This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2020
Only in America could a phenomenon like Elvis Presley capture the popular imagination, not only in life but decades after his death. His incredible story began when Elvis Aaron Presley was born to Vernon and Gladys Presley in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, on January 8, 1935. His twin brother, Jessie Garon was stillborn, leaving Elvis to grow up as an only child. He and his parents moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1948, and young Elvis Presley graduated from Humes High School there in 1953. Presley’s musical influences were the pop and country music of the time, the gospel music he heard in church and at the all-night gospel sings he frequently attended, and the black R&B songs he absorbed on historic Beale Street as a Memphis teenager.
In 1954, Presley began his singing career with the legendary Sun Records label in Memphis. In late 1955, his recording contract was sold to RCA Victor. By 1956, he was an international sensation. With a sound and style that uniquely combined his diverse musical influences and blurred and challenged the social and racial barriers of the time, Presley ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture.
Presley went on to star in 33 successful motion pictures, made history with his television appearances and specials, and gained great acclaim through his many, often record-breaking, live concert performances on tour and in Las Vegas. Globally, he has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards. Among his many achievements were 14 Grammy nominations (3 wins) from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences, the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award which he received at age 36, and his being named “One of the Ten Outstanding Young Men of the Nation for 1970” by the United States Jaycees. Without any of the special privileges, his celebrity status might have afforded him, Presley honorably served his country in the U.S. Army.
Presley’s talent, good looks, charisma, and good humor endeared him to millions, as did the humility and human kindness he demonstrated throughout his life. Known the world over by his first name, he is regarded as one of the most important figures of twentieth century popular culture. He died at his Memphis home, Graceland, on August 16, 1977. “The King” was 42.
Presented is a circa 1960-1970 Elvis Presley original studio recording from Graceland on 7-inch metal tape reel, from the belongings of his father, Vernon Presley. This was from his Graceland home and is entirely unique. The recordings are orginal recordings and some variations from the radio versions. The tape reel is stored in a ½ x 7¼ x 7¼-inch cardboard box printed in black and gold on white, with the legend “Scotch Professional Quality 7” Metal Reel An accessory the discriminating recording enthusiast Metal Reel RB – ¼ - 7M” manufactured by 3M. The tape reel is accompanied by a white 8½ x 11-inch paper track list of the 38 recordings on the reel under the name “Reel #1 Artist Elvis Tapes Project”. The tracks include “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard”, “Signs of the Zodiac”, “Almost”, “Swing Down Sweet Chariot”, “In My Dreams” (very noisy), “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, “Memories” (cassette change – tape drops out), “Charro”, “Inherit The Wind”, “This Is The Story”, “Stranger In My Own Home Town”, “A Little Bit of Green”, “And The Grass Won’t Pay No Mind”, “Suspicious Minds”, three versions of “I’m Leaving”, “Down In The Alley”, “Tomorrow Is A Long Time”, “Spring Fever”, “Beach Shack”, two versions of “Am I Ready”, an incomplete start/stop version of “In My Dreams”, “Wolf Call” (music only), “Wolf Call” (mixed and original), “Do The Clam”, “I’ve Lost You”, “The Next Step Is Love”, “Memphis Town”, “Ask Me”, “Never Ending”, “What Now, What Next, Where To”, “Finders Keepers” and “Wester Union”. The original tape reel is accompanied by a Compact Disc (CD) recording of the original tape as well as a 3M R120 Digital Audio Tape (DAT) recording dated “2/15/92”. This item comes with a December 3, 1991 Letter of Provenance from Hobert Burnette, indicating his purchase of the tapes from the late Vernon Presley’s estate in 1976.