Placeholder Content Image

Riley Keough fights Graceland foreclosure sale

<p>Elvis Presley's granddaughter Riley Keough has taken legal action against a company's plan to publicly auction Graceland estate in Memphis county, after she accused them of providing "fraudulent" documents. </p> <p>A public notice for a foreclosure sale of the 13-acre estate was posted in early May said that Promenade Trust, the company which controls the Graceland museum, owed $US3.8 million ($5.7 million) after failing to repay a 2018 loan.</p> <p>Keough's late mother, Lisa Marie Presley, allegedly signed the deed of trust and used Graceland as collateral. </p> <p>Naussany Investments and Private Lending, a Missouri-based company who managed the loan, claims that Lisa Marie failed to repay the loan. </p> <p>A public auction for the estate had been scheduled for Thursday this week, but a judge has blocked the sale after Keough sought a temporary restraining order and filed a lawsuit. </p> <p>In the lawsuit, Keough asserts that her mother never borrowed any money, and alleged that Lisa Marie’s signatures were forged and that Naussany Investments isn’t even a legitimate company.</p> <p>"Lisa Maria Presley never borrowed money from Naussany Investments and never gave a deed of trust to Naussany Investments," Keough's lawyer wrote in a lawsuit.</p> <p>“These documents are fraudulent.</p> <p>“Furthermore, the notary listed on the documents denies notarising Lisa Marie’s signature or ever meeting her.”</p> <p>A source told <em>The New York Post</em> that Keough is “traumatised” at what has unfolded and “never thought that a historic piece of property could even be considered to go into the hands of any random stranger”.</p> <p>An injunction hearing is set for Wednesday. </p> <p>Elvis bought the Graceland estate in 1957. After his death in 1977, his daughter Lisa Marie Presley inherited it and opened it up as a public museum five years later. After her death last year, her daughter Riley Keough became the heir. </p> <p><em>Image: Carl Timpone/BFA.com/ Shutterstock Editorial</em></p> <p> </p>

Legal

Placeholder Content Image

“How is this funny?”: Tourist slammed over “disrespectful” act at Graceland

<p dir="ltr">An arrogant traveller has been slammed online after blatantly disregarding signage at Graceland, and taking a dip in the pool. </p> <p dir="ltr">A woman posted a video from the late Elvis Presley’s iconic property in Memphis, Tennessee, as she travelled to the area with her husband.</p> <p dir="ltr">Capturing the moment and sharing it online as a joke, a video posted to the woman’s TikTok account shows her husband, dressed in shorts, shoes and socks climbing over a pool fence, marked 'RESTRICTED AREA'.</p> <p dir="ltr">The man is then seen walking towards the diving board as a security guard rushes towards him.</p> <p dir="ltr">After wobbling a bit on the diving board, he jumps into the water before the guard can stop him.</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman captured the video, "My husband jumped into Elvis pool", adding a laughing emoji.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the couple’s jovial nature over the stunt, many people were quick to condemn the tourists and their video, which has been viewed over 14 million times. </p> <p dir="ltr">"How is this funny? People are so disrespectful and I hope he got arrested," one person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">"As someone who has solid respect for Elvis Presley this is very disrespectful to him and his family," another agreed.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Travellers doing whatever they want as usual. Shame," another person commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the overwhelming condemnation, there were some who defended the man’s actions, with one person writing, "I think Elvis would have done the same thing lol."</p> <p dir="ltr">The woman also responded to the accusations that her husband's actions were disrespectful in another video, saying, "Elvis caught someone jumping into his pool once and he never stopped them. He never got them arrested. Told them to stay in the pool. That's what a pool is meant for is to jump into."</p> <p dir="ltr">One person quickly responded, "Whether people think 'Elvis would be laughing' or not it's all down to respect. There's a reason as to why certain areas are roped off."</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em></p>

