What Do You Think Of Elvis Impersonators?

[E.L.V.I.S]

i often have arguments over impersonators with other fans....i once got thrown of a yahoo elvis group for saying that they were all rubbish,useless,perfetic,strange people!!!! is it right for them to make a show by were they take the mick of elvis :o and make so much money in the process? they put on cheap,tatty,home made jump suits :dance: and think their the :elvis: king!!!!! i mean i wouldnt mind if they just come out and sung a song in their own style without putting on that silly voice : .....i mean they so badly think they are elvis when they sing ha!ha! i just wanted to know what is your opinions......have fun

[Albert]

Most of the times that I see impersonators I have the feeling that they are mocking The King. Also that they are no Elvisfan, but just do this to make a buck.

I prefer the term 'tribute artist' for people who really are Elvisfan, and perform (mostly as themselves) doing Elvissongs. Of course, some of the weirdos may very well be the biggest fans in the world, but they obvious don't understand that they make a fool out of Elvis (also because they stereotype Elvis so much).

And why are those impersonators always wear jumpsuits, are fat, have a wig, keep on saying "Thank You very much" and do karatemoves that I've never seen Elvis doing? Those people should be protected against themselves (and against the Elviscommunity ).

[P.S. Annie]

I don't mind, as long as I don't have to seem them.

[U.S. Male]

To me it just depends on who they are and how they portray Elvis. I have seen some that would make a billy goat puke by the way they act and portray Elvis; however, I have seen some, and still support a few, (Eddie Miles, Lou Vuto, Will Stiles, and Max Pellicano) who do Elvis great justice by presenting both him and his music with class. dignity, and respect by giving Elvis the credit for the songs, using their own personality and not trying to mimic Elvis, and for using there time on stage to not only sing, but educate others on Elvis' music.

I agree that no matter how tallented or good hearted any tribute artist is, he will never be able to replace Elvis Presley.

[NightRider]

I don't mind them if they are respectful to elvis and his music.

Some i've seen are ( on tv etc...don't think i'd want to see one live &#33 Then others really get me fuming *****s.

After all its just another way of making money out of elvis

Some of them really take it too far. Did anyone see that guy in the English press this week ? He spent ?3600 on plastic surgery just to look more like Elvis.....still i found that sad and funny at the same time as it didn't work. He looked bloody aweful

[LisaMarie]

I don't have a problem with the ones that are "normal" looking and sincerely love Elvis. It's the embarrassing ones that help keep Elvis "a joke" in a lot of people's eyes that I want to disappear into a black hole!!!

Lisa

[jbgude]

The suit itself has become legendary an iconic thing- which speaks volumes for those who claim anyone else is the "biggest celebrity ever "- Elvis is recognised or acknowledged by everyone by just a an item of stage clothing, which in itself is awesome.

How many tried to copy it and fell flat on their faces Donny Osmond, Sly and the Family Stones... just as no one else could carry off using the " 2001" theme to announce their entrance on stage.

I personally dislike all the jump suits Elvis wore after 1970 - and I even complained about it then - Elvis did not need those over jeweled flashy suits ( to each his own, I know that there are the jump suit fanatics in thousands) - and sadly - it has been turned into a convenient symbol for any person wanting instant fame or recognition - especially the overweight pot- bellied wannabe's :bash:

There has been very few that even come anywhere close to looking and moving like Elvis in his prime. I just wish they would all go away.

jb

[E.L.V.I.S]

AMEN!!!!

[Keith F]

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

[Jungleroom76]

As long as they are respectful to Elvis' legacy and music, I don't generally have a problem with Elvis impersonators.

I do have to share a story though about an Elvis impersonator I saw during my last trip to Memphis during Elvis Week 2000...

While I was walking around Graceland, of course I ran into dozens of the '70's Elvis impersonators (which since I am a '70's Elvis fan, I really enjoyed to be perfectly honest). But under one tent, there was a young man performing his tribute to Elvis...but he was doing his tribute in the style of the '50's Elvis...I'm talking the gray jacket, gray pants, black shirt and white tie....hair slicked back in the ducktail style, the great looking black/white polished shoes...the whole nine yards!! He was performing with a 3-piece combo, with an electric guitarist (a' la' Scotty Moore), a drummer (a' la' D.J. Fontana) and a bass player (a' la' Bill Black) who was playing a STAND-UP BASS!! And let me tell you, THEY ROCKED!!! The young man performing as Elvis was jumping all around, and the guy playing bass was standing ON the bass just like we've seen photos of Bill Black doing! They were having A LOT of fun....no sequins, no jumpsuits and capes, no scarves....just good ol' Rock N' Roll -- '50's style!!! I have to say that despite my love for Elvis in the '70's, watching those guys was the most enjoyable tribute/impersonator show I saw during my entire trip to Memphis!!!

TCB!
Mike

[SouthPaw]

I like the ones who do the tribute stuff and despise those who think they are actually Elvis by acting like him, dressing like him etc.

[Sonny]

I don't try to think of them, since I don't like them at all!!!

However, there are some nice tribute artists around.

One that comes to mind f.i. is Helmut Lotti, from Belgium. His voice comes close to Elvis' and at least he doesn't always try to imitate our man!

Sonny

[SouthPaw]

I have only seen two Lou Vuto and Rick Saucedo (sp?).

Both were very impressive.

Lou does his act with Elvis on a big screen and has his moves in sync with Elvis on video. His jumpsuits are the best BK does though he looks very little like Elvis.

Rick was ok in voice but not much in looks.

Sad, my kids said afterwards they wished they had gotten to see the real Elvis like I did in concert.

[buttonhead]

Wheew, i was surprised that i missed so many topics as i browse back on this , so far about impersonator i dont like them at all, no matter how 'elvisly' their voice/looks are, many of them are fat, and have that ugly wig and thats all.

[Elvisgirl]

i dont like them at all

[iamhekev]

Take them out side,and leave them there

KEV.

[E.L.V.I.S]

can we maybe kick them also kev ? and maybe reverse our cars over them? not that we wanna hurt them or anything

[Paulie1971]

I don't have a major problem with some of them. Every-one is free to do what they want, and if they want to go out and make an arse of themselves I say: by all means let them do it. I don't have the strong reaction that others have ...

[Elvis42]

I really don't care for any of them. I saw a few of them when I went to Vegas back in the early 90's and wasn't impressed at all. I don't mind the "tribute artists" as long as it is done in good taste. The one I enjoyed the most was Ronnie McDowell, I even bought some of his own music after hearing his Elvis tribute CD.
J.C.

[Pieterpix]

I don't try to think of them, since I don't like them at all!!!

However, there are some nice tribute artists around.

One that comes to mind f.i. is Helmut Lotti, from Belgium. His voice comes close to Elvis' and at least he doesn't always try to imitate our man!

Sonny

What about Rene Shuman (netherlands) when he sings " But where my love" in the 80's, i think he did a pretty good job with it.

Nobody sings like Elvis