Elvis' 80th birthday will be celebrated at Graceland with a host of Elvis fans and special guests, including Priscilla Presley.
Two of Elvis' studio musicians, David Briggs and Norbert Putnam, will help kick off the birthday celebration with the Official Graceland Insiders Reception on Wednesday, January 7. Priscilla Presley will join fans on the north lawn of Graceland on January 8 with the Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony. Putnam and Briggs will speak at Conversations on Elvis, along with karate champ and Elvis' friend Bill "Superfoot" Wallace and Elvis biographer Peter Guralnick. Dixie Locke Emmons, who dated Elvis as his career was taking off, will speak at the Fan Club Presidents' Event on Friday, January 9, along with two of Elvis' childhood friends from Tupelo, Sam Bell and Guy Harris.
Below you will find a list of special guests and hosts for Elvis Week 2014. Learn more about purchasing tickets and see a schedule of events.
SPECIAL GUEST APPEARANCE
Priscilla Presley
Elvis Birthday Proclamation Ceremony
Former wife to Elvis, Priscilla Presley, helped open Graceland to Elvis fans in 1982 and continues to venture into new business opportunities. Her career as an actress includes such titles as the hit television show "Dallas," a starring role in the "Naked Gun" series, and a contestant on "Dancing with the Stars." She continues her entrepreneurial spirit with "The Priscilla Presley Collection" which features decorative linens, furniture, art and more.
Host
DJ Argo
Conversations on Elvis
Fan Club Presidents’ Event
DJ for Elvis Dance Party
The year 2015 will mark Argo's 10th anniversary on Elvis Radio, broadcasting live from Graceland on Sirius XM. He’s been an Elvis fan as long as he can remember and loves meeting people from all around the world who visit Graceland. In addition to his involvement in various Elvis related events, Argo produces special events with individuals and municipalities, like fireworks displays and concerts. When you’re at Graceland, stop by the studio and say “hi." Argo will probably have you pick your favorite Elvis song and shout out to the world on Elvis Radio.
Special Appearances
Sam Bell
Fan Club Presidents' Event
Tupelo native Sam Bell was a childhood friend of Elvis. Growing up in Tupelo, Sam and Elvis played together as young kids do - everything from baseball to going to the movie theater.
David Briggs
Official Graceland Insiders Event
Conversations on Elvis
David Briggs was a member of Elvis' studio and touring band. The keyboard player, producer, arranger and studio owner played on Elvis' "How Great Thou Art" and toured with Elvis through February 1977. David has also worked with Nancy Sinatra, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Dean Martin and more.
Dixie Locke Emmons
Fan Club Presidents' Event
Dixie Locke Emmons knew Elvis Presley before he was the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Dixie met Elvis in Memphis at church, and the pair dated as Elvis' career took off.
Peter Guralnick
Conversations on Elvis
Music critic and American pop music historian Peter Guralnick is the author of the prize-winning, two-volume Elvis biographies "Last Train to Memphis and "Careless Love." Guralnick has penned many books and scripts about music and musicians, including an acclaimed trilogy on American roots music and biographies of Robert Johnson and Sam Cooke. He's currently writing a biography of Sam Phillips.
Guy Harris
Fan Club Presidents' Event
Guy Harris grew up with a young Elvis Presley in Tupelo and they became lifelong friends. As young boys, they would play together and go swimming in Tupelo. Guy's mother and Gladys were best friends.
Norbert Putnam
Official Graceland Insiders Event
Conversations on Elvis
Norbert Putnam, known as "Putt" by Elvis, recorded as a session bassist with Elvis on over 100 tracks. Norbert has also recorded with artists such as Joan Baez, Jimmy Buffett, Dan Fogelberg and J.J. Cale.
Bill "Superfoot" Wallace
Conversations on Elvis
Karate champ Bill "Superfoot" Wallace was a friend of Elvis'. After Bill suffered what many thought would be a career-ending injury in 1973, Elvis moved him into Graceland and hired a renowned acupuncturist from Los Angeles to see that Bill recovered. He did, and went on to turn professional a year later and capture the PKA middleweight karate championship. Since his retirement in 1980, Bill has continued to be one of martial arts' most popular figures, and he's written three books and released a series of karate videos.