Elvis's Cadillac Couch (and even more cool stuff inside Orlando's Hard Rock Vault)

“Elvis’s Cadillac Couch”
(and even more cool stuff inside Orlando's Hard Rock Vault)

By Glenn Peppers                                                                 10-10-13

I love the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Florida! Never been? Then come inside with me and take a brief tour! Yes there is an actual Elvis Presley Cadillac Couch! Presley had one made patterned after his 1956 Caddy. It was in his basement. It is now (if it hasn’t been moved, as they exchange and move objects around to various Hard Rock Museums around the country) located inside The Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, Fl. My wife and I visited that very hip place some years back, and was given the grand tour of this one special section of the vault, inside the inner most location of the vault museum; as it was just about closing time, and the curator (who for obvious reasons shall remain nameless) was a former road manager for a good friend of mine's pretty famous band (who shall also remain nameless, for obvious reasons). There was no one else set to take the tour but us, so he offered to give wifey and me, one grand (personal) tour indeed! 

The Hard Rock Vault in Orlando Florida

During the tour of this multitude of really cool stuff (personal stuff I call it) that many great and iconic recording artist over many decades used and collected, over a hugh span of the rock and roll era; there was in this almost hidden chamber of the Hard Rock Vault, some of the most exclusive personal items I've ever seen from any one entertainer! Because no one else was around, once we were inside, it was then that we were allowed to closely examine at great length, a very dramatic, Little Richard outfit that he wore on The Ed Sullivan Show. Amazingly, there was still makeup on the lapels of his outfit, as the hot lights had began to melt Richard's makeup, as it ran down onto his suit lapels! 

I actually (yet gently) touched the sequins on Tina Turner's tiny gold dress that she wore on Ed Sullivan as well. I played with Yul Brynner's Beanie Cap that he wore in the movie "The King and I!" We both laughed at the thought of Olivia Newton John's lil' baby size 6 feet, as they had the very saddle shoes she wore in the movie "Grease," just sitting there out in the middle of the floor! There was even a James Brown stage outfit there. "My he was a little man" I thought to myself! I should talk, being not that far from his height! It was an outfit that the great James Brown made himself (as James Brown made most all of his own clothing for stage use). The outfit came complete with sweat stains and boots to match! This was unreal!

Everything was out in the open, and normally these items were never to be touched by anyone taking the inside tour; however my friend let us get up close and personal with almost any museum item on the tour, trusting us to respect and handle with care. As our curator guided us along, we saw rare posters and classic concert bill advertisements for shows in america and london. 

There were writings and song lyrics personally done by many recording artist hanging on the walls in frames. What was really cool was Janis Joplin's gorgeous colorful shawl! Wifey got a kick out of that piece! Janis was so petite! I was fascinated with John Lennon's “inside the cardboard cereal box lyrics.” John Lennon wrote the song "Help" on the underside of the back of a cereal box that he'd torn apart. Lennon did this, as there wasn't any paper available where they were staying at the time in order to write lyrics upon; at the time the lyrics for the song came to him. I even ran my fingers across Paul's Bass guitar to check and see if Paul McCartney’s Fiddle Bass was tuned... It was! 

Jimi Hendrix's Fender Strat

To my surprise, there was an old sunburst Fender Stratocaster guitar that sat in the middle of the floor, on a guitar stand that Jimi Hendrix once owned and played! It was looked worn, and was a classic possible 1963/64 Fender Stratocaster. It had a caption tagged on it, noting an unfinished song Hendrix was working on. You know I had to strum my fingers across the neck of that guitar, just once! It was tuned as well! It seemed to hum and sustain all by itself, as if plugged up!

I can never cover all of what was in the Beatles and Stone's section of the museum, there was just so much stuff to look at and read. Yet the one thing that did catch my eye in an instant was The Stones' former bass man, Bill Wyman's Fiberglass, Clear Bass Guitar! 

Jim Morrison's leather pants

One of the funniest things to me was Jim Morrison's little short leather pants that stood upright on a pedestal. I could have sworn Morrison was taller than that! At least he looked (and sounded) taller on TV. We finally reached the Elvis part of the tour; and believe me, it was very special, and interesting to say the least! 

Be ye an Elvis fan or not. I think any real classic rock and roll music fan would greatly enjoy this section of the tour! Elvis Presley had a huge a collection of many odd and unique possessions. Firearms (mainly photos) and some pretty wild furniture and wall hangings. Yet the items that floored me most was his collection of Pimp Clothing. 

Yes, I said it... Pimp Clothes! Who would have guessed that one? Elvis loved Pimp Hat's Capes, Walking Suits and Canes, as he had an affinity for Black Exploitation movies from the 1970's! I remember seeing and outright laughing all Elvis's plaid and fur capes, and gangster robin hood, and Borsalino hats they featured. Ole Elvis and even had photos of him wearing some of this pimp garb. Photos that as you know, they'll probably never show in public! I was undone to say the least!

Elvis would even pay some of the local Memphis movie theaters to stay open late some nights, and show black exploitation movies, and of course many other first run films for he and his entourage many a night. I thought that was so wild! I was amazed that the Hard Rock Vault even had a television set that was rumored to one that Elvis shot the picture tube out of with his 357 magnum pistol! And of course that Cadillac Couch. Yes it actually existed! 

