First “That’s All Right” Acetate Played on Radio by Memphis DJ to go on Permanent Display at Elvis Presley’s Graceland
Considered the largest archive of any performer in history with more than 1.5 million items, the Graceland Archives is consistently working to expand its collection with historically significant items to tell the legendary story of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
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The latest addition to the Graceland Archives is the single-sided 10” disc featuring Elvis’ last name written as “Pressley,” which was recorded on July 5, 1954 “live” with just Scotty Moore on electric guitar, Bill Black on bass, and Elvis himself on acoustic rhythm guitar, with no additional instruments. (Photo: Graceland Archives)
Elvis Presley’s Graceland announced today, at a ceremony celebrating Elvis’ birthday, the acquisition of the original acetate disc of Elvis’ recording of “That’s All Right” that was first played by Memphis DJ Dewey Phillips on WHBQ, marking the pivotal moment that ushered in a whole new era of American music and popular culture that changed the world forever.
The acetate, a single-sided 10” disc that features Elvis’ last name written as “Pressley,” was recorded on July 5, 1954 “live” with just Scotty Moore on electric guitar, Bill Black on bass, and Elvis himself on acoustic rhythm guitar, with no additional instruments. The sound on the 10” disc is raw and showcases the music of an up-until-that-moment completely unknown Elvis Presley in its purest form.
Stamped with W.H.B.Q. Memphis, the single-sided acetate was given to WHBQ’s Dewey Phillips by Memphis Recording Service owner Sam Phillips, and was first played on air on July 6, 1954. After airing the song, the station’s switchboard lit up, and Elvis Presley’s legendary career was launched.
The “That’s All Right” acetate is now on permanent display at Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, located at Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, and will become a permanent part of the Graceland Archives.
The Graceland Archives features over 1.5 million items including photographs, textiles, documents, plus a large collection of furniture, musical instruments, awards, automobiles, and other artifacts associated with the personal life and career of Elvis Presley. The strict guidelines at the Graceland Archives help sustain the integrity of our exhibitions and collections of Elvis history, and the preservation of these Elvis items will entertain and educate millions of people for years to come.
About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the new 80,000 square feet Graceland Exhibition Center featuring rotating exhibits; the AAA Four Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours, and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Graceland is the only attraction worldwide to ever receive ten USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards including “Best Holiday Historic Home Tour,” “Best Tennessee Attraction and Iconic Landmark,” “Best Musical Attraction,” “Best Historic Southern Attraction,” and the #1 “Iconic American Attraction.” The TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Awards named Graceland the most popular attraction in Tennessee and one of the top 25 landmarks in the world and Rolling Stone named it one of 10 Great American Music Landmarks. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com.
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Contacts
Alicia Dean
adean@graceland.com / 901-652-2474
