Oct 6 2013
Sometimes it seems as if there is another Elvis impersonator around every corner in Memphis Tennessee. That is, of course, the hometown of the real Elvis Presley, who bought Graceland for his mother all those years ago. For years people have claimed the ghost of the singer is seen walking through the mansion late at night.
Others claim to have seen him at the black wrought iron gates, which have musical tones decorating them. He was a man who came from very humble beginnings and he would sometimes visit with his fans at those gates. When he passed away at the early age of 42, mourners surrounded the mansion and lined the streets for his funeral procession.
There are many, possibly hundreds, of impersonators of this great star in Memphis and around the country as well. Many work in Las Vegas. There was a television show called the Golden Girls. There was an episode where one of them was getting married in a wedding chapel there and a dozen impersonators stood up after the ceremony imitating him.
Elvis lookalikes are hired for all sorts of performances. They have been around since the mid 1950s when Elvis began his rise to popularity. The first was a boy named Jim Smith. At the age of 16 in 1956, he used to jump up on stage right along with the real Elvis and imitate him.
During, the Kings lifetime, many impersonators started imitating him. After his death, there were tribute concerts featuring one or more lookalikes singing his songs. He is an icon who will never be forgotten. After all, imitation is the finest sort of flattery. A hotel in Memphis is a tribute to him, it is named the Heartbreak Hotel.
Andy Kaufman was an actor on the popular television series, Taxi. He tried unsuccessfully at first, to imitate the King. Finally he developed an impressive act as an impersonator.
There is a little joke that makes the rounds from time to time. Presley once entered an Elvis look-alike contest held in a Memphis restaurant. The newspaper article that started it all, published the news that he came in third. It was a funny joke, however, some people took it to be the truth.
There is a song recorded called, Walking in Memphis, and a few impersonators have been seen doing just that from time to time. The late Kurt Russel did a sound alike skit in the movie Forest Gump. There are female copycats and one young boy did a skit on television a few years ago. People simply love the man, and want to think of him as if he were still alive.
Many of the really good impersonators make a living at doing his act. They appear on stage or make personal appearances for a fee. The tribute artists put on concerts attracting crowds.
The impersonators are so prolifick that it is considered a separate branch of the entertainment industry. Contests to judge the Elvis impersonator are held routinely. In addition to his admirers there are comedians who take an act on the road performing a parody based on him and his life.
Read more about An Elvis Impersonator Dresses In A Jumpsuit And Sings visiting our website.
Source:
http://p4fun.com/the-garb-of-an-elvis-impersonator-is-a-white-jumpsuit-with-rhinestone-trim/