Elvis Presley’s iconic blue suede shoes, worn during the 1950s, have fetched a staggering £120,000 at auction. The King of Rock and Roll donned these shoes both on and off stage, including during his memorable appearance on the Steve Allen television show. The shoes were sold by Henry Aldridge & Son in Devizes, with the hammer price set at £95,000, which rose to £120,000 after including fees and VAT.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized the cultural significance of the shoes, stating, “They are as iconic as they can be.” He added, “Blue suede shoes, hound dog, these are things that you think of immediately when you talk about Elvis Presley. They almost transcend popular culture.” Aldridge described the shoes as an exceptional piece of showbusiness, music, and popular culture memorabilia.
The size 10.5 shoes were given to Alan Fortas, a friend of Elvis, after the singer was called up to join the American army. Aldridge explained, “When Elvis was called up for the American Army, he had a get-together at Graceland. He called some of the guests upstairs and gave away some of the clothes he didn’t think he’d need or want when he came back from the army.”
The shoes have a well-documented provenance, having been verified by Jimmy Velvet, a close friend of Presley and a leading authority on the singer. Over the years, the shoes have been displayed in various museums, further cementing their status as a significant piece of rock and roll history.
Elvis acquired the shoes after performing “Blue Suede Shoes” by Carl Perkins on his debut album, “Elvis Presley.” The song, with its famous refrain “don’t you step on my blue suede shoes,” was written and first recorded by Perkins in 1955. Presley recorded it in 1956, and it features as the opening track on his debut album.
In his autobiography, “Cash: The Autobiography,” singer-songwriter Johnny Cash claims to have inspired the song while touring with Perkins. Cash recounted a story about an airman he met during his military service who referred to his military-issued shoes as “blue suede shoes” and insisted that no one step on or scuff them.
The auction of Elvis’s blue suede shoes follows the sale of other Presley memorabilia by Henry Aldridge & Son. Last year, the auction house sold a mink coat owned by the singer for £128,000 to a US collector. The continued high demand for Elvis memorabilia underscores the enduring legacy of the King of Rock and Roll.
Also auctioned on the same day was a two-piece suit worn by Queen’s Freddie Mercury, which fetched £47,000. The suit, along with a pair of black velvet Church’s ‘Crown’ loafers, was worn during the “I’m Going Slightly Mad” music video, just months before Mercury’s death in 1991.
The sale of these items highlights the significant value placed on memorabilia associated with iconic figures in music history. Elvis’s blue suede shoes, in particular, serve as a tangible connection to the early days of rock and roll and the cultural impact of Presley’s career.
The shoes’ journey from Elvis’s feet to the auction block is a testament to their historical and cultural importance. They represent not just a piece of footwear, but a symbol of a transformative era in music history. The fact that they were given away during a personal moment at Graceland adds an intimate layer to their story, making them even more special to collectors and fans alike.
The successful auction of Elvis’s blue suede shoes is a reminder of the lasting influence of his music and persona. As Andrew Aldridge aptly put it, “They almost transcend popular culture.” The shoes are more than just an artifact; they are a piece of the legend that is Elvis Presley, a legend that continues to captivate and inspire generations.
Source: BBC, PA Media, The Guardian
