Memphis Music

This is the home of Rock and Roll and the Blues.

Elvis and BB King are legends not just here but all over the world and they are celebrated with some force - rightly so.

BB Kings bar isn't actually owned by BB King but he does perform here a few times each year - the next time is December 10th 2008 - should I just stay here?

Sights of Memphis

This City is really beautiful if you know where to look - I don't,so I enlisted the help of Backbeat Tours.We had a walking tour of the place which lasted about an hour and a half.Without this tour,I wouldn't have seen half of what I came here for.

This Pyramid isn't used anymore,but it used to be used for concerts,basketball games and from what I remember,Elvis celebrations in the 90's.It alledgedly,is the 3rd largest Pyramid in the world - some boast!

Memphis Grizzlies v New York Knicks

The American people love their sports.

Along with the drawn out games full of stoppages for TV and Nacho with Cheese breaks,they just love bigging up the whole experience.

The Fedex Forum in Memphis was barely half full on Wednesday night but the atmosphere was incredible.

I think I'll do something a little quieter today!

Farewell to Graceland

My last time at Graceland for this trip anyway.

Today I spent some quiet time with the Presley's at 730am.There was no one there and it was a little more emotional.Much better than the sound of cameras going off.

I bought this jacket from the famous Lansky's store last night - Elvis wore the same one in Speedway (but we all know who looks better wearing it).There's pretty much no likelyhood of me meeting Nancy Sinatra either now I've bought it.

This last shot was taken of me later in the day after my last tour of the house and grounds.

From the other picture,you can guess what I'm doing most evenings as well!

And Whilst I'm Here.....

You gotta see Blues Bands playing whilst in Memphis......Beale Street is a must....

Here's just two of the (hopefully) many places I'll be visiting while I'm here...!

I am here to pay respects as well

Am here to honour the memory of Elvis Presley as well.

My first visit to The Meditation Garden was very very special.

Graceland opens up the grounds early in the morning as well and you are allowed to walk up to the Meditation Garden.I will do this in the morning when hopefully there will be less people about.

Here at last

Graceland. A dream is realised.This is my first trip of the week to this place.I will be back tomorrow when I can take it all in properly.

Although the mansion itself is pretty small,you get the sense of it's history and homeliness.

No wonder Elvis loved it.

I have been in to the souvenir shops at Graceland - you can buy all sorts of crap in them! I'll be back tomorrow to get some !

To be fair there's also a lot of nice things in there - some with my name on!

My suitcase is going to be twice as heavy for the return trip - and I haven't even had a tour of Downtown Memphis yet or even New York.

Something tells me that I'm going to fall foul of an excess baggage charge!