ELVIS

Psychics are often drawn to Asheville, captivated by the belief that its powerful energy vortex amplifies psychic abilities and awakens a heightened sixth sense. Could this mystical energy explain the unusual events that unfolded on the stage of Asheville’s Civic Center on July 23, 1975? Did Elvis Presley experience a premonition of his impending death that evening? Was his latent psychic ability somehow amplified by the quartz-laden mountains encircling Asheville, triggering a vision of what was to come?

That night, during his performance, Elvis abruptly halted the show to call out to a young college student in the audience, Mike Harris. He invited Harris to the edge of the stage and, to everyone’s surprise, handed him his cherished Gibson Ebony Dove guitar. Harris, then 21, recalls never having met Elvis before that moment and remains baffled as to why the King of Rock 'n' Roll singled him out or why he was gifted such a prized possession. The guitar, given to Elvis by his father, held deep personal significance. Yet, Elvis’s generosity didn’t stop there.

In an extraordinary display, Elvis proceeded to give away diamond rings and a necklace—jewelry that was not mere costume but featured genuine gemstones. Among these was a ring adorned with a cluster of 19 diamonds. Witnesses to that night have speculated that Elvis appeared to be preparing for something profound, as if distributing his most precious belongings because he sensed he would no longer need them.

This concert marked Elvis’s final performance in Asheville. Although he was scheduled to return for another show, he never made it back. Just ten days before the engagement, Elvis passed away. The timing of his actions on that fateful July evening leaves lingering questions. Did Elvis glimpse his own end and, moved by this vision, feel compelled to part with his treasured possessions, including the guitar?

Growing up in Memphis, within the shadow of Graceland, I often heard whispers about Elvis possessing a sixth sense. Whether these stories were truth or myth, I cannot say. However, the enigmatic events of July 23, 1975, continue to stir curiosity and wonder about the possibility of a deeper connection between Elvis, Asheville’s energy, and the mysteries of fate.