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Elvis Will Never Leave the Building |
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Aug 18, 2006 at 12:00 AM |
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august 18 & 19 Elvis Presley died just a few days before I was going to see his first show in eons Aug. 16, 1977. He was starting his umpteenth comeback tour in Maine (where I lived) and I  copyright Lew Allen
reprinted with permission |
wasn’t sure what to expect. I was a little fearful it’d be the Vegas fat Elvis that was more self-parody than rock ‘n’ roll. I knew it would be showbiz shtick. I hoped there’d be some echo of the man who meant so much. His death alleviated those fears and then it was time to ponder his great work and sad drug-induced, toilet-seat end. I knew there would be Elvis tributes to come but I had no idea it would become the industry it now is. Elvis is everywhere, as Mojo Nixon sang in song. “He” is most certainly at the Regent Theatre in Arlington Aug. 18 and 19, and “he” will be accompanied by D.J. Fontana, Presley’s drummer for 14 years. And, actually, “he” is two people – young Elvis Donny Edwards and older Elvis Shawn Klush. So beginning at 8 p.m., it’s a night of dueling – but we’re guessing amicable – Elvises singing “Don’t Be Cruel,’’ “Love Me Tender,’’ “Hunk of Burning Love” and “In the Ghetto.” Donny won the People’s Choice Award for Best 50s Elvis in a 2005 Nashville contest; the next year he took first in a Tribute to the King contest and grabbed 25 Gs at the Isle of  copyright Lew Allen
reprinted with permission |
Capri in Ms. (The Jordanaires backed him up!) Donny’s doing the rock ‘n’ roll Elvis. As to Shawn, he portrayed Elvis in the “Shake, Rattle and Roll” mini-series on CBS, won a World Elvis Tribute Contest. Each year he stars in the Elvis Birthday Tribute Tour. Shawn’s doing the Vegas and concert years Elvis. Bonus: The theater is exhibiting the classic and rare photos Lew Allen took of Elvis and other rock stars of the ‘50s (Bobby Darin, Buddy Holly, the Everly Brothers, etc.). Tickets for this blizzard of El are $27.50. 7 Medford St., Arlington, 781-646-4849 or regenttheatre.com |
