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CNN Saturday Morning News
Interview With Kevin Kane
Aired August 10, 2002 - 09:17 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Next Friday is the 25th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley, and Elvis Week begins tonight, more specifically in Memphis.
Kevin Kane of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau is here to be our travel guide.
And I know that folks are really excited about this, because, you know, we always see sightings of Elvis year round, and now you've got the excuse of the 25th anniversary. How in the world are you going to manage to accommodate the thousands of folks who are going to be coming to Memphis?
KEVIN KANE, MEMPHIS CONVENTION AND VISITORS' BUREAU: Well, Fredricka, we're expecting 75,000 people over the next week for the Elvis Week activities. And I'll tell you, we're all shook up in Memphis. It's great.
WHITFIELD: Oh, well, there are a lot of things that folks are going to be checking out while in Memphis, not just Graceland, right?
KANE: Oh, absolutely.
WHITFIELD: There are an awful lot of attractions. Let's begin with what your favorite just might be.
KANE: Well, of course, we love Graceland, but the historic Beale Street where the -- all the Elvis activities tonight start with a huge parade welcoming all the fans to the city. And of course just two blocks away is Sun Studio, and Sun Studio, of course, is where rock and roll was born. And it's so authentic, it's something that when people come from all over the world, they love it.
WHITFIELD: And so most -- are most of these activities free for folks?
KANE: A lot of activities are free, yes. In fact, a lot of activities during Elvis Week, things they'll be doing at the mansion, RCA will be making a special presentation with all the recertification of gold and platinum records in the next week. So a lot of activities during the week are free.
WHITFIELD: Now, what about at the Graceland mansion, which is what we're looking at right now on videotape? Already, I mean, folks line up to go inside Graceland, to be on the grounds of Graceland on any given day. But now with the 25th anniversary, how in the world are the folks there, you know, kind of cordon off areas or try to manage what are expected to be, as you said, you know, tens of thousands of people descending on?
KANE: Well, you know, only the White House in Washington, D.C., as a private residence has more visitors than Elvis Presley's house, Graceland. And Graceland hosts over 700,000 people annually, so they're used to the crowds. But of course this week it's a little larger than normal.
WHITFIELD: And so are there other activities besides some of these public sites that people can go to?
KANE: Oh, absolutely. In fact, next Friday, they'll have the 25th anniversary Elvis concert. You know, Elvis is still selling out concerts 25 years after his death.
WHITFIELD: Oh, my gosh. And so who's putting on some of the shows?
KANE: Well, of course, Elvis Presley Enterprises is behind most of it, but it's -- the Elvis fans from all over the world, they have their own activities that they invite the public too as well. There's hundreds of activities virtually over the next seven to 10 days.
WHITFIELD: At a time like this, where would Lisa Marie be and where would Priscilla be?
KANE: Well, they'll be in Memphis next week. In fact, they will both speak at the concert next Friday night.
WHITFIELD: Oh, really? Wow. So I know that's an additional treat for a lot of folks who are just mesmerized by the legacy of Elvis.
KANE: I'll tell you, you know, 25 years after the king of rock and roll's death, he's as big as ever.
WHITFIELD: Now, what about all the tzatchkes, you know, all of the, you know, items that -- like the swinging hips of the clock you have back there? I'm embarrassed to say we actually have one of those at home. But what are some of the other things that folks that can't wait to purchase as it involves Elvis memorabilia?
KANE: Well, Fredricka, this year Elvis Presley Enterprises started a collectors' club, because the fans, through the years, they take their collector items very seriously. And you can see right in front of me, there's a lot of items there that people have to buy when they're here in Memphis, experiencing all the activities for Elvis Week.
WHITFIELD: OK, so what have you got right in front of you there?
KANE: Well, we have the Elvis Presley lunchbox, and of course no home would be complete without the pink Cadillac cookie jar.
WHITFIELD: Got to have that. KANE: And, of course, you and millions of others have the Elvis swivel clock right behind me.
WHITFIELD: Now, how much do some of those items cost? I mean, obviously they've got to be pretty affordable for everybody. And there are little shops all over Memphis, so you can't miss an opportunity to buy any of these things.
KANE: No question about it, they are very affordable. But some of the items get very, very expensive. There are some very expensive, beautiful collector's items. In fact, they even came out with a furniture line. You can even get an Elvis bedroom suite now. So...
WHITFIELD: Oh, really?
KANE: ... you know, it -- you can have clothing, or you can furnish your home.
WHITFIELD: Oh, OK. Well, I know one of our producers is going to be excited about that because she was quite overtaken by that little leopard or animal print room. So now she knows where she can get some of those...
KANE: Absolutely.
WHITFIELD: ... items and duplicate a room.
All right, thanks very much, Kevin Kane of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau. And good luck this week, because I know you guys are going to need it.
KANE: Thank you. You guys come see us.
WHITFIELD: All right, will do, thanks very much.
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