1977 LETTER FROM ELVIS TO AN ELVIS IMPERSONATOR

[JRtherealJR]

A very insightful letter from the King dated 19th July, 1977 to someone known only as "David" who apparently was a local Elvis impersonator. I particularly liked the line where Elvis says that "mimicry is a sincere form of being a fan" and that ".....This is a great compliment for me".
All Elvis fans the world over shoud rejoice that the King is unique in that he has his own Global legion of impersonators / tribute artists and if Elvis himself was flattered and even shared the stage with an impersonator called Douglas Roy then there is no reason why the phenomenon of Elvis impersonators should try to be brushed under the carpet like some people are apparently trying to do on some message forums.
EPE themselves have recognised that Elvis tribute artists are here too stay and a uniquely powerful testament to EP's immortality.
The moderators have my permission to move this topic if it is deemed that I have broken some cardinal sin because I have (GASP) dared to talk about Elvis impersonators!
Best wishes for the future of your TCB-world messsage board.
[IMG][/IMG]

[Jimmy1966]

How Cool Is That Letter, What A Wonderful Warm Human Being He Truly Was.

[Danny Ocean]

This letter isn't written by Elvis himself. It's typed by probably Becky Yancey. A secretary of Elvis, hired by Vernon Presley. She and Patsy sat together with Vernon in the Office. Many times she revealed that the post that Elvis recieved, didn't made it into Graceland. Almost everything was send back by Patsy or Becky. IF Elvis wrote a letter back, he did it mostly by hand and/or at his TCB stationary.

Also Jerry Schilling told many times in Interviews that he never saw Elvis write a letter. Except when they flew to Washington D.C. Where he wrote the letter to President Nixon.

[monk37]

it reads like a form letter - but still a collectible

I am fairly sure that Becky Yancy was long gone by 77, but there were always 2 or 3 secretaries that answered all the fan mail

wonder why the owner of it let it get so stained

[Jumpsuit Junkie]

It also seems very clear that in two separate paragraphs it is pointed out...

A) Do Develop YOUR own special talents and abilities..

B) Never neglect your OWN special abilities..

It suggests that tributes artists are flattering, however having a unique talent of you own is preferable.

[monk37]

a short time before Roy Orbison died, he saw a show in tv where there were Elvis impersonators said to his brother Sam that he hoped that there would be Orbison impersonators in the future.

I was introduced by Red Robinson to Sam Orbison at a concert with an Elvis, Buddy Holly and Orbison impersonator and he told me that story.

the roy impersonator's name was Larry Branson

and he did an eerily accurate Roy in a way that no Elvis impersonator ever captured Elvis

[Tigerman1975]

I would be interested to know if this is truly authentic.

[Billy Budd]

The autograph looks real.

[KPM]

I have to agree with you-the heart of the letter is about not ignoring the talents and ablilities that make you-YOU.
I would love to see Elvis's reaction to all the "tribute artists" around today.
I'm sure he would be flattered, and amused-but not sure how many would get a letter like this one.

[suspicious_mind]

A very insightful letter from the King dated 19th July, 1977 to someone known only as "David" who apparently was a local Elvis impersonator. I particularly liked the line where Elvis says that "mimicry is a sincere form of being a fan" and that ".....This is a great compliment for me".
All Elvis fans the world over shoud rejoice that the King is unique in that he has his own Global legion of impersonators / tribute artists and if Elvis himself was flattered and even shared the stage with an impersonator called Douglas Roy then there is no reason why the phenomenon of Elvis impersonators should try to be brushed under the carpet like some people are apparently trying to do on some message forums.
EPE themselves have recognised that Elvis tribute artists are here too stay and a uniquely powerful testament to EP's immortality.
The moderators have my permission to move this topic if it is deemed that I have broken some cardinal sin because I have (GASP) dared to talk about Elvis impersonators!
Best wishes for the future of your TCB-world messsage board.
[IMG][/IMG]

Love how "your own" is disctinctly underlined...lol

[Elizasong]

There is a stamp in blue across the letter that says "replicated from..." but I can't read after that. Obviously this is a copy of what EPE sent out. I'm sure even if Becky Yancy typed it up she knew Elvis well enough to know what he would want to say to the fans. It's a nice read. Thanks for sharing.

[nabelt24]

There is a stamp in blue across the letter that says "replicated from..." but I can't read after that. Obviously this is a copy of what EPE sent out. I'm sure even if Becky Yancy typed it up she knew Elvis well enough to know what he would want to say to the fans. It's a nice read. Thanks for sharing.

It says "Replica from the Graceland Archives". A copy of this letter was sent out to all the finalist in the Ultimate Elvis contest as part of the introduction package.

[Tony Trout]

A very insightful letter from the King dated 19th July, 1977 to someone known only as "David" who apparently was a local Elvis impersonator. I particularly liked the line where Elvis says that "mimicry is a sincere form of being a fan" and that ".....This is a great compliment for me".
All Elvis fans the world over shoud rejoice that the King is unique in that he has his own Global legion of impersonators / tribute artists and if Elvis himself was flattered and even shared the stage with an impersonator called Douglas Roy then there is no reason why the phenomenon of Elvis impersonators should try to be brushed under the carpet like some people are apparently trying to do on some message forums.
EPE themselves have recognised that Elvis tribute artists are here too stay and a uniquely powerful testament to EP's immortality.
The moderators have my permission to move this topic if it is deemed that I have broken some cardinal sin because I have (GASP) dared to talk about Elvis impersonators!
Best wishes for the future of your TCB-world messsage board.
[IMG][/IMG]

How Cool Is That Letter, What A Wonderful Warm Human Being He Truly Was.

This letter isn't written by Elvis himself. It's typed by probably Becky Yancey. A secretary of Elvis, hired by Vernon Presley. She and Patsy sat together with Vernon in the Office. Many times she revealed that the post that Elvis recieved, didn't made it into Graceland. Almost everything was send back by Patsy or Becky. IF Elvis wrote a letter back, he did it mostly by hand and/or at his TCB stationary.

Also Jerry Schilling told many times in Interviews that he never saw Elvis write a letter. Except when they flew to Washington D.C. Where he wrote the letter to President Nixon.

Becky Yancey left in 1975 so this isn't from her.

I would be interested to know if this is truly authentic.

The autograph looks real.

I also doubt if Elvis even signed it....the signature looks stamped to me.

There is a stamp in blue across the letter that says "replicated from..." but I can't read after that. Obviously this is a copy of what EPE sent out. I'm sure even if Becky Yancy typed it up she knew Elvis well enough to know what he would want to say to the fans. It's a nice read. Thanks for sharing.

Once again, this isn't from Becky Yancey....she was gone by then. She left in 1975, I believe. The signature doesn't even look real.

[May]

wonder why the owner of it let it get so stained

that was my first thought too!