Elvis's Cadillac Couch

Though a slight bit gaudy for my taste, I thought it was an amazingly cool thing to have, and it was in fact, "so very Elvis!" Both wifey and I were allowed to gently sit on it, and my curator buddy thankfully took our picture for us! We stayed in The Hard Rock Vault for seemingly hours, all the while exploring, reading, reminiscing, and mostly all done in silence except for our tour guides stories and rock wisdom. Overall, we were speechless! In fact, overwhelmed at the very idea of what we were exposed to; and all at one time! 

In that very spot -- that very location in a tourist city in Orlando, Florida. Tucked away in the strangest of archives... a commercialized theme museum, was the Indiana Jones, Rock and Roll Storage Treasure Vault of the ages, and we were smack dab in the middle of it! Recognizing this, we intently, and yet very careful went about, very gingerly, as not to brake or disturb anything, as all that we witnessed and experienced was indeed history! It all was apart of American Rock, Soul and R&B Music History. 

To put a finer point on it. This was history that we were allowed to touch, and ponder over, at our leisure! Given this rare privilege, we felt it was our personal responsibility to respect these items, as they were all personally, and affectionately donated, and cherished possessions, and the very tools of their trade, hand picked by the artist themselves. These pieces were items fan's around the world recognized, and loved them for by the millions. Items that in most any modern music fan's mind-scape of personal memories is (unbeknownst to most of us) what these artist were (and are) actually made of! These things were and are their Life-Gear! An actual extension of these entertainer's personalities, and art form! 

These trinkets were more than just clothes, or things they owned. These clothes and musical instruments and such were what they used to become who they were and still are! These were (for many) in fact the clothes these entertainers wore the very first times we ever saw them live or on TV, coming along as children! These instruments were the very Instruments they played in the studio, and live on stage. All those "Things" represented who they are, and how and why we remember them in our hearts and minds. That needed to be respected, and the best, honored!

One of Gene Simmons first Kiss outfits

I remember laughing at Gene Simmons first Kiss outfit when we came upon it at the Vault. It was amusing to know that all the spikes and so-called sharp cone edges and such was made up of a very thin plastic with an even thinner (breathable) nylon mesh, underlining the material! Funny, that suit always looked just like metal spikes on camera to me; did it to you? 


I thought that Madonna's dresser drawers/vanity was very interesting. It had a mess of items all over it, and within the drawers as well. This was the dresser drawers that Madonna left in her old apartment in New York back when Sire Records first signed her to a recording contract, back in the early 1980’s. Once she found out that they were signing her, Madonna left the place as is, leaving most everything she owned there. Including the dresser vanity, and everything in and on it!

Madonna's Like a Virgin Dress

Oh yeah, they even had Madonna's "Like a Virgin" wedding dress that she wore in the music video, and on the MTV music awards, right there. Boy Toy belt buckle and all! The Hard Rock Vault indeed was one of the coolest experiences I've ever had. And being an amateur music historian at heart, I saw it as a real blessing to be able to experience it. 

When I think about it. There were hundreds of other items, from many other artist inside the vault, and out on the main museum floor, outside of the vault that was overwhelmingly amazing to see! A multitude of items that I left out for good reason. You just have to go there, and experience for yourself!

It was fascinating to find out just how short in height the Beatles (especially Ringo Star) actualy were and are. Their outfits from their first Ed Sullivan appearance seemed so small. They even had the artist known as Princes' Trench Coat, and Boots from his "Controversy" album. Again, like I said about James Brown... “My Prince is so small!” And those high heel boots of his! Its amazing he can walk in those things, let alone dance in them! 

Elvis's original jumpsuit concept, behind protective bars

One of the coolest things to me was that the Vault had on display was Elvis's very first Jumpsuit that was designed for, and worn exclusively by him! No one touring this part of the place was ever to touch this item, as it was placed on a form fitted frame manikin, inside a corner caged area. An area which was guarded by real live prison-type bars protecting it, along with what looked to be some precious photos, and a guitar. 

All out of reach from an adoring public! In essence, it was a very simple jumpsuit, and not as glittery as his latter suits filled with jewels and eagles and that high collar and cape. It featured the classic wide belt, and was all done in a very basic cut and pattern. Very form fitting! As noted; that item was clearly completely off limits to everyone! 

So if you’re ever in Orlando Florida, and the theme parks become too much for you, I’d try and visit the Hard Rock Vault in Orlando, on American Way Drive. My buddy may not be apart of the tour guide staff there anymore, yet if he is, there’s a good chance that he may not be able to give you such a grand personalized tour like he gave wifey and me; but who knows! Catch him at closing time, and he might be able to oblige you, if he still works there! Remember now, this was a few years ago, so don't bet on it. 

When I saw the Elvis Cadillac Couch featured on a Facebook posting, memories of the Hard Rock Vault came rushing back to me, and I had to share this story with folks of whom I know would appreciate it! People who know that America was not just built on cars, flashy trends and crazy politics, but on its hard work, and its music, and the people who love it.  

By Glenn Peppers