By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/why-elvis-shot-this-tv-and-other-photos-of-his-exhibit Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Why Elvis shot this TV (and other photos from the new Graceland entertainment complex) Nation Mar 3, 2017 4:06 PM EDT Along with his snarling baritone and swiveling hips, Elvis Presley apparently was known for his gunslinging. The story goes that as he watched singer Robert Goulet performing on television one night, he shot out the screen of his 25-inch RCA TV. “There was nothing Elvis had against Robert Goulet. They were friends,” Kevin Kern, a spokesman for Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, told the Associated Press in 2006. “But Elvis just shot out things on a random basis.” A TV with a bullet hole is one of the items on display in a new $45 million entertainment complex that opened Thursday across the street from the singer’s longtime home, Graceland. “You’re getting the full gamut of who Elvis Presley was,” said Priscilla Presley, wife of the late singer, at the grand opening. The exhibit also displays some of his spangled outfits, guitars and car collection, including an MG convertible. “You’re getting to see and participate a bit in his life and what he enjoyed and what he loved to collect,” she said. Explore more of The King’s new complex with these photos from Reuters. Priscilla Presley, wife of the late singer Elvis Presley, speaks to fans at the grand opening of the $45 million entertainment and museum complex in Memphis. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters A woman takes a photo with her cell phone before entering the complex on March 2. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Elvis Presley fans walk in to the ticket office at the grand opening of a complex showcasing the late singer’s belongings. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Paul Winter of the United Kingdom, shows off his tattoo of Elvis Presley during the grand opening of the new Elvis Presley’s Memphis in Tennessee on March 2. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Ann McClain (left) and Neil Spencer of Knoxville, Tennessee watch a video of Elvis Presley performing. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters A woman walks past an MG convertible inside the Presley Motors Automobile Museum at the new complex. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Neil Spencer of Knoxville, Tennessee, walks through a display featuring jumpsuits worn by Elvis Presley. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Betty Miller looks at an exhibit of Elvis Presley paraphernalia. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Laura Hallstrom of Olive Branch, Mississippi, tears up after meeting Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ wife. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
Along with his snarling baritone and swiveling hips, Elvis Presley apparently was known for his gunslinging. The story goes that as he watched singer Robert Goulet performing on television one night, he shot out the screen of his 25-inch RCA TV. “There was nothing Elvis had against Robert Goulet. They were friends,” Kevin Kern, a spokesman for Presley’s home and museum Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee, told the Associated Press in 2006. “But Elvis just shot out things on a random basis.” A TV with a bullet hole is one of the items on display in a new $45 million entertainment complex that opened Thursday across the street from the singer’s longtime home, Graceland. “You’re getting the full gamut of who Elvis Presley was,” said Priscilla Presley, wife of the late singer, at the grand opening. The exhibit also displays some of his spangled outfits, guitars and car collection, including an MG convertible. “You’re getting to see and participate a bit in his life and what he enjoyed and what he loved to collect,” she said. Explore more of The King’s new complex with these photos from Reuters. Priscilla Presley, wife of the late singer Elvis Presley, speaks to fans at the grand opening of the $45 million entertainment and museum complex in Memphis. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters A woman takes a photo with her cell phone before entering the complex on March 2. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Elvis Presley fans walk in to the ticket office at the grand opening of a complex showcasing the late singer’s belongings. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Paul Winter of the United Kingdom, shows off his tattoo of Elvis Presley during the grand opening of the new Elvis Presley’s Memphis in Tennessee on March 2. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Ann McClain (left) and Neil Spencer of Knoxville, Tennessee watch a video of Elvis Presley performing. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters A woman walks past an MG convertible inside the Presley Motors Automobile Museum at the new complex. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Neil Spencer of Knoxville, Tennessee, walks through a display featuring jumpsuits worn by Elvis Presley. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Betty Miller looks at an exhibit of Elvis Presley paraphernalia. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters Laura Hallstrom of Olive Branch, Mississippi, tears up after meeting Priscilla Presley, Elvis’ wife. Photo by Brandon Dill/Reuters We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now