Elvis Impersonators Carry on The Elvis Tradition of Giving

Music for Charity

Recently there was a fundraising concert in Bangkok and I am of course pleased to report that they are big Elvis Fans in Thailand too!!

I am excited about the possibility of performing in Bangkok later this year in October, to mark the official launch and the inaugural Charity Ball for a new "Cancer Organisation", (the name which is yet to be released), which will benefit the underprivileged from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma.

The following is a recent article from "The Nation" newspaper in Bangkok on 5th February this year:

"Music for Charity

HRH Princess Somsavali presides over the charity concert 'Fabulous '60s - Return of Elvis and the Beatles', at the Petchpailin Grand Ballroom of the Windsor Suites on Sukhumvit Soi 20.

Proceeds from the show will benefit the Friends in Need Volunteers Foundation, the Thai Red Cross Society, the Old People's Home Zonta 7, and the Kidney, Heart and Eye Fund Zonta 4."

Andy Stankovich
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Elvis The Voice
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www.ElvisTheVoice.com
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One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonators

Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley Sing Together

The Frank Sinatra Show "Welcome Home Elvis" - a slice of musical history, this 1960 special sees the two legends together. Elvis and Frank sing a medley of "Love Me Tender" and "Witchcraft", while Elvis sings "Stuck On You" and "Fame & Fortune". It has been released on DVD.

It is also known as The Frank Sinatra Timex Special: Welcome Home Elvis.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

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One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Was a Black Belt Karate Expert

Elvis developed an interest in karate while in the Army and on March 21, 1960 he received his first degree black belt.

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That was 47 years ago today.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Impersonators on Australian Footy Show

The Footy Show (Melbourne, Australia)

The Melbourne Footy Show has featured several Elvis themes including editions around August 16 in 1996 and 1997. An Elvis Impersonator (or Elvis Tribute Artist) appeared in 1997 singing two songs.

A Viva Las Vegas theme was also used in the closing episode to the 1999 season and Aboriginal footballer, Nicky Elvis Windmar is a regular guest.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Homer Simpson is an Elvis Impersonator too!!

Even The Simpsons get in on the act!

Viva Las Simpsons - despite its Homer "Elvis" Simpson cover (above) where Homer appears complete with black Elvis wig, white jumpsuit and microphone, there is actually no Elvis story on the four stories on this DVD of the popular TV series.

In one episode (Viva Ned Flanders) we do however get to hear Elvis singing Viva Las Vegas and there is a smattering of secondary jump-suited characters.

The Simpsons is also notable for its opening credits scenes that include Bart repeatedly writing on the blackboard 'I did not see Elvis'.

Andy Stankovich
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Elvis The Voice
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www.ElvisTheVoice.com
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One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Who is Behind Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.?

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is a corporate entity created by the "Elvis Presley Trust" to conduct business and manage its assets.

After Elvis Presley's death, his ex-wife Priscilla Presley turned the singer's former estate, Graceland, into a moneymaker. She became the chairwoman and president of Elvis Presley Enterprises. After Graceland opened to the public in 1982, the enterprise's fortunes soared and eventually the trust grew to be worth over $100 million.

Later, EPE was wholly owned by the "Elvis Presley Trust" and Presley's daughter, Lisa Marie Presley until February 2005, when Robert F.X. Sillerman and his new media and entertainment company "CKX, Inc." acquired an 85% interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., including its physical and intellectual properties. Lisa Marie Presley retains a 15% ownership in the company and continues to be involved, as does her mother Priscilla Presley.

The company endeavors to turn Elvis Presley's former estate into an international tourist destination.
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Andy Stankovich
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Elvis The Voice
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www.ElvisTheVoice.com
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One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis is Still "The King of Rock 'n Roll"

Elvis is known throughout the world as the “King of Rock ’n Roll.” Over one billion of his records have been sold. Elvis starred in 31 feature films as an actor, gave over 1,100 concert performances, and received numerous awards.

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Graceland, Elvis Presley’s home, is the most famous home in America after the White House, attracting over 600,000 visitors every year.

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In 1970, Elvis went to the White House to offer his assistance to then-President Nixon in the nation’s war on drugs.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

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One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Presley's First Guitar Cost $12.95

Elvis gets his first guitar in 1946.

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It cost $12.95 at the Tupelo Hardware Store.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis' Pink Cadillac

Elvis purchased the famous pink Cadillac for his mother in 1957 at the same time that he purchased his mansion "Graceland".

