02 November,2016 10:29 AM IST | | Joanna Lobo
Attend a double trouble tribute act by a former Scottish soldier who promises to take you back to the glory days of the king of Rock 'n Roll
Kingsley with The Cadillac Band and Sweet Sensation singers. Pic/A vision of elvis Facebook page
Kingsley with The Cadillac Band and Sweet Sensation singers. Pic/A vision of elvis Facebook page
Rob Kingsley is an Elvis Presley fan. He was a young boy playing at a friend's house when he first heard the icon's Heartbreak Hotel and Blue Suede Shoes, and fell in love. He later joined the Royal Scots Army, whose local regiment was based in Germany, because Elvis had been in the army in Germany.
It has been quite a journey for the 48-year-old Scotsman - from serving in troubled areas like Northern Ireland and Kosovo to travelling the world with his Elvis Tribute act.
Elvis Presley
This weekend, for the first time in India and the city, you can watch Kingsley's Elvis take the stage at A Vision of Elvis, a tribute show organised in collaboration with Raell Padamsee's Numero Uno Productions. "We hope to bring you the excitement of an Elvis Vegas concert and all his classic songs," says Kingsley, who will be backed up by The Cadillac Band and Sweet Sensation singers.
Fans call A Vision of Elvis the best Elvis Presley tribute show you've ever seen. Kingsley as an Elvis impersonator has won accolades across the world. He is the 'Official European Champion' for winning Europe's Largest Elvis Tribute Artist competition. He was also the first Elvis Tribute Artist to perform live at the new Wembley Stadium. He has the looks, the charisma and the voice ,and he obviously adores the late singer.
Elvis Presley
His Elvis impersonation is thought through right down to the last detail. "I use wigs and get my suits made by Gene Doucette, who made Elvis's suits. Elvis used to love having fun on stage and he would put hats and big glasses on, so I like to do that sometimes," he says. So, besides the sideburns and the accent, expect to see the Elvis' GI uniform or the white Gospel suit or his trademark red jumpsuit from his Vegas shows.
And just like the man he impersonates, most of Kingsley's concerts have the women in the audience going wild and sometimes, even fainting with excitement. How does he get into character for the show? "I do the sound check with the band, then I go to my changing room and listen to Elvis. I spend about one hour just listening to him and getting ready.
That always works," he says. Kingsley's practice involves listening to Elvis' songs every day and watching DVDs and footage of his concerts.
The biggest compliment he received was from Ed Bonja, Elvis' tour manager and photographer in the '70s. "He told me I looked and talked like Elvis. He worked so closely with Elvis and it's also just so humbling when people say that they enjoyed my show," he adds.
The concert will include videos and snippets about Elvis' life. Guests have been told to dress up and come with their best Elvis impersonations.
On November 6, 5 pm and 8 pm
At Jamshed Bhabha Theatre, NCPA, Nariman Point.
Call 66223724
Cost Rs 1,150 to Rs 5,750
Quick takes
Favourite Elvis numbers
All of them! My favourite is An American Trilogy
Your take on contemporary music
I mostly listen to Elvis, so I don't follow any of the modern music genres
Most interesting performance
The Wembley Stadium in front of over 50,000 people
