Critics have described Max Pellicano, who will perform in Geelong this month, as Elvis “resurrected” after his three decades performing as the King.
The New York impersonator said he was humbled to be regarded as an “incarnation” of Elvis.
“I don’t know if it’s true, but it is nice to hear,” he told the Indy.
“I do my best to recreate him on stage – not only with the songs and his voice, but with his movements. And his personality and the great humour he had – he was really an entertainer.”
Pellicano started singing Elvis songs when he was 11 years old and spent years studying and practising the King’s moves.
“I would grab videotapes and slow them down to watch his movements. You can only really do it by watching it in slow motion,” he said.
“I’d also tape his songs and slow them down to get every inflexion in his accent and all that – I’ve spent a lot of time in front of the television trying to learn it.”
Fast-forward a few decades and Pellicano is celebrating his 25th anniversary of performing as Elvis in Australia.
“Definitely coming to Australia was the big highlight for me,” he said.
“I never expected to perform overseas. I went to a Catholic school in New York and we used to learn about Australia in geography class, so performing here has been fantastic.”
Despite his uncanny resemblance to the King, Pellicano admitted no-one can be “exactly” like him.
“Elvis is Elvis and nobody will ever be Elvis – some of my own personality comes through.”
Even his costumes are exact replicas made by Elvis’ personal tailor Bill Below.
“It’s all part of the show; it kind of makes it. When you walk up on stage you really feel like the King,” Pellicano said.
Pellicano encouraged people to “stick around after the show”.
“I’d like to say hi to them.”
Elvis to the Max plays Geelong Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 31 August.
