Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Music Fans Gather For Annual Elvis Tribute

By Jerri Perry


The public could see an elvis tribute carried out in a variety of ways. Grandmothers who grew up listening to Heartbreak Hotel are turning their grandbabies into a third generation of Elvis fans. Women relate fond memories of attending his concerts. Memorabilia is still big business.

The King was primarily categorized as a rock star. The truth is, he did quite a bit of country songs and loved gospel music. In fact, he had Grammy Awards for his gospel recordings.

His first Grammy Award was for Best Sacred Performance, which he won in 1967. He won another in 1972 for Best Inspirational Performance. The third was in 1974 for Best Inspirational Song.

Long after his death he was awarded a Grammy posthumously. It was in 1993 for the double sided record Hound Dog and Dont Be Cruel. Each year in August, fans converge on Memphis from all over the world. They stand in a line for hours just to walk up the hill and pause at his grave for a moment to remember him.

Each carries a candle and waits in patient silence to file up the walk and stand at his grave in respect. This year on August 16th, they honored the 34th anniversary of his untimely death. He was only 42 years old. Fans from around the world travel to Memphis to honor the date of his death.

There are shows year around in which Presley is emulated. Memphis, Vegas and Branson Missouri are only three of the locations where they perform. The most talented are working to earn a living as Presley impersonators. Clubs, stage shows and private parties are clamoring to hire them. Tours go to cities all over the US.

One new show is called From Graceland to the Promised Land and two acts are touring in it. They are a gospel group and one single performer from Australia. Audiences love to listen to the music and also hear about the history of Presleys gospel music background in addition to the rock music he performed.

The impersonators, who prefer to be called tribute performers, compete in a variety of contests for a variety of titles. One is the prestigious Spirit of Elvis Award. The kings voice, his dance moves, which were once called indecent, and his looks are done to perfection by the best of the best.

There is an entire week of shows and festivities in Memphis honoring his memory that is held surrounding the date of his death. You can see the King on every street during this week. There are stage shows, contests and parties to celebrate. Crowds of men of all ages appear in white jumpsuits embellished with rhinestones.

Every other imitator is wearing a pair of shoes made of blue suede and children carry hound dog stuffed toys. Fans purchase souvenirs to add to their collections. They can find everything from t-shirts to working telephones in the form of pink Cadillac cars. Restaurants offer peanut butter and banana sandwiches, which are reputed to have been a favorite food.

Elvis Lives is another of the elvis tribute shows that tour. They travel to perform around the world. In Europe there is a festival held to honor him. Fans flock to Graceland, his home in Memphis, every day of the year. His talent and popularity are unequaled and he will never be forgotten.




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