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"Graceland Presents ELVIS: The Exhibition", which opened last
week, features more than 300 artifacts never before displayed
outside of his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee.
The display looks at his early days as a recording artist, his
stint in the U.S. army, his films and shows.
The singer began a Las Vegas performance residency in 1969 that
went on to break box office attendance for the city.
"Elvis is synonymous with the city of Las Vegas, and now he is
back on the ground," Graceland's director of communications
Kevin Kern told Reuters in Los Angeles.
Presley's widow, Priscilla, and daughter Lisa Marie cut the
ribbon at the exhibition's opening at the Westgate Las Vegas
Resort and Casino, previously known as the International Hotel,
where the singer performed between 1969 and 1976.
"This is where his home was, he loved coming here," Priscilla
said. "He was very fond of Vegas and I think that, if not
touring, still coming to Vegas (is) what he loved best."
Among the items displayed is a jewel-studded belt, with the word
"Elvis" spelled out in diamonds, that he was given by the hotel.
"Elvis broke all box office records in Las Vegas in terms of
attendance and really set the stage for a revolution for live
entertainment in Las Vegas," Kern said.
The "Aloha from Hawaii" cape that Elvis wore on stage in Las
Vegas, a replica of the cape he wore at a special show in Hawaii
in 1973, is also on display. The white cape is adorned with an
eagle and stars.
(Reporting By Reuters Television; Writing by Marie-Louise
Gumuchian; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
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