What Do You Think Of Elvis Impersonators?

[Dudcowboy_1]

Dang I'm typo king. But in first line what I was saying. You can tell which ones love Elvis and which ones are in for it for money and fame.

[elvis1970nl]

I think you don't wanna know what I think about impersonators , it might get me kicked of this board

[iamhekev]

You don"t mean do you?

KEV.

[Dudcowboy_1]

You know I kept my mouth pretty clean up til right about now. You know that saying "Don't judge the cover of the book, before you read it?" Well don't judge any of use until you know why we do this for living. And don't you type behind a computer and tell me I don't love Elvis. Because your wrong. I love that man because what he stood for, the American Dream a boy came from being poor to being a international hero. And how he loved his fans and would do anything for them even sing infront of them with temp of 102. (Listen to Feb. 15, 1973 and Aug.1, 1976 concert) I don't see any other singer back then or today that would go on stage if they had runny noise. And he never forgot who got him there. The Fan's to many singers forget that. Elvis never forgot.

I worked hard get where I am. I spent over $8000 in suits to bring back memories for Elvis fans. Like I said if I did not have family i had put food and Roof over there head. I would do this for free.

But don't sit behind a computer and judge someone because they are trying bring back memories for you folks. Elvis fans. Until you gone to a show not a show where someone has a $25.00 jumpsuit on. But someone who had Bill or Glen make the jumpsuit like I did. I have Red Lion, Peacock, Dragon, and Mad Tiger. All made by Glen. And do you ever think for one min I don't love Elvis. Because I love that man.

[minni1]

I have no use for them. If that's the way they want to express their admiration for Elvis, whatever. But I think it's sad when people, usually women, act as if they are really seeing Elvis during a ETA performance.

[Dudcowboy_1]

And how you figure that ever been to show? They usually call me Tim not Elvis and if they do I usually go "Does she know I'm not Elvis?" So like I said don't judge the cover of the book until you read a little about the book.

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

And how you figure that ever been to show? They usually call me Tim not Elvis and if they do I usually go "Does she know I'm not Elvis?" So like I said don't judge the cover of the book until you read a little about the book.

I think people should do whatever they want with regards to how they want to express themselves and their fandom, if you want to be a tribute artist and you do it in a respectful way then great! I think people hate the $2.00 suits and the fat blokes who give Elvis a bad Image. There are some great tribute artists out there who do a good job and take it seriously, there is a market out there and they are filling a gap. Go for it Dudcowboy and don't take everyones comments to seriously

[elvis1970nl]

You don"t mean do you?

KEV.

Yes Kev, is what I mean

But I respect anybody that loves them.

We are not all the same, but to answer your question, yep I dislike them.

[buttonhead]

And how you figure that ever been to show? They usually call me Tim not Elvis and if they do I usually go "Does she know I'm not Elvis?" So like I said don't judge the cover of the book until you read a little about the book.

you mean get to know that person a little before they judge the man/woman ?...i always get a little confuse when someone use the cover, the book judge $%^@#&*#^ i think that people here are in two different roads ,...one who dont like EP impersonator ( i am one of them ) and one who love them .. i think that what Matt ( jumpsuit Junkie ) said will be all apply to you about your profession of being a tribute artist, but it doesnt gonna change my opinion about the impersonator...

[howardrobardhughes]

Dudcowboy_1:
Some posters just LIKE TO give you a hard time...if they sense that you might be a bigger Elvis fan than them...then they try to cut you down..chill out.....they don't have a clue..
keep rockin'
Wade

You know I kept my mouth pretty clean up til right about now. You know that saying "Don't judge the cover of the book, before you read it?" Well don't judge any of use until you know why we do this for living. And don't you type behind a computer and tell me I don't love Elvis. Because your wrong. I love that man because what he stood for, the American Dream a boy came from being poor to being a international hero. And how he loved his fans and would do anything for them even sing infront of them with temp of 102. (Listen to Feb. 15, 1973 and Aug.1, 1976 concert) I don't see any other singer back then or today that would go on stage if they had runny noise. And he never forgot who got him there. The Fan's to many singers forget that. Elvis never forgot.

I worked hard get where I am. I spent over $8000 in suits to bring back memories for Elvis fans. Like I said if I did not have family i had put food and Roof over there head. I would do this for free.

But don't sit behind a computer and judge someone because they are trying bring back memories for you folks. Elvis fans. Until you gone to a show not a show where someone has a $25.00 jumpsuit on. But someone who had Bill or Glen make the jumpsuit like I did. I have Red Lion, Peacock, Dragon, and Mad Tiger. All made by Glen. And do you ever think for one min I don't love Elvis. Because I love that man.