Travel Trouble

Placeholder Content Image

Priscilla Presley challenges Lisa Marie’s will

<p>Priscilla Presley has taken her late daughter’s trust to court mere weeks after Lisa Marie’s death on January 12. </p> <p>Priscilla allegedly discovered a document from 2016 that concerns an amendment to the trust. The actor and business woman reportedly filed documents that challenge this “purported 2016 amendment” to Lisa Marie’s will, and has asked that it be deemed “invalid”.</p> <p>Said amendment ousted Priscilla as trustee, instead naming Lisa Marie’s eldest daughter, Riley Keough, and her late son, Benjamin Keough, as co-trustees. However, Benjamin Keough passed away in 2020, leaving Riley as the sole trustee to their late mother’s estate. Priscilla claims that she and Barry Siegel, Lisa Marie's former business manager, were appointed co-trustees in 1993.</p> <p>Lisa Marie was the sole heir to Elvis Presley’s fortune after his death in 1977. The Graceland mansion is reported to be worth more than $100m USD (approximately $141m AUD).</p> <p>Priscilla questions the “authenticity and validity” of the amendment, and alleges that her daughter’s signature “appears inconsistent with her usual and customary signature” on the document from 2016, and even argues that Lisa Marie’s name had been spelled incorrectly. On top of this, Priscilla claims that the document wasn’t notarised.</p> <p>According to court documents, “Lisa Marie Presley appointed her mother, Petitioner, and her former business manager, Barry Siegel, as co-Trustees effective as of the date of the 2010 restatement.</p> <p>“The 2010 restatement further provides that Petitioner and Barry Siegel shall continue to serve as co-Trustees upon Lisa Marie Presley’s subsequent incapacity and/or death.</p> <p>“The Purported 2016 Amendment removed and replaced Petitioner and Barry as both current and successor Trustees of the Trust with Lisa Marie Presley as the current Trustee and naming Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter, Riley Keough, and son, Benjamin Keough, as successor co-Trustees of the Trust upon Lisa Marie Presley’s incapacity and/or 10 death.”</p> <p>Priscilla’s legal move comes less than one week after a memorial service for Lisa Marie at the Graceland estate in Memphis, Tennessee. </p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Money & Banking

Placeholder Content Image

Lisa Marie Presley honoured in emotional Graceland memorial

<p>Over a thousand people gathered at the public memorial service in Graceland to remember the life of Lisa Marie Presley on Sunday.</p> <p>Friends and family members have shared their emotional tributes to the late star, as Lisa Marie Presley's eldest daughter was so overwhelmed with emotion that she had her husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, read the touching eulogy on her behalf.</p> <p>“Thank you for being my mother in this life,” the letter began, “I’m eternally grateful".</p> <p>In the letter, she also recalled the sweet memories she had with her late mother while growing up, and revealed that she and her husband have recently welcomed a daughter in private.</p> <p>“Thank you for showing me love is the only thing that matters in this life. I hope I can love my daughter the way you loved me, the way you loved my brother and my sisters,” the letter read in part.</p> <p>She then thanked her mother for all the traits she got from her.</p> <p>Her strength, heart, empathy, and courage are a few mentioned in the list.</p> <p>“I’m a product of your heart, my sisters are a product of your heart, my brother is a product of your heart," she wrote.</p> <p>“I remember you giving me baths as a baby, driving me in my car seat listening to Aretha Franklin … taking me for ice cream after school in Florida,” she reminisced.</p> <p>“I remember you singing to me and my brother lullabies at night, and how you’d lay with us until we fell asleep,” she continued, sharing the sweet memories she also had with her late brother, Benjamin.</p> <p>“I remember how it felt be loved by the most loving mother I’ve ever known. How safe it felt to be in your arms: I remember that feeling as a child and I remember it two weeks ago on your couch".</p> <p>Priscilla Presley also shared a poem titled 'The Old Soul', written by one of her granddaughters.</p> <p>"I have no idea how to put my mother into words. Truth is there are too many,” the poem began.</p> <p>She referred to her mother as "an icon, a role model, and a superhero," and added the Lisa Marie “always knew she wouldn’t be here too long".</p> <p>The 14-year-old then went on to talk about her brother, Benjamin, who died by suicide in July 2020.</p> <p>“Could this be the angel who takes me home? She knew it was close to the end, survivors guilt some would say. But a broken heart was the doing of her death".</p> <p>Priscilla Presley then added her own message to her daughter: "Our hearts are broken. Lisa we all love you".</p> <p><em>Image: Getty/Graceland livestream</em></p>

