Did Elvis really lose an Elvis impersonator contest?
Ok guys here's one for you to mull over, it's bothered me for years:
Briefly, the story goes that one time Elvis was out in Vegas when he got wind of an Elvis impersonator contest taking place. One of the Memphis Mafia says to The King "I bet you couldn't win that" Elvis says "You're on" and proceeds to give a performance on stage, closely followed by the announcement that another competitor had won. So in essence, Elvis Presley lost an Elvis Presley impersonator contest.
Personally, I think this is a load of fetid dingo's kidneys, for several reasons. Anyone out there know more? The thing with this story is that some of the Memphis Mafia say it's true, some say it's not, so either way someone is telling porkies. Yes, I know - A member of the Memphis Mafia telling lies? Surely not.
Over to you guys, I'll do some research here and why don't you lot do the same?
Briefly, the story goes that one time Elvis was out in Vegas when he got wind of an Elvis impersonator contest taking place. One of the Memphis Mafia says to The King "I bet you couldn't win that" Elvis says "You're on" and proceeds to give a performance on stage, closely followed by the announcement that another competitor had won. So in essence, Elvis Presley lost an Elvis Presley impersonator contest.
Personally, I think this is a load of fetid dingo's kidneys, for several reasons. Anyone out there know more? The thing with this story is that some of the Memphis Mafia say it's true, some say it's not, so either way someone is telling porkies. Yes, I know - A member of the Memphis Mafia telling lies? Surely not.
Over to you guys, I'll do some research here and why don't you lot do the same?
Replies to this Elvis topic
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Permalink Reply by Philip Donson on -
I have heard the same story in the past - but personally do not lend any credence to it. The same story was circulating about John Denver - that he entered a JD impersonators contest and came third.
It seems to be that a novel idea and funny story that was dreamed up, has been applied across the board.
Still, it would be amusing if it were true.
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Permalink Reply by Elvis.co.uk on -
I have heard this too - personally I think its about as real as James Dean giving Elvis a motorbike or Elvis giving a motorbike to James Dean, whatever the IMPOSSIBLE tale is.
It would be very funny if true, but don't you think that Elvis would have gone crazy over this! Madder than he was at Mike Stone!!
Julie
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Permalink Reply by Elliot Tapping on -
I'm sure I read about this in Larry Geller's book?
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Permalink Reply by Elliot Tapping on
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Or as real as Tommy Steele giving him a guided tour around London on half' a sixpence!
Elvis.co.uk said:I have heard this too - personally I think its about as real as James Dean giving Elvis a motorbike or Elvis giving a motorbike to James Dean, whatever the IMPOSSIBLE tale is.
It would be very funny if true, but don't you think that Elvis would have gone crazy over this! Madder than he was at Mike Stone!!
Julie
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Permalink Reply by Therealcharro on -
I think there is some truth to it - Elvis had the sense of humour to mess it up - let me ask you this, would you expect it to be the real Elvis? Of course not, by all accounts it was in 75 and he sang 'Unchained Melody' - he wasn;t know for this song then and Elvis often mocked himself, the film sequences from the Comeback special where he makes fun of his movie career show this... Elvis 'impersonators' don't impersonate Elvis, they imperosnate Elvis Impersonators, thats why none of them actually sound like him. They go for the expected image that none fans look for... I think the story is so unrealistic there must be an ounce of truth in it.,..
As for Tommy Steele... According to how long the plane was in prestwich airport they must have broken the record for travel... there just wasn't time... We all know Elvis didn't want to see London otherwise he would have publically come here, it would have been great publically but he couldnt be bothered. But let me ask you. who needs the publicity, Elvis or Tommy Steele (as everyone read the report and said 'is he still alive?')... Never heard such rubbish
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Permalink Reply by Chris Bowdidge on -
Yes Ben, I've heard differing accounts on this story. I am currently (when I find the time) looking for references in various sources. Now, I know this was mentioned in the book "Elvis and the Memphis Mafia", but I just can't bring myself to read the whole of that hatchet job again, but I suppose I'll have to as the index is a little "concise" for my liking. I do feel that this is an urban myth as even those that were supposedly there, can't agree on what happened (no change there then). I'm still looking, but I really would love to know for sure if this is true or not. Watch this space.
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Permalink Reply by Therealcharro on
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Ask Joe Esposito?
I wouldn't ask any of them anything... their stories have all differed over the years, so that proves a point!
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Permalink Reply by Elliot Tapping on
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Dont believe he quoted Prestwick airport (been through there loads of times, and they used to have a Graceland named bar, gone now), it was supposedly during one of his 2 army breaks in Paris that he snuck across the water to visit, dont believe it myself though.
Therealcharro said:I think there is some truth to it - Elvis had the sense of humour to mess it up - let me ask you this, would you expect it to be the real Elvis? Of course not, by all accounts it was in 75 and he sang 'Unchained Melody' - he wasn;t know for this song then and Elvis often mocked himself, the film sequences from the Comeback special where he makes fun of his movie career show this... Elvis 'impersonators' don't impersonate Elvis, they imperosnate Elvis Impersonators, thats why none of them actually sound like him. They go for the expected image that none fans look for... I think the story is so unrealistic there must be an ounce of truth in it.,..
As for Tommy Steele... According to how long the plane was in prestwich airport they must have broken the record for travel... there just wasn't time... We all know Elvis didn't want to see London otherwise he would have publically come here, it would have been great publically but he couldnt be bothered. But let me ask you. who needs the publicity, Elvis or Tommy Steele (as everyone read the report and said 'is he still alive?')... Never heard such rubbish
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Permalink Reply by Elvis.co.uk on
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It was also a story released by Tommy Steeles manager just as Tommy was about to start a new show, or tour, I can't remember which - coincidence eh!
Mind you, on a trip to Germany last year, we stayed at a campsite in Gedern that Elvis stayed in to escape from it all during the army. We were a little skeptical until they produced lots of photos of Elvis there, that's the proof!
I also knew a chap that used to work for RCA in A&R in the '70s. He swore blind that David Bowie gave him a pair of blue suede shoes, that Elvis gave to Bowie!!
The shoes were horrible Showaddywaddy creepers, Elvis certainly would have NEVER bought anything like it.
Elliot Tapping said:Dont believe he quoted Prestwick airport (been through there loads of times, and they used to have a Graceland named bar, gone now), it was supposedly during one of his 2 army breaks in Paris that he snuck across the water to visit, dont believe it myself though.
Therealcharro said:I think there is some truth to it - Elvis had the sense of humour to mess it up - let me ask you this, would you expect it to be the real Elvis? Of course not, by all accounts it was in 75 and he sang 'Unchained Melody' - he wasn;t know for this song then and Elvis often mocked himself, the film sequences from the Comeback special where he makes fun of his movie career show this... Elvis 'impersonators' don't impersonate Elvis, they imperosnate Elvis Impersonators, thats why none of them actually sound like him. They go for the expected image that none fans look for... I think the story is so unrealistic there must be an ounce of truth in it.,..
As for Tommy Steele... According to how long the plane was in prestwich airport they must have broken the record for travel... there just wasn't time... We all know Elvis didn't want to see London otherwise he would have publically come here, it would have been great publically but he couldnt be bothered. But let me ask you. who needs the publicity, Elvis or Tommy Steele (as everyone read the report and said 'is he still alive?')... Never heard such rubbish
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