King rules the stage

Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano has been emulating the King for 20 years.

The memory of Elvis is still strong, discovers Barney McDonald.

Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano has been emulating the King for 20 years. The 36th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley is looming large, which seems appropriate since nobody is larger than life than the King of Rock 'n' Roll.

To follow in his blue-suede-shoe footsteps seems like the foolhardy act of an obsessive fan, but Presley impersonator Max Pellicano has the moves, the grooves, the grind and the mindset of the man he has made a career out of emulating, at least on stage.

"You decide to become an Elvis impersonator because you can't find other work. Just kidding," he laughs. "If you look and sound like him, it seems like a good job."

Pellicano has been touring variations on his Elvis to the Max show for more than 20 years, taking the rhinestones, sideburns, satin shirts and sunglasses wherever the spirit of Presley thrives in the hearts of the faithful.

"There are 10,000 Elvis impersonators in the world. But if you really love what you're doing and you have a good following, you do okay. Some people may tire of Elvis, but I know neither his fans nor me ever will."

With tribute acts proving big business in the entertainment world - especially in the mecca of kitsch, Las Vegas - Pellicano tries to stay as rooted to his craft and as respectful to the memory of his hero as he can. He doesn't allow it to spill over into parody or farce.

"Elvis always viewed impersonators in a good light," he insists. "He thought it was an honour that they wanted to be like him. I've never had a problem portraying Elvis. It's been an honour and a blessing. I leave the impersonation on stage. I never hang out in Elvis regalia. It would be a joke. Not very classy."

After growing up in New York City then San Francisco, where he studied arts at California State University, Pellicano aspired to Broadway and acting, but a lead role in a production of Bye Bye Birdie, the musical about Presley being drafted into the army in 1957, led to a three-year stint impersonating Presley in Hawaii. The Las Vegas Legends In Concert show followed, and the rest, as they say, is pseudo-history.

"I look at the recreation of Elvis as an acting experience," says Pellicano.

"My personality comes through on stage somewhat or it wouldn't be real. The attitude is the most important. If people don't like your vibe, you've lost them."

Besides being stationed in West Germany during his military service, Presley never really travelled or toured overseas. His international fans never got the chance to see the King in concert.

Even before Presley's death in 1977, impersonators helped keep the magic alive for fans throughout the world.

"He was the greatest entertainer of all time," Pellicano enthuses. "His music and style were unsurpassed, his personality infectious and his generosity was legend."

Elvis to the Max, starring Max Pellicano as Elvis, will tour Auckland, Tauranga, Hastings and Palmerston North this October.