News

Placeholder Content Image

Celebrating the King at Graceland’s Elvis festival

<p>Celebrate the life of the late great Elvis Presley.</p> <p><strong>What is it?</strong></p> <p>The spirit of Elvis is alive and well at his former home, Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee. Every year, on the anniversary of his death (August 16) Graceland hosts a nine-day celebration of his life and music. Some years, up to 75,000 people have attended. The festival is predicted to be the largest ever as 2017 marks the 40<sup>th</sup> anniversary of Elvis’ death.</p> <p><strong>What events are there?</strong></p> <p>The cornerstone of the event is the Candlelight Vigil. It starts on the evening of August 15 as fans holding candles walk in silence up the driveway of Graceland to the Meditation Garden. They sit there in quiet remembrance until the early hours of the 16<sup>th</sup>, listen to music and share memories of the King.</p> <p>There’s lots of music, including live performances, impersonators and dance parties. Don’t miss the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest where lookalikes from around the world compete to win the crown. Elvis’ best movies are shown, there are panel discussions from industry experts or people who knew him, tours of the Graceland mansion and lots of special fan events where they can swap stories. A huge marketplace for memorabilia and merchandise is set up in the local convention centre and you can take a tour to Elvis’ childhood home in Tupelo, Mississippi.</p> <p><strong>How can I go?</strong></p> <p>In 2017, Elvis Week will run from August 11-19. Many events are free to attend, however for the headliners tickets will sell out early. The whole town of Memphis is in party mode to celebrate their most famous son, so even if you miss out on the official events you can hit a local blues club and soak up the atmosphere.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Twitter / NSW Central West</em></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

The unforgettable to-do list for a trip Graceland

<p>It’s the legendary home of the King of Rock and Roll and the ultimate pilgrimage for any music fan.</p> <p><strong>1. Marvel at the Graceland Mansion</strong></p> <p>Elvis lived here, with his family, for more than 20 years. An audio tour full of personal stories from Elvis and his daughter Lisa Marie will lead you around the property. Much of the house is still styled in its 1960s and 70s heyday, especially the opulent Polynesian-style Jungle Room with green shag carpet and intricately carved wood. The Trophy Building houses a huge collection of Elvis’ gold and platinum records, alongside some fascinating memorabilia. To see all of his iconic jumpsuits from the 1970s, head to the refurbished racquetball court.</p> <p><strong>2. Pay your respects at the Meditation Garden</strong></p> <p><strong><img width="500" height="333" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28891/shutterstock_456313813_500x333.jpg" alt="elvis grave" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></strong></p> <p>Elvis and other members of his family, including his beloved mother Gladys, are buried in a Meditation Garden adjacent to the mansion. There’s a gently tinkling fountain and Elvis ballads are piped through speakers as millions of fans come here to pay their respects to the late icon.</p> <p><strong>3. Check out his car collection</strong></p> <p>Elvis loved cars and had a passion for collecting rare, expensive or customised vehicles. More than 15 of these beauties are collected in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum on-site including a pink Cadillac, a 1975 Dino Ferrari, a 1973 Stutz Blackhawk and the pink Jeep from the movie <em>Blue Hawaii</em>.</p> <p><strong>4. Hop aboard the opulent jets</strong></p> <p>The King of Rock and Roll also had a thing for custom jets. He spent close to $1 million refurbishing a 1958 Convair 880 with living areas, a conference room and bedroom, and named it after daughter Lisa Marie. Special touches include gold-plated seatbelts, suede chairs, leather-covered tables and 24-carat gold flecked sinks.</p> <p><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/28890/image__498x245.jpg" alt="graceland" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"/></p> <p><strong>5. Learn more at the unique exhibitions</strong></p> <p>The tour’s not over yet. There are a number of one-of-a-kind exhibitions on show at Graceland, which include photography, movie memorabilia, items from his childhood, documentaries, concert films and more. A new exhibition has just opened this year to celebrate the 60<sup>th</sup> anniversary of the release of his first film, <em>Love Me Tender</em>.</p> <p><strong>6. Bed down at the Heartbreak Hotel</strong></p> <p>You can’t come to Graceland and not spend the night at the Heartbreak Hotel, just across the road. It’s a retro-rock styled boutique property with more than 130 Elvis themed rooms and suites. We suggest the 1970s-style Burning Love suite, decorated in lots of rich reds to celebrate Elvis’ status as a romantic idol.</p> <p>Have you ever been to Graceland? What about the US in general? If so how was your visit? Let us know in the comments section, we’d love to hear from you.</p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/09/graceland-hotel-to-open-in-october/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Guest House at Graceland set to open to Elvis fans in October</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2016/02/rare-footage-of-elvis-1967-wedding/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Rare footage of Elvis’ 1967 wedding uncovered</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/02/chart-topping-song-list/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Songs that have defined the ages</strong></em></span></a></p>