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Joined The Army 49 Years Ago

In March, 1958, Elvis was inducted into the U.S. Army at the Memphis Draft Board and is assigned serial number 53310761.

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Private Presley went to Fort Hood, Texas for basic training and was stationed there for six months.

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In September of 1958, Elvis boards the USS. Randall and sails to Germany, arriving on October 1. He will be stationed in Friedberg for 18 months, maintaining an off-base residence in Bad Nauheim.

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1960 begins with a promotion to Sergeant.

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Elvis returns from Germany on March 2nd and is officially discharged from military service on March 5.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Had a Pet Chimpanzee

Elvis once owned a pet chimpanzee called "Scatter."

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Was Related to Abraham Lincoln

Elvis is a direct descendant of Abraham Lincoln's great-great grandfather, Isaiah Harrison.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

More Elvis Facts From an Elvis Tribute Artist

Elvis loved football very much and often had three televisions set up at Graceland to watch all of the games.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Tribute Artist Shares More Facts

Elvis was a distant cousin of President Jimmy Carter.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Tribute Artist Shares More Facts

Elvis sang the gospel song "Peace In The Valley" on The Ed Sullivan Show even though Sullivan asked him not to.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists and Elvis Impersonator

Elvis Tribute Artist "Elvis Facts"

Elvis was mentioned in Shania Twain's song "That Don't Impress Me Much."

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis Tribute Artist pays Tribute

Elvis once attended a concert for singer Connie Francis, but left for emotional reasons when he heard her sing the Italian song "Mama" as his mother had just recently died.

The picture above is of a young Elvis with his beloved mother.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

Hi . . . . I'm Andy Stankovich .... "Elvis The Voice"

My passion is singing Elvis Presley songs. It always came naturally, and I never trained my voice or practiced.

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It was my friends that told me how natural my sound was.

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Maybe it is just because it comes not from my voice... but from my heart.

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To see so many people enjoy what I am able to share is an enormous bonus to me.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley artists

Elvis Tribute Artist Finds Great Quotes About Elvis

"If you're an Elvis fan, no explanation is necessary; If you're not an Elvis fan, no explanation is possible."

(George Klein)

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

Famous Quotes About "The King"

"For a dead man, Elvis Presley is awfully noisy."

(Professor Gilbert B. Rodman)

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis (or his hip movement) was a Ratings Bonanza for Milton Berle

Elvis' appearance on the final episode (ever) of the Milton Berle Show in June of 1956 was broadcast in color, and was considered the most scandelous, overtly sexual performance ever shown on television for many years to come.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

An Elvis Quote

Elvis Presley:

"The first time that I appeared on stage, it scared me to death. I really didn't know what all the yelling was about. I didn’t realize that my body was moving. It's a natural thing to me. So to the manager backstage I said 'What'd I do? What'd I do?' And he said 'Whatever it is, go back and do it again."

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

Elvis Tribute Artist's Facts About Elvis

Even today, Elvis' legacy of being generous is still alive with his fans keeping up his tradition in his name. Most recently, ElvisMatters, an Elvis club in Belgium invited paralyzed 17 year old Michiel Stroobans, to join them on their annual trip to Graceland all expenses paid.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

Elvis Impersonators Facts About Elvis

Elvis has dated a number of women, before marrying Priscilla. He dated actress Natalie Wood briefly early on in his career. He dated his G.I. Blues co-star actress/dancer Juliet Proswe briefly. He dated actress Connie Stevens for a short period of time. He dated co-star Anne Helm during the filming of Follow That Dream. He dated actresses Regina Carrol and Ann-Margaret for a short time both of whom he met while filming Viva Las Vegas.

He once dated actress Cybill Shepherd. Many loyal Elvis fans wish that he'd married her rather than Priscilla. His last relationship was with Ginger Alden. They were together from November 1976 until his death; they were reportedly engaged.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis tribute artists

The Beatles Meet The King

When the Beatles first came to America in 1965, Elvis was the only person they wanted to meet. On August 27, they got their wish. According to John Lennon, they spent an entirely enjoyable evening at the Presley home in Bel Air, California, talking, singing and laughing with each other. Afterwards, Lennon said they enjoyed his company very much, Elvis thought that the Beatles were a bad influence on America's youth.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Was Elvis Ever a Truck Driver?

