Cushing Library ‘All Shook Up’

If you’re lucky like us, a man named Michael Jackson will give you a tour of the new Elvis Presley exhibit at Texas A&M University’s Cushing Library. Jackson (no relation to the actual King of Pop) is the curator of the exhibit, which was donated by longtime Texas A&M benefactor Sara Lindsey from her personal collection of memorabilia chronicling the life and times of the King of Rock ‘n Roll.

Expect the usual – pictures from his days as a G.I., posters and concert shots – as well as some surprises including a sweat-stained scarf, “pig Elvis” and a cookbook with his favorite recipes. Fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches anyone?

One particularly notable display chronicles his visits to Texas, including a concert he played at G. Rollie White Coliseum on the Texas A&M campus in 1955.

“He’s iconic and so many of us grew up with him,” notes Jackson, himself an Elvis memorabilia collector. “But even for today’s students who weren’t around when he was, they know of this amazing mystique and legend that lives on.”

   A centerpiece of the exhibit is the “Volcano Ring,” worn by Elvis at his famous 1973 Aloha From Hawaii concert. The ring was commissioned as a gift for Elvis by his wife Priscilla.

Exhibit donor Sara Lindsey poses with an Elvis impersonator at the Lindseys’ 40th wedding anniversary celebration. Mrs. Lindsey, a life-long Elvis fan, started her collection decades ago by collecting Elvis buttons and various souvenirs, and watched it grow over the years thanks to memorabilia she received as gifts from friends and family.

One of several photos in the exhibit documenting Elvis’ time as a G.I. He entered the U.S. Army in Memphis in 1958, leaving active duty at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1960 and receiving his discharge from the Army Reserve in 1964.

Elvis was known for many things like the gyrating hips and his elaborate costumes both represented here in the Concerts and Costumes section of the exhibit.

One of many fun and funny pieces of Elvis memorabilia.

The King: Celebrating the Sara H. Lindsey Collection of Elvis Memorabilia, on the second floor of the Cushing Memorial Library & Archives, will run through December 12 and is free and open to the public.

Lindsey and her husband John H. Lindsey, Texas A&M Class of 1944, have been devoted and active members of the Texas A&M community for the past several decades. John Lindsey has served in numerous roles at the university including president of the Association of Former Students, has received the 12th Man Award, was named a Distinguished Alumnus and was on the Board of Regents for The Texas A&M University System. The John H. Lindsey Building on campus is home to Texas A&M University Press.