[EP4MEUK]

I am never too sure about this one. I can not say with hand on heart that I personally like them but on the other hand I can see why some do it. In defence of ETA'S it is a reasurrance to us fellow Elvis fans that they will help in keeping Elvis' music and image alive and keep doing what they enjoy and there is nothing wrong with that. I do however leave my reservations and thoughts on this subject open since I have never been to see an ETA and I know there are some excellent ones out there and some really bad ones too.Thats just my thoughts on the subject but keep doing what you enjoy for life is too short not too.

Love and peace,
Susan.

[veronik]

I think people should do whatever they want with regards to how they want to express themselves and their fandom, if you want to be a tribute artist and you do it in a respectful way then great! I think people hate the $2.00 suits and the fat blokes who give Elvis a bad Image. There are some great tribute artists out there who do a good job and take it seriously, there is a market out there and they are filling a gap. Go for it Dudcowboy and don't take everyones comments to seriously

My opinion on Elvis impersonators?

[paulsweeney]

Does this express my feelings clearly enough -

[yiddle yisa]

ETA's ---- they're cool for people my age to experiance a "small part of Elvis" even though it really isnt him....i enjoyed it...but its not the same as the REAL Elvis would be....i actually think ETA's are people who think they are keepin Elvis alive...my opinion on that, im not too interested in revealing...

- Lisa

[nabelt24]

I have seen some incredibly HORRIBLE impersonators that consider themselves the closest thing to Elvis himself. Some of these guys have "brain-malfunctions"! On the other hand, I have seen a few that are very respectful to his image and understand that they are not Elvis. They just enjoy singing and performing his music. Some are very exceptional. Though, we all know there will never be another Elvis Presley.

[Indre]

I DON'T LIKE those impersonators AT ALLLLL!!! They may be really good, but I hate to see someone imitating Elvis. He is unique and imitating him is not a good idea, to my mind And if some guy, not even of similar looks to Elvis, starts waving his hips and imitating Elvis' voice, I simply CAN'T STAND that
The most funny thing to me is when those impersonators wear Elvis-like suit from the 1970s and their hair is done 1950s' style OK, I don't want to pour only hatred here, I understand those are simply people and their making money like that, but if I were in their shoes, I would never dare to do that

[minni1]

Jamie Aaron Kelley is the best I've heard, he has his own natural voice, and sounds just like Elvis did in his 20's. Jamie is only 24 years old, so no "pot belly" and corny jumpsuit! He's also a genuine Elvis fan, like the rest of us here

Keith

I agree, Keith! Jamie A Kelley is a doll, it's eerie how much his voice sounds like Elvis, naturally. I haven't ever seen him perform, but have spoken with him, and heard him sing, both Elvis' songs, as well as some of his own material. From what I've seen, he is very respectful of Elvis, and doesn't "imitate" Elvis, but rather truly pays tribute to him in a most beautiful way!

[pacer1965]

Sorry but I cannot stand Elvis impersonators And I have seen a few in the past,but never again

[elvisdownunder]

i am not an Elvis impersonator, i can't stand them either. but i do sing Elvis songs whenevr i have the oppurtunity. and i perform him to the best of my ability, without becoming a total goof. i have watched movies TTWII and EOT many times, and have listened to cd's over and over again to get close. i personally think i've done an EXCELLENT job. i sung how great thou art at a funeral, hawaiian wedding song at a wedding, and even made people cry singing Danny boy. i feel Elvis is very proud of me, and i am only 14 everybody. but E IMPERSONATORS, CURSE THEM!!

[AKing]

Okay, having read all the posts here, I wanted to give my prospective on this topic. You see, I was a singer for 18 years between 1980 and 1998. I sang in a total of three bands and then solo for the last 9 years of the 18. I played the clubs, pubs, did a little TV. had a song writing contract etc etc...

In short I sang 50's and 60's music, and some of my own songs...I always loved singing Roy Orbison, The Platters, Eddie Cochran, and all of the great songs from that period....But I always included Elvis songs in my act.
I never wore jumpsuits or did a tribute to him, but always loved to add a few of his songs.

In my travels I saw many Elvis Impersonator/tribute artists... I never really thought much of them - the ones I saw anyway.

I feel that Elvis had so much talent that nobody could do him justice. just my feeling. I also feel that ETA's as they are now called, do a great job by their standard (or at least the best they can) with good intentions.

Without wanting to sound big headed, I never sang an Elvis song and tried to sound like him, because you simply can't, he was unique...

You can sing in the same style and do your best to relay a message of how good he was to an audience, but only ELVIS was ELVIS.... The best tribute artist might have 10% of Elvis' talent, which is a good standard! He was just so far above anybody past, present or future....

With that said I would like to offer a song I'd love for you to listen to...Not for any self praise or anything, just because I feel that if more "ETA's" just sang with their own voice and stopped trying to be Elvis (an impossible task) that there might be more respect for the genre.....
Anyway, Right click the link and "Save Target As" if you would like to hear me sing "Mine"......
A King

Mine