Why are there So Many Elvis Impersonators?
Why does his music still sell? Simply stated, Elvis was the right man, in the right place, at the right time. First of all, Elvis was the right man. Presley, who was born in Tupelo, Miss., on January 8, 1935, lives the story of a self made man who rose from poverty to stardom. During the early parts of his life, Presley was exposed to different types of music such as blues, jazz, and gospel, all of which were to later become the elements of rock `n roll. But Elvis Presley, the person, was much more than just a musician, and represented much more for society than just another singer. People identified with Presley, especially the younger generation. “Part of his attraction was the teenagers in the`50s who viewed him as epitomizing everything they thought their parents feared they would become — cocky, slick, brash, tough, black-leatherclad, motorcycle straddling, stiletto-shoed” (www1.chron.com). In time, the parents themselves came to respect his wealth, his power, his generosity, and
In a nutshell, there is still a significant amount of money to be made in the service of the King, and one could do worse than pay impressionistic tribute to someone who brought a lot of happiness to millions of fans while he was still alive and in good health. Any sincere Elvis impersonator, regardless of vocal talent, is generally well-received by his or her audience, many of whom still have fond memories of the real Elvis Presley. One reason there are so many Elvis impersonators is the availability of costumes, props and musical backing tapes to support the effort. Elvis’s appearance changed dramatically over the years, but many impersonators focus exclusively on his later years, when he performed in Las Vegas and public arenas almost exclusively. An Elvis stage costume would consist of a heavily sequined white jumpsuit with an exaggerated collar and a neckline which opened to the navel. This type of costume can be readily duplicated on a shoestring budget, provided a basic 1970s st
They are never gonna be like Elvis, they are never gonna sing like Elvis, they are never gonna dance like Elvis, and they are never gonna be Elvis. So why do we always have these Elvis impersonators. If you have a comment about this let me know. But I have a few parting words. Yes Elvis is the King and he always will be. But let the man rest in peace and quit trying to be him.
