From the desk of Roland Rocchiccioli – 7 November

Elvis Presley was one of the first, and remains one of the few, truly international superstars. He, and the late Marilyn Monroe, eclipsed them all!

THOSE of my friends who worked with Elvis say he was a most well-mannered and considerate man. Today, it could be argued that Elvis Presley remains as a big, if not bigger, star than when he died in August 1977, aged 42. Every year thousands of people make a pilgrimage to Graceland. For some it is an annual ritual. In 2020 the Elvis Presley estate earned $US 23 million.

Next year, a major exhibition celebrating the life and legacy of the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Elvis Presley is coming to Bendigo. The exhibition, Elvis: Direct from Graceland, will travel from Memphis, Tennessee, and arrive in Bendigo in March.

The Bendigo Art Gallery will house the exhibition featuring 300 artefacts owned by Elvis, including his military uniforms, a 1976 red Bicentennial custom Harley Davidson, and some of his famous jumpsuits.

The music icon’s personal items, such as baby clothes from his daughter Lisa Marie, his first job application, and his first-grade crayon box he took to school, will be part of the exhibition.

Elvis’ wedding tuxedo, and his wife Priscilla’s wedding dress will also be on display, along with a stage costume from the acclaimed TV performance known as the 68 Comeback Special, and garments from his eclectic home wardrobe.

This is the second time the priceless Elvis Presley collection has come to Australia. The last time they were escorted by Graceland curators and security, and travelled in a climate-controlled environment, guarded around the clock by a team of security guards.

I know one person who might have wished she’d hung on to an item of Elvis memorabilia.

In 1967, an actress acquaintance of mine, Yvonne Romaine, starred opposite Elvis in the movie, Double Trouble, and which Yvonne agrees is the worst film she ever made. Elvis, however, was charming. So smitten was he with the beautiful Yvonne, he sent her a pink Cadillac, tied up with a huge pink bow. Yvonne’s most proper mother was mortified by his generosity and insisted she return the car, immediately. “You don’t even know Mr Presley,” she said.

The cast of Double Trouble included Australian Chips Rafferty, and Leon Askin, who starred as General Burkhalter in the international television series, Hogan’s Heroes.

The late actress, Diana Dors, born Diana Mary Fluck, once told me Elvis sent her the same gift! Diana, however, did not return it.

Soon after Elvis died Diana said, “My wild, wild love affair with Elvis Presley has been one of the best kept secrets in show business. But today for the first time I can reveal that Elvis was my lover. And I loved him with all my heart.” Both stars were at the top of their careers in the United States and their affair lasted for five-months. The detail is recorded in the several biographies Diana wrote. Such was her fame, her wax figure appears on the cover of the Beatle’s 1967 album, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.

Bendigo Art Gallery director, Jessica Bridgfoot, said the exhibition was part of an international series featuring world icons. “We are so excited to be able to bring this iconic collection to Australia – the latest in an international series of exhibitions that pay homage to style icons including Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Balenciaga, and Mary Quant,” she said.

The public interest is Elvis Presley has never waned. He has a legion of fans – young and old – many of whom will be out in force for this opportunity to savour a moment of the late King’s life. The management and staff of the Bendigo gallery is to be applauded for their vision and entrepreneurialism.

Roland can be contacted via [email protected].