Elvis impersonator

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Image:Elvis impersonators record.jpg

An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies Elvis Presley either as a hobby, career in entertainment or occasionally for fun. Elvis Impersonators can range in ethnic background, size and talent.

Professional Elvis impersonators can work all over the world as entertainers and are in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis. There are even a number of Radio stationsTemplate:Ref that exclusively feature Elvis Impersonator material.

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Origins

The first Elvis Impersonators started to appear whilst Elvis was still alive, evolving mainly out of small town talent competitions which took their influences from major music artists of that time. It wasn't until Elvis's untimely death on August 16, 1977, that impersonating Elvis started to become popular in the mainstream. The large growth in Elvis impersonators seems tightly linked with his ever-growing iconic status.

Andy Kaufman was perhaps one of the first Elvis impersonators. In his act he would use his famous "Latka" voice while dressed in the 1970s Elvis style jumpsuits to discourage guests and attendants, only to reveal that he has singing and guitar playing talents. As Kaufman gained fame, the act was used less and less.

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Types of Elvis Impersonator

There are differing types of Elvis Impersonator. Most fall under the following main types which are:

The are also differing levels of impersonation which depends largely on who is doing the impersonation and for what purpose. They mainly fall under three main levels of impersonatation which are:

  • Professional Full time entertainers who usually do it to earn a living.
  • Amateur Enthusuiasts or people who do it for a hobby.
  • Fun / Comedy Usually done as part of a parody.
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Contests, Festivals and Events

There are many Elvis contests, festivals and other events held across the world celebrating Elvis and his many impersonators. Events tend to attract large numbers of Elvis Impersonators and fans.

Collingwood, Ontario Canada holds an annual Elvis festivalTemplate:Ref that features an Elvis impersonation contest. Florida also holds an annual competition called the Elvis Invasion of FloridaTemplate:Ref.

In the UK, the seaside town of Blackpool in England is home to Europe's largest Elvis impersonator contest and conventionTemplate:Ref. It is held anually in early January to coincide with Elvis's birthday. Blackpool also features a busy Elvis Wedding ChapelTemplate:Ref based at the Queens hotel on the south promenade where couples can have their wedding vows renewed by Martin FoxTemplate:Ref.

Every year there is an Elvis Festival in Parkes, New South Wales in early January. This festival has look alike competitions, parades, concerts and markets with memorabilia.

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Trivia

  • Elvii is a plural for Elvis impersonators (this, however, is not grammatically correct, as the name "Elvis" derives from Old English. Even if it somehow were a third-declension Latin noun, the plural form would be Elves). This term was popularized by a Saturday Night Live sketch where Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi respectively impersonated the younger and older versions of Elvis.
  • In Memphis, Tennessee, the term Elvira (plural, Elviras) has been used to refer to female Elvis impersonators.
  • There is a lot of speculation as to how many Elvis impersonators are out there, with experts reckoning that the number of Elvis Presley impersonators has reached an all-time record high.
"There are now at least 85,000 Elvis’s around the world, compared to only 170 in 1977 when Elvis died. At this rate of growth, experts predict that by 2019 Elvis impersonators will make up a third of the world population." - The Naked Scientists 3rd December, 2000.
  • Some professional Elvis impersonators have taken a dislike to the term "Elvis impersonator" and prefer "Elvis Tribute Artist" instead. The reasoning behind this is to try and distance themselves from very bad amateur attempts that might harm their professional image. These requests have had little effect over the years and "Elvis impersonator" still remains the most popular phrase used.
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References

  1. Template:Note Elvis Tribute Radio Stations LadyLuck music and Elvii.com
  2. Template:Note Collingwood Elvis Festival
  3. Template:Note Elvis Extravaganza
  4. Template:Note Elvis Impersonator Contest European Elvis Impersonator Contest and Convention.
  5. Template:Note Elvis Invasion of Florida
  6. Template:Note Elvis Weddings Elvis Wedding Chapel based in the UK.
  7. Template:Note Elvis Impersonator Martin Fox
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See also

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External links

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