QUIZ – What Lies Beneath (Melody Land)

Wow. You guys are gooood! Full answer’s after the jump! :)

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Today’s little quiz takes us to Northridge. No hints this time… can you figure out what’s unique about this property?

Just to remind you, here’s how this little game goes… we’ll show you a spot on a google map (see below). We’re thinking of something notable that once happened or existed a stone’s throw from the point on that map. Within 24 hours we’ll give you the full details… but as always, we’re going to give you a fair amount of time to guess what we’re referring to first. We encourage you not to cheat by googling the address and if you know the answer right away please try not to announce it too quickly and ruin the game for the people who don’t.

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This home’s unique because…

it was once the beloved home of devoted Elvis Presley impersonator Danny Uwnawich.

Danny (who performed as “Danny U” but I’ll be darned if I can find any photos or video of his act) re-envisioned his 1957 10,000 square foot abode as Melody Land, a scaled-down version of Graceland, and held a grand unveiling in 1991.

On the 14th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, the Northridge resident unveiled Melody Land, his $1-million replica of Presley’s Graceland mansion, after four years of construction. The two-story Georgian house features gold-plated sinks and Italian toilets shaped as crouching lions. Elvis’ favorite jelly doughnuts were served for breakfast, while Uwnawich walked about in spangles talking in a down-home, “Thangyaveramuch” drawl.

“If it wasn’t for Elvis I wouldn’t be who I am,” said Uwnawich, 37, who tours as Elvis eight months a year. But he insists he knows who he is and who he is not, even if he does plan to move Elvis’ old couch into his house.

Added Tony Wood, one of Uwnawich’s bodyguards, collectively dubbed the Melody Land Mafia in tribute to Elvis’ Memphis Mafia bodyguards: “Everybody who idolizes somebody tries to copy them a little.” (SOURCE)

At Melody Land’s opening, Danny was heard to say he had undertaken Melody Land’s construction not as an obsessive King fixation, but because “it was a personal thing. I promised Elvis.”

On the 20th anniversary year of Elvis’ demise, Danny opened up Melody Land to the public for tours attended by thousands, and then shortly afterwards he decided he would retire and GIVE AWAY his hunka burnin’ home to a contest winner… on Elvis’ birthday. Yeah, you read right. Give it away. Property records show that Uwnawich parted with the home in 2002, it was up for sale in 2006, and he tried to buy it back in 2008 but was apparently unsuccessful. The new owners clearly aren’t as into The King… Melody Land is playing a much less elaborate tune now.`

In other words… Elvis has left the building. Thangyaveramuch.

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UPDATE!!! Thanks to fan Marlena, WE’VE FOUND A PHOTO OF DANNY U!