In this special extended episode, Gary Wells (www.soulrideblog.com) is our guide for an immersive audio tour through Memphis and Las Vegas. We’re considering these destinations wholly in the context of mid-twentieth century entertainment and culture, and what are essential places of interest for the ‘vintage leisure’ enthusiast.

We begin in Memphis, and visit Sun Records, the Stax Museum, Al Green’s Full Gospel Tabernacle Church, Beale Street, and a highly significant site on Audubon Drive. We explore Elvis Presley’s Graceland in detail, and of this Gary says, “It’s a hundred percent worth it, and what you get is the feeling, the experience. Elvis worked, lived, operated here. This is his home. It really does add an intangible and a strong dimension to your pursuit of the man and his world.” 

We then reconvene in Las Vegas to investigate a colourful history, from its early beginnings as a wild west desert railroad stopover, to its post-war glory years as the ultimate gambling and entertainment destination; epitomised by the Flamingo and the Sands, Bugsy Siegel, the Rat Pack, Elvis and the Showroom Internationale. We also seek out some undaunted traces of vintage Vegas, still to be discovered amongst the corporate splendour of the Bellagio and the MGM Grand.

Lots more information and links in our companion newsletters;

https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-companion-gary-wells

https://dec4.substack.com/p/the-dec4-podcast-companion-gary-wells-24a

Podcast theme by Gainesville (www.gainesville-band.de)

Post edit: We note with sadness the passing of Lisa Marie Presley, January 12th, 2023, aged 54. 

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