Stepping into history: The auction of Elvis Presley's blue suede shoes

Elvis Presley's blue suede shoes, an emblematic piece of his wardrobe, have fetched more than $150,000 at auction, underscoring his lasting influence in the world of music and pop culture. Purchased by a collector from California, the shoes were part of a Friday auction hosted by Henry Aldridge & Son. These blue suede shoes, which played a significant role in Elvis' career, were originally gifted to Alan Fortas, one of Elvis' close friends and his ranch foreman.

According to Fortas, Elvis handed them over just before leaving for his military service, during a late-night gathering at Graceland, which would have been shortly after filming for Elvis's film "King Creole" wrapped.

Fortas said "The night before Elvis' army induction here in Memphis, Elvis had an all-night party at Graceland. Afterwards, we went to the Rainbow roller rink. When we all got home Elvis called some of us upstairs and was giving away some of his clothes he didn't think he would be wearing or wanted when he came back from the army. That night, Elvis gave me these blue suede shoes, size 10 1/2."

Until recently, he had kept the shoes ever since.

The significance of Elvis Presley and the blue sude shoes

Throughout the years, the shoes have been showcased in various exhibitions, including at the Elvis-A-Rama museum in Las Vegas, where they notably survived a robbery attempt in 2004 (that museum is considered "the world’s largest private collection of original Elvis Presley memorabilia west of Memphis").

Their authenticity was confirmed by Jimmy Velvet, a rock and roll vocalist and "The Godfather of memorabilia" who was a close companion of Elvis for over two decades and later managed the Elvis Presley Museum in Memphis. That Velvet, regarded as a leading authority on Elvis, authenticated the shoes, adds further credibility to their historical significance and adds creedence to what ought to be called the "Velvet Elvis Nexus." The shoes' association with Elvis' performance of the song "Blue Suede Shoes" is obvious, as Elvis sang, "Lay off of my blue suede shoes."

This relevance to song history further enhances their value. Performances of that song were key moments in Elvis' rise to fame, capturing the hearts of audiences nationwide.

Stray facts

Interestingly, although Elvis is famously associated with the song was originally written and performed by Carl Perkins, a Tennessee-born singer-songwriter. However, his rendition of the song helped solidify its place in rock 'n' roll history, making it one of the defining tracks of his career. The song was featured as the opening track on side one of his debut studio album, Elvis Presley (1956), which played a crucial role in catapulting him to stardom (though “Heartbreak Hotel" was his first hit single).

Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge emphasized the significance of these shoes in Elvis' legacy, stating that the price reflects the importance of the footwear; "When you think of Elvis, you probably think of upturned collars, Las Vegas and blue suede shoes." Aldridge also noted that the sale highlights the enduring fascination with Elvis, nearly five decades after his untimely death at the age of 42 in 1977.

Elvis Presley remains a towering figure in music history, often hailed as the King of Rock 'n' Roll (though some might say that title belongs to someone like Little Richard or Chuck Berry). His influence extends far beyond his music, as he helped shape the cultural landscape of the 20th century (though, for some, his image was tarnished by openly aligning himself with Nixon's so-called "Silent Majority").

The sale of these blue suede shoes is just one example of how his legacy continues to captivate fans and collectors alike, who commonly consider him one of the greatest artists of all time.