Bernard Lansky
1927 – November 16, 2012
Bernard Lansky was a longtime Memphis clothing retailer who, along with his brother, Guy Lansky owned Lansky Brothers on Beale Street. Since the early ’50s, the Lansky brothers helped create a visual image for celebrities who appreciated their store’s simple yet classic suits. The long list of their musical clientele over the years included Rob Orbison, Isaac Hayes, Robert Plant, Dr. John, Johhny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, B.B. King, Steven Tyler, and most famously, Elvis Presley. One day back in 1952, Bernard invited a 17-year-old Presley into the store after seeing him continually window-shop outside his store. Presley, who was working at a local movie theater at the time, remarked to Bernard that he was going to buy him out if he ever made enough money. To that Bernard replied, “Don’t buy me, buy from me!”, and that is exactly what Presley did when he ultimately made it big. It was Lansky who put Presley in the suit he wore for that first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show. And from then on, Presley was one of Lansky Broters’ most loyal customers, and in return, the Lanskys opened the shop for him late at night so he could shop in peace and even hand-delivered suits to Graceland to try on. When Presley died in 1977, it was Bernard who selected the suit and tie that he was buried in. Bernard Lansky was 85 when he passed away on November 16, 2012.
Thanks to Henk de Bruin for the asssist.
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