Seeing Elvis’ many awards and Gold and Platinum Records is one of the most memorable aspects of touring Graceland.
Whether it’s the Hall of Gold – a long hallway full of Gold records and awards – or the Trophy Room in the Racquetball Building – where awards and Gold, Platinum and Diamond Records cover the walls up to the ceiling – both locations leave fans in awe of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Right now at Graceland, fans can see three of Elvis’ most prestigious awards: his Grammy Awards, all of which he won for his gospel music.
He was nominated for many more songs and albums, though – do you know which ones?
The 58th annual Grammy Awards are Monday, February 15, so let’s take a look at these awards and how Elvis has been honored.
The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences present the Grammy Awards to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry. It’s the music equivalent to the Academy Awards, given for achievement in film, the Emmy Awards, for television, and the Tony Awards, for stage performance.
The first Grammy Awards ceremony was in the spring of 1959, so some of Elvis’ earliest hits (like “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Heartbreak Hotel” and many more) couldn’t have been nominated. But Elvis was nominated in that first year: “A Fool Such as I” was a nominee for Record of the Year (which lost to Bobby Darin’s “Mack the Knife”) and “A Big Hunk O’ Love” was nominated for both Best Performance by a Top 40 Artist and Best Rhythm and Blues Performance.
In 1960, the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll earned several Grammy nods.
“Are You Lonesome Tonight?” was nominated for Record of the Year; Best Vocal Performance Single Record or Track, Male; and Best Performance by a Pop Single Artist. The instrumental “The Theme from A Summer Place” won that year for Record of the Year.
Also in 1960, “G.I. Blues” was nominated for Best Vocal Performance Album, Male; and Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from a Motion Picture or Television.
The next year, “Blue Hawaii” was also nominated for Best Sound Track Album or Recording of Original Cast from a Motion Picture or Television. It lost to the “West Side Story” soundtrack.
Elvis became a Grammy winner in 1967. His second gospel record, “How Great Thou Art” won Best Sacred Performance.
He was nominated for Best Sacred Performance in 1968 for “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
He became a winner again in 1972, with “He Touched Me,” which won Best Inspirational Performance. He took home a trophy in that same category in 1974 with “How Great Thou Art," which was recorded live in Memphis.
In 1971, Elvis became the sixth recipient of NARAS’ Bing Crosby Lifetime Achievement Award. He was in good company: the first five recipients were Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Irving Berlin. Since then, artists such as Nat King Cole, Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin, Johnny Cash, Al Green, David Bowie, Etta James, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Patsy Cline have all received this prestigious award.
Elvis is also in the Grammy Hall of Fame.
“Hound Dog” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1988, followed by “Heartbreak Hotel” in 1995, “That’s All Right” in 1998, “Suspicious Minds” in 1999, “Don’t Be Cruel” in 2002 and “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” in 2007.
Elvis never attended any of the Grammy Awards ceremonies; in fact, he only accepted one award in person.
But you can see these awards – and much more – here at the king’s castle. Experience it all for yourself when you visit Graceland.