Hah... if you haven't already - head on over to the NYT's for the new Tierney Lab Blog. He has an interesting post today about why people find Graceland so appealing.
I went to Memphis this past weekend seeking a scientific understanding of Graceland. I was there for a meeting of social psychologists, and I wanted to drag a few a few of them out to Elvis Presley's home so they could explain its appeal.
Fortunately, I didn't have to. A team of researchers already had data from Graceland to present at the meeting.
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I can only wish that Elvis Presley fans were a micro-cosm of our total population.
Judging by the picture you use on this page the psychologists will be interviewing grotesque impersonators instead of the thousands of astute and discerning music lovers who visit Graceland.
The grand piano in the Mansion, the beautiful grounds and magnificent oak trees, are rarely mentioned by reporters :-)
Most people visit Graceland because Elvis Presley's extraordinary beautiful voice enrinched their lives.
It's just like the thousands who flock to Vienna to see the magnificent statue of Ludwig Van Beethoven who gave the world such a wealth of wonderful music.
Besides, Memphis is a beautiful city on the banks of the great Mississippi river, and not too far from Tupelo Mississippi where Elvis was born. Visitors can see his birthplace and the beautiful "Elvis at 13" life-sized bronze statue, by gifted sculptor, Michiel Van der Sommen.
I think comparing Elvis to Beethoven is a horribly misjudged comparison.
Steve, my 46 year old daughter is a classical pianist,and her brother a fine musician also, they have been playing Beethoven and company since they were children. They love Elvis's music too. Their 3 children each are learning all about the great composers, and they love Elvis's majestic voice too.
I think you have made a horrible mistake in posting such a comment.
Enjoyment is not the same as impact or importance.
Elvis simply popularized a form of music that had existed - whereas Beethoven substantially and irreversibly changed the musical landscape.
Beethoven got deaf and if anything became more a genius while Elvis got fat and died on the toilet.
Elvis had a massive impact on the world of popular music...even Beethoven acknowledged popular music by using an Irish air for his glorious Seventh symphony. Million of people think popular music is important and it obviously is.
What does it matter if Elvis got fat? Pavarotti is very fat! People die in very strange places..is it their fault???
In August this year the world's media will be looking to Memphis because of the impact Elvis had on the world.
You may enjoy the Beethoven painting on the link?