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Elvis Presley's Graceland® has announced the acquisition of one of the most significant pieces of Elvis’ musical history, which will be returned to Graceland 60 years after it was first purchased by Elvis for the home in 1957 – a white, baby grand piano with gold accents and a custom-made, gold, metal bench designed by Elvis with a white, leather cushion. For the first time ever, the public will be able to see this legendary Knabe (/näb/) branded piano on display in its Graceland home. The music room at Graceland will be restored to its original 1960s-era appearance including the white piano, and will be unveiled on December 16, 2017. Other items returning to the famous music room include original white and blue draperies, and a gold couch that was part of the room’s décor in 1964.
The white piano is the most significant piece of original furnishings to come home to Graceland since the Mansion opened for tours in 1982.
Prior to Elvis purchasing and refurbishing the 1912 instrument, it was the house piano at Memphis' legendary Ellis Auditorium from the early 1930s through 1957 which hosted the greatest local and national touring musical acts of the period, including W. C. Handy, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and many others. This was the very piano played by his favorite gospel and blues performers in shows that Elvis attended as a boy, during which, as an enthralled member of the audience, he dreamed of his own future stardom. Coincidentally, Ellis Auditorium’s North Hall (then called Memphis Auditorium) was the venue for Elvis’ first sold-out shows on Sunday, February 6, 1955.
As part of Graceland's first-ever holiday concert weekend on December 15 and 16 at the Soundstage in the new Elvis Presley's Memphis entertainment and exhibition complex, guests will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see this legendary artifact up close and to capture the moment by having their photo taken with the piano before it is placed on display in Graceland’s restored music room. This opportunity will be available on the night of December 15 for holiday concert weekend VIP package ticketholders only.
In the spring of 1957, then 22-year-old Elvis Presley purchased Graceland Mansion in Memphis, Tennessee, just a year after he shot to super-stardom and worldwide fame. While he could have afforded any piano on the planet for his new home, when Elvis heard this sentimentally-valuable piano was for sale, he jumped at the chance to own it. On May 28, 1957, Elvis purchased the piano built by Wm. Knabe & Co. of Gallatin, Tennessee, (serial number 70545) from Jack Marshall Pianos-Organs in Memphis for $818.85. Elvis refurbished the piano in white and placed it in the music room at Graceland where it remained until 1968. During those years, the piano was the musical focal point of many hours spent rehearsing and entertaining guests and was played constantly by Elvis as well as visiting celebrities. Elvis enjoyed playing and singing alone in private moments, but especially enjoyed gathering family and friends in the music room as they ran through a broad repertoire of favorite songs – particularly gospel and R&B.
The original Knabe piano was placed in storage in 1968 and was sold in 1976 to Ted Sturges, owner of the Sturges Recording Studio in Memphis where it was used in recording over 50 albums by various artists including Jerry Lee Lewis, who reportedly played the piano with Elvis when visiting Graceland.
From there it changed hands several times and was last refurbished by the C.B. Coltharp Piano Service who maintained it at Graceland and referenced photos and record jacket snapshots to restore the piano to its authentic, original 1957 appearance.
Pictures of Elvis with this piano were featured in the first issue of Mid-South Magazine in 1965 giving readers a rare look inside Graceland.
A SPECIAL HOLIDAY WEEKEND OF LIVE CONCERTS AT GRACELAND DECEMBER 15 - 16, 2017
The Knabe, white piano and the newly renovated music room will be unveiled on December 16 as fans celebrate the holiday season with a very special weekend at Graceland featuring three festive live concerts at the Graceland Soundstage at Graceland’s new Elvis Presley’s Memphis entertainment complex. These are the very first holiday concerts ever to take place in the new complex, which opened in March of 2017. Friday night’s concert features a live orchestra with Elvis on the big screen presenting Elvis’ biggest Christmas hits. On Saturday, it’s two themed concerts on one night: An Elvis Gospel Christmas show featuring Terry Blackwood of The Imperials and an Elvis star-studded Rock ‘n’ Roll show starring members of Elvis' legendary, original TCB Band, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famer James Burton (guitar), Ronnie Tutt (drums), and Glen Hardin (piano keyboards). Ticket packages and The Guest House at Graceland weekend packages are available at Graceland.com/holiday. VIP package ticketholders will have their photo taken with the Knabe baby grand piano at the Elvis Presley’s Memphis complex as part of the weekend festivities on December 15.
About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's new entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. In 2015, Graceland was named the world’s “Best Musical Attraction” and “Best Historic Southern Attraction” in the USA Today 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards and in 2013, voted the #1 “Iconic American Attraction” in the same poll. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com
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