14. The Elvis Presley Shrine (Aspen Mountain)

According to an article in the Aspen Times Weekly newspaper (February 18, 2006; see http://www.aspentimes.com/article/20060218/RECREATION01/60222004)  the Elvis Presley Shrine was the very first shrine ever erected on Aspen Mountain.  However, the article does not state who installed the shrine or when.  Likewise, according  to an article ("Monumental" by Anita Rosenberg, see http://www.anitarosenberg.com/pdfs/writings-by/aspenpeak.pdf) in the Summer/Fall 2006 issue of AspenPeak magazine, the Elvis Presley shrine was the first, but no details are provided.  The shrine includes the famous photo of Elvis with President Nixon in the Oval Office (taken December 21, 1970), a Tennessee license plate (“1-Elvis”), another license plate that says “That’s Rock N Roll—Elvis”, a green and white street sign that says “Elvis Presley Blvd”, a Tow Away sign that says “No parking any time except Elvis fans”, and various other photos and items.

Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935–August 16, 1977), sometimes written Aron, was an American singer, musician and actor.  He is a cultural icon, often known as "The King of Rock 'n' Roll", or simply "The King".  Presley began his career as one of the first performers of rockabilly, an uptempo fusion of country and rhythm and blues with a strong back beat.  His novel versions of existing songs, mixing "black" and "white" sounds, made him popular—and controversial—as did his uninhibited stage and television performances.  He recorded songs in the rock and roll genre, with tracks like "Hound Dog" and "Jailhouse Rock" later embodying the style.  Presley had a versatile voice and had unusually wide success encompassing other genres, including gospel, blues, ballads and pop. To date, he is the only performer to have been inducted into four music halls of fame.  In the 1960s, Presley made the majority of his thirty-three movies—mainly poorly reviewed musicals.  In 1968, he returned to live music in a television special and thereafter performed across the U.S., notably in Las Vegas.  Throughout his career, he set records for concert attendance, television ratings and recordings sales. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in the history of popular music. Health problems plagued Presley in later life which, coupled with a punishing tour schedule and addiction to prescription medication, led to his premature death at age 42.

One interesting and unique thing about the Elvis Shrine is that it is one of the few shrines to have been shown on any official Aspen/Snowmass trail map.  For years it was shown on the trail map for children which was called the "Kids' Mountain Guide."  This map is no longer produced, as of the start of the 2009-2010 ski season.

For a panoramic/360 degree photo of the Elvis Presley Shrine, see:  http://www.aspenportrait.com/jerry-garcia-shrine/presley.html  This photo was taken in 2005.

For two PLUM TV Tim Mooney shrine tours which includes this shrine, see this video:   http://www.plumtv.com/videos/mooney-shrine-tour/index.html and this video:    http://pdam.plumtv.com/public/marketing_player/15330

A plaque in one of the Silver Queen gondola cars at Aspen states that "Elvis Presley Boulevard started out with a street sign from Memphis that was nailed to a tree on a traverse.  Fans soon began adding Elvis paraphernalia to the tree--pictures, Mardi Gras beads, a Tennessee license plate and more.  The King's birthday (January 8) is celebrated at the shrine each year."  There is a web site that covers all of the 73 plaques in the Aspen gondola cars including this plaque; see:  http://www.rachelcgoddard.com-a.googlepages.com/GondolaPlaque3_27.pdf and advance to plaque #55 for information on the Elvis Presley Shrine and a photo of it.  Also advance to plaque #60 which says that the Jerry Garcia Shrine, not the Elvis Presley Shrine, was the first one to be put up on Aspen Mountain.  For an Aspen Daily News article of December 23, 2006 about these plaques, see this link:  http://www.aspendailynews.com/section/home/aspen-history-now-pa  (Rachel Roberts designed the layout and compiled the historical facts and photographs for the placards which are featured in all of the 147 gondola cars at Ajax.  See:  http://www.rachelcgoddard.com-a.googlepages.com/#Scene_1)

The Elvis Presley Shrine is located near Ridge of Bell on Aspen Mountain.  Photos of it are below.

If you have any photos of or information about this item that you would like to share, please send to AspenShrines@aol.com.

This shrine is covered in the book, "Sanctuaries in the Snow--The Shrines and Memorials of Aspen/Snowmass."  The book may be purchased on this page on this site:  http://www.aspensnowmassshrines.com/index.php?The-Book

Click on images to enlarge.

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