What Do You Think Of Elvis Impersonators?

[SANDRA]

I think they should get themself a life...
Sorry,i don't like to hear or see Elvis impersonators at all

[elvisdownunder]

what if they were singing Elvis as a tribute, not as an insult, and doing a reasonably good job.

[SANDRA]

what if they were singing Elvis as a tribute, not as an insult, and doing a reasonably good job.

Hi elvisdownunder

Well,singing Elvis as a tribute i absolutley respect that, still i belive no one sounds just like him..
But dress up like him,talk like him and imitate his moves- this i will never understand...it looks so weird to me,like double personality or something....
To me there is only one Elvis

Just my opinion..

[elvis1970nl]

Hi elvisdownunder

Well,singing Elvis as a tribute i absolutley respect that, still i belive no one sounds just like him..
But dress up like him,talk like him and imitate his moves- this i will never understand...it looks so weird to me,like double personality or something....
To me there is only one Elvis

Just my opinion..

Singin as a Tribute? I agree there are some pretty good singers out there.
But the guys that dress up, talk like him, imitate the moves, and force their voices trying to sound like him. I dislike that clowns, If shooting was legal, I would shoot them at sight.
Sorry for this offensive language, but that's how I feel.

There is and always be only one Elvis indeed. Maybe these impersonators should join a circus and imitate a Banana or another piece of fruit, but not Elvis.

[Wendy56]

Elvis impresionators... I like the idea of it. People say that the best way to praise someone is imitating him (her). But I must tell that I don't like the stereotype of "fat Elvis" is used to be display... I Hate It (!!!) I'd like to see more Elvis from the 50s or 60s. too.

Here in Mexico I've seen a couple of impresionators... And I didn't like them much either... Anyway, there's only ONE Elvis. Nobody can get any close to him.

[Scarlett Presley]

well i dont usually like that many impersonators because i always compare them to the real thing.but seeing as i impersonate Him myself that's a really silly view to take.especially as im a girl!!

[Glen Page]

I have seen Shawn Klush he is with Legends In Concert. He is the BEST I have seen, and he is truly an Elvis fan, and does a very good and RESPECTFUL JOB.
Glen

[elvisdownunder]

if hes the one on getaway i saw on aussie tv. i do not like how he sings

[lmsalgado]

I have seen Lou Vuto at Memories Theater in Pigeon Forge TN, and he's really a great tribute artist.

[Memphisgurl]

some are good some are bad, but its so weird seeing a million replicas of the greatist entertainer! but there is this one i know of , he moves and looks like the king to an extent, i have the website www.travisledoyt.com hes very talented. his voice could use some work but hes really good!


TCB 4 EVER

[THENATUREBOY]

i have a mixed feeling about them. i enjoy the ones who take their job serious and try their best to honor elvis. but i absolutely hate those who dont sound, act, or look anything like elvis. i feel like that they are just mocking.

[Tommy]

I've never seen an Elvis impersonator, but I don't care too. I just will stick to the real thing! ELVIS

Tommy

[U.S. Male]

I have seen Lou Vuto at Memories Theater in Pigeon Forge TN, and he's really a great tribute artist.

I've known Lou for many years, and I'll agree his rendition is very authentic and not silly & stupid like so many others are.

There's also a few more who do an excellent tribute; they are Eddie Miles, Bill Stiles, Shawn Klush, and Max Pellicano.

[Sonny]

Hi,

Well, I'm pretty clear on Elvis impersonators: like I said: I don't care much for them.

However...

I went to see "The Rockin' On Heaven's Door" live show yesterday night and was blown away by it actually!

It's a tribute show with four great singers, doing Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Elvis.

Before the show I had serious doubts about the Elvis part, because usually it's not very good, to say the least.

But right after the intermission last night, curtains parted and the 2001 theme started... Electrifying...

And there he was, the Elvis impersonator, Richard Atkins.
And wow! This guy definately is very good! He comes very close to sounding like our man, but his looks were great too and he did a great job to tell you the truth. He performed for like half an hour and did TTWII like renditions of the Elvis rock songs: Blue Suede Shoes, and so on, and he did a great 1972 version of Hound Dog, complete with slow start.

(Check out the "Elvis" live pictures on the site mentioned below)

Eddie Cochran, Holly and Orbison were very, very good as well. So is the live band that accompanies these guys!

All I can say is, when you get the chance and this show comes to your town, don't hesitate to go see it!

Here's a link to their site if you're interested:

http://rockinonheavensdoor.co.uk/code/

Sonny

[Wendy56]

I don't care much for them [impersonators]... I went to see "The Rockin' On Heaven's Door" live show (...) and was blown away by it (...)
It's a tribute show with four great singers, doing Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Elvis (...) Richard Atkins [Elvis part] is very good (...) when you get the chance and this show comes to your town, don't hesitate to go see it!

I can't help to reply this message...
I haven't seen The Rockin' On Heaven's Door show... Hasn't come to M?xico yet and, actually, I guess it won't happen.
I found many reviews, just after a boy from U.K (Elvis fan too!) told me "that show was 'superb'".
I'd like to watch Richard Atkins doing Elvis. I'm intrigued for what you said. The guy looks like "the king" (maybe not much ) and after listened his voice I was impressed.
The "Eddie Cochran" from the show looks like the real one ... Though I liked that Brian Setzer acting in La Bamba. He's
Thanks for the link and information you posted here: nice and useful.

[michu]

[QUOTE=SANDRA]I think they should get themself a life...
Sorry,i don't like to hear or see Elvis impersonators at all [/QUOTE
Me neither!

[Dovey]

As long as they show respect for Elvis, I do not mind them but there are some who think "they are" the King and I do not like them at all. ( I saw one in Memphis I really disliked)

Mike Albert does a great show with respect to Elvis and you can tell that he loves him just like the rest of us fans. He does not pretend to be the real Elvis. Dovey

[KPM]

I've never heard one who does justice to his voice or talent. My problem is if they do not come close in the sound how are they doing anything good for Elvis? To many people hear one at a local club or fair etc and have a good time but they think thats what he sounded like. Low voiced, no range and monotoned, heavy in a jumpsuit. I have seen a couple on TV and one in my home town who has made a pretty big name Steve Davis. I have to say even though hes from my town and seems sincere he is nothing like Elvis in sound or movement, yet people come away saying, "Man hes so much like the real thing its scary" Most do not run out and buy, oh, From Elvis in Memphis to compare. SO they miss the real deal because in their mind they think-if that imitator is how he sounds-its no big deal.

[Dovey]

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

Fantastic voice you have and yes, I can hear a little of Elvis in it. Your background singers are great too. I sure do love it but have never heard it before. ( Hope that you do not mind that I saved it to my Media Player) Well I did find the song on the CD Most Beautiful Things by Hogen Lesberg (Could that be you????) I received my 60's Masters today and sure enough one song Elvis sang was Mine.. I guess I must be getting old because I had forgotten the song but I truly do think that you sing the song beautifully and so have a sound somewhat like Elvis. Dovey

[elvisdownunder]

Akings version of mine is very good indeed. here is my version of promised land. i had a good time singing this. trust me, i do not try to sound like those impersonators, like my self and the man, but none of that mumble singing, this is done with respect