I posted Elvis singing Happy Birthday, Baby to my Facebook account. One of FB friends came back with "Why are all the Elvis impersonators old,fat and in jumpsuits?" A very good question!
For starters, not all are old:
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But yes, the vast majority of Elvis tribute artists(every wonder why folks who do the Beatles are 'tribute acts', and not impersonators?) are firmly in the late 60's -early 70's era. Why's that, you say?
Well, part of it is a lot of folks are into 'the king' are old(er) and it's a little harder to carry off a teenage Elvis with bags under your eyes and wrinkles in your face. And let's face, Elvis would be seventy-nine if he was still alive - most folk if they remember Elvis - remember 'Vegas' Elvis versus the 'Sun Records' Elvis.
Also, Seventies Elvis is an easier performance to get right - a white jumpsuit(which you don't have to make, but can buy), Black wig, and sunglasses, and your'e in business. Not to mention that he's strikes me as something as something an actor could really sink their teeth into for just his sheer over-the-topness during this era.
Me - as a writer, I like the earlier era better. This is the man who quite literally changed the world without meaning to. I always like his quote that 'I didn't want to be famous'. And by keeping him in Memphis, I'm able to apply the old adage of 'write what you know'.
But that's not to say I don't appreciate those guys with B&K enterprises jumpsuits belting their hearts out. I often wonder what Elvis would think of all the hoopla. I think he would enjoy the diversity. After all, you have Lady Elvii:
African Elvis:
Kid Elvis (who says being Elvis is a dead end?)
Asian Elvis:
and even El Ves:
I think he'd enjoy it. After all, aren't we all following that dream?
TCB,
Jana