Elvis worked in a variety of jobs before his music carrier began. For example, during his sophomore year, he worked in his high school library. In 1953, he worked at the Precision Tool Company in Memphis. He also worked as an usher, and once, for $1.25 per hour; a truck-driver.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

The King Meets President Nixon

Elvis once wrote a letter to then President Richard Nixon, asked to become an undercover narcotics agent. President Nixon responded by providing Elvis with a special agent badge for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis and Graceland

Elvis purchased his famous Graceland mansion (along with the now infamous pink Cadillac for his mother) in 1957. In 1982, Priscilla opened Graceland to the public, claiming the funds were necessary to maintain the property. Today, Graceland is the second most-visited house in America after the White House, Highway 51 which runs in front of Graceland, was officially renamed Elvis Presley Boulevard.

On August 29, 1977, there was an attempt to steal Elvis' body, but it failed. Because of that, Vernon Presley received approval from the Memphis Adjustment Board to allow reinterment of Elvis and his mother Gladys Presley bodies to the Meditation Garden behind Graceland.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Great Quotes About The King

"I wasn't just a fan, I was his brother...there'll never be another like that soul brother"

(Soul legend, James Brown)

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis Purchases Roosevelt's Presidential Yacht

In early 1964 Elvis purchases the Potomac, former presidential yacht of Franklin Roosevelt, for $55,000.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?

Have I Told You Lately That I Love You?

(words & music by Scott Wiseman)

Have I told you lately that I love you?
Could I tell you once again somehow?
Have I told with all my heart and soul how I adore you?
Well darling I’m telling you now

Have I told you lately when I’m sleeping
Every dream I dream is you somehow?
Have I told you why the nights are long
When you're not with me?
Well darling I’m telling you now

My heart would break in two if I refuse you
I’m no good without you anyhow
And have I told you lately that I love you
Well darling I’m telling you now

My heart would break in two if I refuse you
I’m no good without you anyhow
And have I told you lately that I love you
Well darling I’m telling you now

*****

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

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One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists and Elvis Impersonators

Elvis' Favourite Books

The Holy Bible and The Impersonal Life were Elvis' two favorite books.

The picture above is of Elvis' personal Bible

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis' Hall of Fame

In 1956, Elvis released his first RCA single, had his first television appearance, and his first movie release.

Throughout 2006, Elvis Presley Enterprises celebrated the 50th Anniversary of the year Elvis became a superstar, which was the lightning rod for the controversy of early rock 'n' roll.

Elvis is one of only few artists, include Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, inducted into both The Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame and The Country Music Hall of Fame.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis and Priscilla Divorce

Priscilla and Elvis get divorced on October 9, 1973. Although Priscilla has custody of Lisa Marie, Elvis was still very close to both of them.

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Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis in "Kissin' Cousins"

Elvis records and shoots for his fifteenth motion picture, Kissin’ Cousins in October of 1963.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis Donates $50,000

With his huge generosity always evident, in July, 1964, Elvis donates $50,000 to the Motion Picture Relief Fund, reportedly the largest single donation the organization has ever received up to this date. Barbara Stanwyck and Frank Sinatra accepted the gift.

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The bottom photo is with Barbara Stanwyck and Bud Abbott!

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Ed Sullivan Loved Elvis Too... Or Was It The Ratings

Elvis' infamous Ed Sullivan Show appearance--where he is filmed only from the waste up--was from his third and final appearance on the show in January 1957. His first two appearances were broadcast without censorship.

Elvis' appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show broke ratings records set by I Love Lucy in the 1953 birth of Little Ricky episode. Elvis' Neilsen ratings record would not be broken until the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan in 1964.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Aloha From Hawaii..With Just One Billion of his Closest Friends

Elvis' Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite was the first TV show to be seen by over a billion people. It also was ranked #1 in the US television ratings.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis Quote...

Elvis Presley: (on performing onstage)

"It's like a surge f electricity going through you. It's almost like making love, but it's even stronger than that... Sometimes I think my heart is going to explode."

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

A Grown Up Lisa Marie

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Happy Birthday Lisa Marie Presley

February 1, 1968, nine months to the day of their wedding, Priscilla gives birth to Lisa Marie Presley.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

Elvis and The USS Arizona Memorial

March 25, 1961 found Elvis at the Bloch Arena at Pearl Harbor. His performance and support raised money and awareness which enabled the USS Arizona Memorial to be completed the following year. This was Elvis’ last live, non-movie performance until his 1968 television special.

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

"Almost Elvis"…..The Unusual and Bewildering World of Elvis Impersonators! (Part 19)

But what is the motivation from the fans perspective? Why the fans interest? - why the longevity?

