Professional Elvis Impersonator and Tribute Artist
If you would like a great Elvis impersonator for your party, wedding, birthday or any other event, let Ray Wood Elvis Impersonator, provide you with an Elvis Presley Tribute you'll love. Ray Wood has dedicated his life to being the best Elvis Impersonator he can be, and will ensure you see an Elvis Tribute Act you will never forget.
Origins of the Elvis Impersonator
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.
Types of Elvis Impersonator
There are differing types of Elvis Impersonator. Most fall under the following main types which are:
* Look alikes who concentrate more on visual elements of Elvis fashion and style using accessories such as wigs, costumes and jewellery.
* Sound alikes who concentrate on changing their voice to singing or talking like Elvis.
* Combination who try to use a hybrid of both the visual and aural methods listed above.
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
impersonation which are:
* Professional Full time entertainers who usually do it to earn a living.
* Amateur Enthusiasts or people who do it for a hobby.
* Fun / Comedy Usually done as part of a parody.
Ray wood is both a look alike and sound a like, making him one of the best Elvis Impersonators in the UK. He has been so successful in his Elvis Impersonation carrier that he now is an Elvis Impersonator as his primary job.
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 festival that features an Elvis impersonation contest. Florida also holds an annual competition called the Elvis Invasion of Florida. In Las Vegas, there is an Elvis competition called the Elvis Extravaganza which attracts many fans and Elvii from around the globe, they compete for a title of the "Worlds Finest Elvis Impersonator".
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.
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.
* Billionaire Robert Sillerman, owner of the TV show American Idol, bought an 85% stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises in 2005. Among other things, this gives him control of Elvis Presley's name and likeness in the US, this however does not include Britain (where the Elvis image is in the public domain), Europe and most other countries in the world
