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CULTURE-THAILAND
Elvises Live - 15,000 Miles From Graceland
By Shaun Wee
BANGKOK, Aug 7, 2007 (IPS) - Strobe lights beam into the distance as groovy beats and wild sounds permeate the atmosphere. With the boisterous crowd turning ballistic, it is hard to ignore this ongoing celebration. A typical screenshot of the Thai capital’s exuberant nightlife? No, not quite.
On Aug. 3, hundreds gathered at the grand ballroom of central Bangkok’s Asia Hotel to commemorate the death of a king. It has been 30 years since Elvis Aaron Presley, the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, ended his glorious reign when he collapsed and died of a violent heart attack in his mansion in Memphis, Tennessee in the United States. Before his death on Aug. 16, 1977, the music prodigy had successfully sent the world into a trance by producing evergreen hits such as ‘Hound Dog’ and Jailhouse Rock’.
With irrepressible jubilation and unrestrained flamboyance, the ‘30th Elvis Presley Memory Lives on 2007’ concert here was not a mere anniversary of death, but rather, a gala celebration of life - and legend.
Some among the largely middle-aged crowd wore their bell-bottomed trousers and their aviator shades for the event that went on until midnight. The impersonators had these on, as well as sequined or caped tops with huge stand-up collars and their even more huge (fake) sideburns. There was a thin Elvis, Elvises with paunches, Elvises in a mix of costumes and colour - shocking yellow, blue, black, but all of them had one thing in common - Elvis’ signature greased hair.
"This is my fifth time attending the Elvis concert," says Kiattisaknikorn Thanakorn, a financial advisor in his 60s. Admitting that he understands meagre portions of Elvis’ English lyrics, Kiattisaknikorn explains that both he and his elder brother have been Elvis fans since childhood.
"His fashion sense, his dancing and his voice once made huge impacts on the lives of many, and it’s now possible for everyone to revisit the past by simply attending concerts like this," comments Kiattisaknikorn.
First organised by the Asia Hotel in 1997, this annual Elvis commemoration event draws hundreds and thousands of individuals from all walks of life. These include impersonators, fans, tourists, as well as hotel guests - tickets for the Aug. 3 event ranged from 24 to 45 US dollars. Many other Elvis events have spawned around Thailand, which is a not-always-known sanctuary for aspiring Asian Elvis impersonators.
"This is close to my tenth year in Bangkok impersonating Elvis," recalls Rudy Souza, an Elvis impersonator from Macau who performed at the concert. Currently working in Macau’s hotel and casino industry, the private entertainer, who has won several Elvis look-alike competitions in his hometown, speaks of his adoration for the music legend: "Although Elvis Presley’s death was unbelievable, I feel as though I am reviving his legacy whenever I impersonate."
Through performance after performance by a string of impersonators on stage that night, Elvis’ timeless melodies and tunes sustained the audience for hours, leaving them begging for more. The glittery ambience, created by dazzling sequins from the costumes, transformed the ballroom into a 60s dance arena, prompting couples like U.S. tourists Ann Casper and Karl Deringer, who came dressed in 60s-era outfits, to head for the dance floor.
The crowd tirelessly prefaced each familiar song with a wild cheer, but as soon as the impersonators’ thunderous Elvis voice bellowed through the ballroom, abrupt silence from the floor preceded continuous instances of blinding camera flashes.
"Although this is only my second time here, if I’m available I will come every year," remarks Tadthep Sujitjom, a 50-year-old businessman. "This event is a good opportunity for fans to make new friends with others who share the same interests - people my age need social gatherings like this," he adds. "Although Elvis was popular back in the 60s, and perhaps with his death, he’s even more popular today, I don’t quite fancy his acting," says Tadthep in jest.
But Papontee Veerapravati, the youngest performer that night, begs to differ: "Elvis is not dead yet. He’s still in everyone’s hearts." His mother says he took to Elvis’ music after seeing his parents listening to his songs. "I started impersonating Elvis five years ago because I was hooked on Elvis’ music," added the 12-year-old student at an international school in Bangkok, who calls himself ‘Elvis Pro’.
Most performers ultimately just want people to know about Elvis "so that the king doesn’t die", explains Papontee.
Although the ‘30th Elvis Presley Memory Lives on 2007’ concert was designed to unite Elvis fans and even for just a while, step back into the past, Elvis himself would have been proud to know that proceeds from a portion of the ticket sales went to the Thai Red Cross Society.
"Thank you, Thank you very much,’’ Elvis might have told Thailand.
(END)
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