When I think of iconic homes that exemplify American history and culture the first three that come instantly to mind are George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Abraham Lincoln’s Springfield home, and Elvis Presley’s beloved Graceland in Memphis. Each place touches a part of the life of this nation and encompasses the vast changes shaped by the man who resided in them. From the creative sparks that started a nation, held it together in the most trying times, or unleashed a new version of America through music it is impossible to think of our lives without these men. The touchstone of their homes as we visit and walk through them is to appreciate the men as we step away from the fast-paced world and walk for a while in their shoes. In the place where they felt most sure-footed and secure.
There were rumors aplenty over the past weeks about the fate of Graceland (which I note was listed as the most popular museum in America in 2023.) following what was reported as truly bad financial decision-making by Lisa Marie Presley. Elvis’ only child was a trainwreck of continually making seriously bad choices. From Scientology to Michael Jackson to drugs to carefree spending there was no end to what she would create as the next pitfall in her life. Whatever the complicated backstory is to the threat to auction Graceland today (Thursday, May 23, 2024) I can write with certainty that the company looking to auction off Graceland has abandoned its plans. That news from Naussany Investments & Private Lending LLC follows a Tennessee judge blocking the move to auction the home earlier this week. While Lisa Marie made some huge mistakes in judgment over her lifetime I cannot fathom she would endanger her father’s home in the way the plotters of this scheme claim.
The shady and shifty business was clearly looking to make some fast cash. At the heart of their claim, they stated, was a $3.8 million loan that the company gave Lisa Marie, with the iconic home as collateral, before her death in January 2023.
Riley Keough, Lisa Marie’s eldest daughter and heir, fiercely contested the sale. She filed a spirited lawsuit claiming her mother’s signature on legal papers was forged and the company itself was a “false entity” set up to defraud the estate. In an affidavit attached to Keough’s lawsuit, the notary public listed on Naussany’s documents said she never met Lisa Marie Presley or notarized her signature.
Over the years, I have visited each of the homes mentioned in this blog post. Washington’s dining room where historic notables ate and the weighty issues facing the new nation were debated. Lincoln’s homey dwelling where so much yearning to be a great man churned within the one who would become the most important president to serve the nation. With my best friend, Brad, and his better half in life, Ayesha, we walked through Elvis’ small southern-toned home where guitars and a piano would have been heard with the voices of those gathered singing gospel songs late into the night. Graceland is the touchstone to Elvis of the 1950s when he untapped a longing in the nation to be freer in expression and style. Pink shirts, ducktail haircut, raw sexuality, and that driving beat from a white man who crossed a needed musical bridge between the races. We strive to save the historic homes in our nation as they tell the larger story about ourselves.
I will end this post with one song from a lengthy set of recordings from the Jungle Room in Graceland in 1976. RCA set up a sound studio with recording trucks in the driveway. Lots of fun!
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 