Why are so many fans still captivated by watching Elvis impersonators? Why do people flock to see impersonators of varying professionalism?

Arguably, the answer lies in a deep-seated psychological need on the part of many fans to re-live the magic, emotional security and joy that Elvis brings them. Symbolically (as in Henderson's Elvis/Dionysus comparison) the impersonator experience for fans mirrors the feelings produced listening to or watching Elvis at home, but extends these to the arena of the "live performance".

The sexual athleticism, the sultry good looks, the reassuring musical sound, these all integrate to create the "needed" experience. Watching an impersonator allows many fans to escape the prosaic or mundane parts of their life, albeit for only a few hours, and escape to the realms of their fantasy world where Elvis reassures and enriches their psyche.

The impersonator therefore serves as a very important (and good enough) psychological tool or link between the fan and Elvis - as John Paget perceptively titled his documentary, they're….'Almost Elvis'.

END OF SERIES

This series of articles are reprinted with the kind permission of www.elvisinfonet.com

Thanks again Nigel!!

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

"Almost Elvis"…..The Unusual and Bewildering World of Elvis Impersonators! (Part 18)

Why Elvis?: A pivotal question to be considered is why is the Elvis impersonator industry a phenomenon? Why has it lasted so long and continued to grow from year to year?

There are impersonators of other artists: The Beatles, Marilyn Monroe, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Neil Diamond, Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton to name a few all have a number of acts who 'impersonate' them.

The difference between these stars and Elvis is the vast numbers of people 'doing Elvis', so many that it is an industry. So what is it about Elvis that creates this industry? William McCranor Henderson offers one explanation for the phenomenon comparing Elvis to the Greek God Dionysus:

"Like Elvis, Dionysus was young and nocturnal and inspired mindless passion from women, who went crazy in his presence. Even in those primitive days, orgiastic passion was seen as hostile to social order. But worship of Dionysus was so widespread that eventually it was tamed (as was Elvis), made public and official, and became the ritual basis for what we know as Greek tragedy."

In Henderson's theory Elvis the mortal possesses a special charisma that sees him raised to immortal status ('the ultimate meritocracy'). But wait there is more to Henderson's comparison:

"But most fascinating to me was the mask, the key functional link between Dionysus worship and its evolution into the secular ritual of tragedy (Greek tragic actors, like the priests of Dionysus, wore larger-than-life masks). The wearer of the mask (and here, of course, I wasn't thinking "mask" so much as Wig, Shades, jumpsuit) was himself - and yet not himself."

Henderson's theory allows us to more clearly see the allure of being an Elvii and the ongoing fascination in Elvii by the fans. By donning their Elvis attire, Elvii assume the power (charisma) of their god (Elvis).

This series of articles are reprinted with the kind permission of www.elvisinfonet.com

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists

"Almost Elvis"…..The Unusual and Bewildering World of Elvis Impersonators! (Part 17)

Unusual Impersonator Crusades: One of the more unusual activities involving an Elvis impersonator happened earlier in 2002. Los Angeles based impersonator, Mark W. Curran, undertook a 30 day trek across America's famous Route 66 in his 'Elvis Across America Roadathon'. His objective was to draw attention to the heritage values of the highway and places along the route.

And speaking of touring, another of the more unusual happenings involving Elvii occurred during (President) Bill Clinton's "King of the Road" pre-election bus tour in 1992. Texas Republicans interrupted the tour across the state with Elvis impersonators following his route. The white jumpsuited Elvii sang and distributed bologna sandwiches as part of "The Don't Be Fooled Tour" - "Bill Clinton thinks he's Elvis, but we've got the real thing" stated GOP spokesperson Mark Sanders. We indeed live in a strange world!

Mecca, the Vatican and Heaven: For many impersonators (and fans) there is an almost religious significance to their performance. Not only is Memphis regarded as Mecca, Graceland as the Vatican and Las Vegas as Heaven, but the issue of redemption is also raised. Without delving into the religious connotations of present day Elvis worship (which is a study in itself) it is enough to note that the Catholic traditions of rituals, relics and icons are ever present in the way the Elvis world is conducted (and this neatly leads us into our final two areas of consideration).

This series of articles are reprinted with the kind permission of www.elvisinfonet.com

Andy Stankovich

Elvis The Voice

www.ElvisTheVoice.com

One of the world's great Elvis Presley tribute artists