International Travel

Placeholder Content Image

Guest House at Graceland set to open to Elvis fans in October

<p>Elvis Presley used to dream about building a guest house at his Graceland property, for friends who would visit the rock ‘n’ roll icon in Memphis.</p> <p>Presley didn’t get to see his dream come true, but his fans will.</p> <p>The Guest House at Graceland is a six-storey, 450-room hotel, opening on October 27 just steps from Presley’s former home. The exterior, with columns, arches and a portico, evokes the feel of a comfortable Southern Colonial home, but the interior design and amenities are modern.</p> <p>Presley died on August 16, 1977, and Graceland was eventually turned into a museum.</p> <p>Priscilla Presley, the singer’s former wife and a caretaker of his legacy, said Elvis had made plans to build a guest house at Graceland as far back as 1960. But it was never built, so when people visited Graceland, they would stay at a Howard Johnson’s down the street.</p> <p>“This luxury hotel is the most significant enhancement to Graceland since we opened in 1982,” Priscilla Presley said. “This is huge ... I feel that it’s just so right for fans, and our guests, and tourists.”</p> <p>The hotel is the first of its kind in the working and middle-class Memphis neighbourhood of Whitehaven. Droves of applicants flocked to a job fair and the hotel will employ about 450 people. When the hotel opens, room prices will range from $US149 (NZ$206) for basic rooms to $US1300 ($1801) for the highest-priced suite.</p> <p>The location lets Elvis fans stay within walking distance of Graceland and the tourist attractions across the street, but it will likely attract other visitors as well. It will offer the most upscale accommodation in the immediate area, which has a Days Inn and a couple of other budget hotels. Also nearby, the ageing Heartbreak Hotel is scheduled for demolition.</p> <p>The Guest House at Graceland also promises to become one of the city’s top lodging options, along with the Peabody and the Madison several kilometres away in the downtown area.</p> <p>“If you ever thought that you wanted to hang out with Elvis and feel like one of his guests, this is your opportunity,” said Joel Weinshanker, managing partner of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the Graceland tours and also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events worldwide.</p> <p>Weinshanker said the total investment in the hotel was about $US92 million. Memphis officials approved a tax break for the hotel project.</p> <p>The hotel is still under construction, with bulldozers outside and workers installing electric outlets and carpets. But colours associated with The King already are present, such as touches of purple and gold in the carpeting and hallways, gold lighting in the 464-seat theatre, and a picture of Elvis in a gold jacket hanging on the textured grey walls of guest rooms. At 35860sq m, it’s about 22 times the size of the Graceland house.</p> <p>“There’s not a whole lot of Elvis bling,” said Elvis Presley Enterprises CEO Jack Soden. “It’s much more subtle. It’s very cool.”</p> <p>The circular lobby is illuminated by natural light streaming through large windows. The lobby ceiling features mirrors shaped like elongated hexagons. The grey and purple carpet is decorated with a geometric pattern.</p> <p>Turn right and you get The Lobby Lounge, an eating and drinking spot with indoor and outdoor seating. Nearby is E.P.’s Bar and Grill, a sports bar-themed restaurant with televisions and a pool table.</p> <p>A left turn from the lobby leads to another restaurant, Delta’s Kitchen, which will feature locally sourced products and a breakfast buffet. There’s also a coffee bar, and room service will be available.</p> <p>Beyond Delta’s Kitchen is a large ballroom and four meeting rooms. The theatre venue can be used for musical performances and company conferences.</p> <p>The rooms feature textured vinyl wall coverings, a glass-encased shower with a wall-mounted body spray, and sleekly designed chairs next to a window with a blackout curtain. Rooms also have a Keurig coffee brewing system and a flat-screen TV.</p> <p>Priscilla Presley said suites would have unique themes. The King’s Suite would be designed like Elvis Presley’s master bedroom, with rich red and black tones and a custom-draped canopy bed.</p> <p>The property will also include a swimming pool, adding to the resort feel.</p> <p>“It really is quite beautiful, and it is subtle, and it is contemporary, and it’s classy,” Priscilla Presley said. “I think our guests will be very happy.”</p> <p>Tell us in the comments below, would you be keen to pay a visit to Graceland?</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">.</span></strong></a></em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/08/15-photos-of-musicians-before-they-were-famous/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">15 photos of musicians before they were famous</span></strong></em></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/06/15-most-iconic-album-covers/"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">15 most iconic album covers</span></em></strong></a></p> <p><a href="/entertainment/music/2016/05/1970s-songs-that-defined-a-decade/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>1970s: songs that defined a decade</strong></em></span></a></p>

Music