Whats the biggest challenge EPE faces in maintaining Elvis image?
There’s the broad-based challenge of demonstrating relevance, but that seems to be taking care of itself nicely. Fifty-three percent of all visitors to Graceland are 35 years old or younger. That’s a great statistic. But there are irritating challenges, like the lingering overweight caricature of Elvis and the frustration we feel when we hear someone repeat the old – and wrong – statement that Elvis was prejudiced and that he ripped off black music. Right from the beginning, Elvis continually explained that all of his early influences and heroes were black musicians and artists. He never took credit for [creating] rock’n’roll. He said it was R&B with a new name, and he was just doing it his way. As for being prejudiced, his friends – including many black friends – would tell you that just wasn’t true. If Elvis were alive, he would want to set that straight most of all. What is the most intriguing part of your job? Being part of EPE and the responsibility of preserving the legacy of Elv
