Part 2

The Hall of Gold, located in the Trophy Room just behind the Graceland mansion, contains the many gold records, awards, and honors that Elvis received as a performing artist. When the mansion was opened to the public in 1982, these records and awards were moved into cases lining the 80-foot hallway to create the illusion of a “Hall of Gold.” At the entrance to the hallway sits a huge color television and stereo console that was given in 1960 by RCA as a reward for selling over 50 million records. The gold and platinum records on display are those that Elvis received during his lifetime. The sheer number of them makes for an impressive sight and immediately conveys the magnitude of Elvis’ recording career.

Countries from all over the world honored Elvis with awards, though he performed outside the United States only briefly when he appeared in three Canadian cities in 1957. A huge trophy from RCA’s division in South Africa, featuring a gold record on top and four golden gazelles leaping from the base, celebrates Elvis’ many millionselling records in that country from 1956 to 1960. Other trophies from Japan, Norway, Australia, Germany, Sweden, France, and Belgium acknowledge his international popularity and influence.

The hall also contains honors from many music magazines. New Musical Express honored Elvis with a special crystal and gold trophy for repeatedly being named Top World Singer and Top World Entertainer. There were also awards from Billboard and Cash Box, and Photoplay gave him a gold medal to acknowledge his popularity as an actor.

While the 160 gold and platinum records in the Hall of Gold make an outstanding visual impact, most of them were the originals presented during Elvis’ lifetime, so the Hall does not represent the most up-to-date tallies of his gold and platinum record status. The new display of gold and platinum records in the old racquetball court is more accurate accounting of his record sales status.

The Jungle Room

The Jungle Room is an add-on built in the mid-1960’s . It started as a screening in porch. Then was closed in as a den, with paneled walls and carpeted floor and ceiling. They say Elvis spent 30 minutes picking out the furniture for the Jungle Room. The wood and fur armchairs reminded Elvis of Hawaii. A mirror has an exotic feathered frame. The wooden bar is carved in animal and totem figures. Elvis had an indoor waterfall built out of stone. Because of the Jungle Room’s great acoustics, Elvis used it as a rehearsal room as well for recordings.

Other Sightnings In Graceland