Elvis Presley's other Memphis home up for sale

CHICAGO, Apr 22 (Reuters) It isn't Graceland. But if psychic Uri Geller has his way, another Memphis house once owned by Elvis Presley will become a museum honoring ''the king of rock 'n' roll.'' The four-bedroom home that Presley owned in 1956 -- the year ''Heartbreak Hotel'' and ''Love Me Tender'' hit the charts -- is for sale on the eBay online auction site (http://www.ebay.com), and the Israeli-born, spoon-bending paranormalist is among the bidders.

Geller, who met Presley in Las Vegas in the 1970s and owns a collection of Elvis memorabilia, said he wants to turn the 3,000-square-foot (280-sq-metres) home into a museum with a twist.

''It will have all the bizarre things that Elvis Presley believed in,'' including his fascination with UFOs, Geller told Reuters. ''He was ahead of his time.'' According to the listing on eBay, Presley bought the ranch house at 1034 Audubon Dr with royalties he earned from the hit song ''Heartbreak Hotel.'' It was the first house the superstar bought, according to www.elvistyle.com.

Presley lived in the house for 13 months with his parents before moving to Graceland, a 14-acre estate in Memphis. The property features a swimming pool and the hallway showcases musical note themed wallpaper from 1956, according to the online listing.

Geller faced a setback on Friday when his 300,000 dollars bid for the property was topped by someone willing to pay 300,100 dollars.

But Geller, who lives in London, said he was unbowed and would increase his bid substantially.

''If I was Bill Gates, I would bid as much as I can,'' Geller said. ''But I also have my limits. Hopefully, though, I will be able to go up and up and up and get it. I have good faith.'' The auction ends May 14.

Reuters SC VP0422