Elvis impersonators have been around since the mid-1950s, when the artist was just starting his career
It’s been 45 years since his death, yet the “King of Rock and Roll” still draws crowds who honor his life and work.
In the city of Belleville, in the US state of Michigan, the Michigan Elvisfest was recently organized, one of the largest festivals in North America dedicated to Elvis Presley.
It was started by artists who love to transform into Elvis on stage and want to honor his music and influence.
nothing makes me happy except these pictures of Elvisfest https://t.co/3To2wz5f4O
— NATE! (@corndruid) July 17, 2022
The event differs from most Elvis festivals because it’s not a competition, said Mary Decker, who has organized Michigan Elvisfest for more than 17 years.
The artists are all here to honor the life and spirit of Elvis through their performances, he explained.
Elvis impersonators have been around since the mid-1950s, when the artist was just starting his career. To make their performances as close as possible to the “king of rock and roll,” later generations of impersonators bought rhinestone-covered jumpsuits from Presley’s costume designer, Noody Cohn.
The King still draws a crowd at Michigan Elvisfest, one of the largest in North America
July 15, 2022
NIKI WILLIAMS and VANESSA LEROY@NPR #elvishttps://t.co/b1rQ8o07k6 pic.twitter.com/BSSxiX5L0k— Fluvial Fishes Lab Virginia Tech (@donaldorth) July 16, 2022
The Michigan festival was canceled two years in a row due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and this year Elvis fans were excitedly waiting to see their idol artists/impersonators on stage.
For the first time at the festival, 14-year-old Bryson Vines sang, who has been studying Elvis Presley’s songs and moves since he was seven years old.
His father is his manager and driver who takes him to his concerts, in which he performs Presley’s 1950s songs.
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