(**Correction: In the beginning of this video the date is wrong, it should be "January 8, 1978", not 1977.** )
The photos in this video were taken on what would have been Elvis Presley's 43rd birthday January 8, 1978. They include photos taken at Graceland, at Vernon Presley's house around the corner on Dolan Dr, and at the Mid South Coliseum where there were some Elvis items on display. The photos were taken by the same lady that you see standing at the front gates in one of the photos. She documented every photo with a detailed description and taped them into a well organized scrap book which only a few people ever got to see all these decades. There is a photo of Vernon's house on Dolan Drive that specifically mentions his girlfriend Sandy Miller standing in the window but it's difficult to see her.
This was a very dark, uncertain and heavy time at Graceland, and was especially so on this particular day as it was the first birthday for Elvis since he'd passed away and obviously the first one without him there. Keep in mind that the date 'August 16th' had never been linked to Elvis or to his fans in any way prior to his death, it was always and only his birthday on January 8th which was the 'date' his fans celebrated annually, so for those at Graceland on this day it was truly heartbreaking, for Elvis's family, friends and insiders it was beyond sad and dark, one can't even imagine how they must've felt on this very day, a day that used to always be a joyous celebratory time around Graceland but never would be again. Vernon and his girlfriend Sandy Miller were still living around the corner on Dolan Drive, and Vernon was still spending most days at his office behind Graceland. Elvis's grandmother "Dodger" and aunt Delta were still living in Graceland, as was Charlie Hodge. Poor Vernon was in ill health and carrying the weight of all that had recently happened including the plot to steal Elvis's body, which ended up leading to the city of Memphis granting permission for Elvis, his mother, and his family to be buried at Graceland. Elvis and his mother Gladys were moved to their final resting places at Graceland in October of 1977, just 2.5 months before these photos were taken.

   • Vintage Photos of Graceland & Elvis P...   - More vintage photos of Graceland & Elvis's bus.