Blue suede shoes worn by Elvis Presley sell for six-figures at auction

A piece of rock 'n' roll history has just changed hands, as a pair of Elvis Presley's legendary blue suede shoes have sold for a whopping six figures to a discerning collector in California. The iconic footwear, once worn by the King of Rock 'n' Roll himself, was auctioned off on Friday by esteemed English-based firm Henry Aldridge & Son LTD. The auction house, renowned for its high-profile sales, brought together bidders from around the world to compete for the chance to own a piece of music royalty.

How much would you pay for Elvis' relic pair of blue suede shoes?

A pair of size 10 and a half blue suede shoe shoes were a staple in Elvis Presley's wardrobe during the 1950s. Elvis' iconic footwear made a splash on both the stage and television during his illustrious career, with one notable instance being his performance of "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You" on The Steve Allen Show in 1956. It made a significant splash at the auction house, selling for a cool $120,000. The sale fell just shy of the estimated range of $126,000 to $151,000 anticipated by Henry Aldridge & Son.

According to the auction listing, Elvis' close friend and ranch foreman, Alan Fortas, had been entrusted with the care of a special pair of shoes since Elvis gifted them to him just before leaving for the army. The shoes have a fascinating history, as they were given away by Elvis himself during an impromptu gathering at Graceland following an all-night party. During this memorable evening, Elvis summoned a few close friends to his private quarters, where he shared some of his personal belongings, including this unique pair of shoes.

These shoes have been verified as genuine by Jimmy Velvet, a longtime acquaintance of Elvis Presley's and the founder of the Elvis Presley Museum. The shoes have had a notable exhibition history, having been showcased in various museums, including the Elvis-A-Rama Museum in Las Vegas.

Presley's iconic song "Blue Suede Shoes" was actually written by Carl Perkins, a talented singer-songwriter from Tennessee. However, it was Elvis who brought the song to the masses, making it his own with his distinctive vocals and memorable lyrics, including the catchy phrases "But don't you step on my blue suede shoes / Well you can do anything but / Lay off of my blue suede shoes." This classic tune is featured as the opening track on Elvis's debut studio album, which showcases his early style and talent.