Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley, has been a major tourist destination since it opened in 1982. Attracting over 600,000 annual visitors, it holds a significant place in American culture, being the most visited house museum after the White House. Despite bustling crowds and the ongoing appeal of Elvis celebrations, Graceland stands at a cultural crossroads as the King of Rock & Roll becomes increasingly distant from younger audiences. With ongoing discussions about cultural appropriation in music, the estate's future relevance is uncertain, prompting reflection on its place in modern music history.
Today, the 17,552-sq.-ft. Colonial Revival estate has been open for tours longer than Elvis was alive, attracting some 600,000 guests annually.
Graceland has all the trappings of an Americana bucket list; the Mount Rushmore of music, the Disneyland of Rock & Roll.
Despite its still-staggering visitation, it feels like Graceland is at a cultural crossroads as questions swirl around the longevity of his estate.
Elvis has now been dead longer than he was alive, and along with reckonings around appropriation of Black musical traditions, questions continue to arise.
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