Elvis Presley’s iconic blue suede shoes have been auctioned off for a staggering sum, reflecting the enduring legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The shoes, a symbol of Elvis’s flamboyant style and musical influence, were sold for over $150,000 to an American collector based in California. The auction, conducted by Henry Aldridge & Son, highlighted the cultural significance of these shoes, which have become synonymous with Elvis’s image.
The blue suede shoes were not just a fashion statement but a part of Elvis’s storied career. They made appearances both on and off stage, including a memorable performance of “I Want You, I Need You, I Love You” on “The Steve Allen Show” in 1956. Elvis’s close friend and ranch foreman, Alan Fortas, had been the custodian of the shoes since Elvis gifted them to him shortly before his army induction. Fortas recounted how Elvis, during an all-night party at Graceland, called a few friends upstairs to give away some of his wardrobe items, including the iconic blue suede shoes.
The shoes were authenticated by Jimmy Tennant, better known as Jimmy Velvet, a rock and roll vocalist and close companion of Elvis for 22 years. Velvet, who ran the Elvis Presley Museum in Memphis, Tennessee, after Elvis’s death in 1977, is considered the world’s leading Elvis authority. The shoes have been displayed in various museums, including the Elvis-A-Rama museum in Las Vegas, where they narrowly escaped a robbery in 2004.
“Blue Suede Shoes,” originally written by Tennessee singer-songwriter Carl Perkins, was popularized by Elvis, who made the song a hit with its famous lines, “But don’t you step on my blue suede shoes / Well you can do anything but / Lay off of my blue suede shoes.” The song was the opening track on Elvis’s debut studio album, “Elvis Presley,” released in 1956.
The sale of the shoes underscores the lasting impact of Elvis Presley on music and popular culture. Nearly 50 years after his death, Elvis remains one of the greatest artists of all time. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge noted that the price reflects the iconic nature of the shoes and the enduring fascination with Elvis. The shoes, size 10.5 and stamped “Nunn-Bush” on the heel, were worn by Elvis during the 1950s both onstage and offstage. They were notably worn during a performance on NBC’s “The Steve Allen Show” on July 1, 1956, and during a comedy skit with Andy Griffith.
The auction also included three documents illustrating the history of the shoes: an Elvis Presley Museum letter of authenticity hand-signed by Jimmy Velvet, an Elvis Presley Museum certificate of authenticity, and a letter from Alan Fortas. In his letter, Fortas described how Elvis gifted him the shoes before leaving for the army in 1958. He recounted the night before Elvis’s army induction, when Elvis had an all-night party at Graceland and gave away some of his clothes, including the blue suede shoes.
The shoes were sold for about $120,000, slightly below the auction house estimate of between $126,000 and $151,000. Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized the shoes’ iconic status, noting that they are as emblematic of Elvis as his upturned collars and Las Vegas performances. The shoes, which have been displayed in various museums over the years, were bought by a client from California.
Elvis’s blue suede shoes are more than just a piece of footwear; they are a piece of music history. The shoes were worn during some of Elvis’s most famous performances, including his rendition of “Hound Dog” to a real hound dog on “The Steve Allen Show.” The catchy tune “Blue Suede Shoes” reached #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1956 and was designated as one of the 500 songs that helped shape rock music by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Elvis, known for his flamboyant possessions like his pink Cadillac and collection of flashy jumpsuits, gave the shoes to Alan Fortas the night before his US army induction. Fortas’s letter to the auction house described how Elvis, during an all-night party at Graceland, gave away some of his clothes, including the blue suede shoes, which Fortas had owned for all these years.
The auction of Elvis’s blue suede shoes is a testament to the enduring legacy of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The shoes, which have been authenticated and displayed in various museums, are a symbol of Elvis’s impact on music and popular culture. The sale reflects the continued fascination with Elvis and his iconic style, nearly 50 years after his death.
Source: CBS News, Fox News, CNN, BBC News
