the King lives on
Marking 40th anniversary of the King’s death, show will come to Truro
Thane Dunn is world renowned for his show that pays tribute to Elvis Presley. With 2017 being the 40th anniversary of Presley’s death, Dunn has mounted a special tour, with a stop planned for Truro.
Thane Dunn isn’t just some karaoke crusher.
The Elvis Presley tribute artist has dedicated his life to bringing the slick-haired crooner back to life for discerning audiences.
He says he didn’t become a world-champion by not taking himself seriously.
“I work so hard at this. It’s almost like this is an amazing role and I’m an actor giving this my all,” said Dunn.
“I look, sound and move like the man. I try to create a fantasy for the audience, like they’re seeing Elvis onstage in the 70s. I’m constantly trying to be authentic, and Elvis fans get fussier, expect more, and I give them more.”
The Moncton-based artist is in the midst of preparing for a seven-date Maritime tour marking the 40th anniversary of Presley’s death. One stop will be in Truro, Oct. 7 at the Cobequid Educational Centre.
“I’ve never been more pumped for shows and I’ve added something wonderful. This exclusivity deal with Bill Baize in Canada is unbelievable,” he said.
Baize was the singer of JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, who performed with Elvis from 197176. He has now given Dunn his stamp of approval.
“He is the closest thing to Elvis I’ve ever seen and it is a pleasure to perform with him,” Baize said in a news release.
The admiration is mutual. “He doesn’t play with people who do what I do, so to be with him and to have him say he wouldn’t perform with anyone who does this but me was unbelievable,” said Dunn.
“This guy sang at Elvis’ funeral,
and it’s a dream come true.”
But things aren’t always easy for Dunn, who says he sometimes feels like he has something to prove to the public, who may believe tribute acts are cheesy.
“I’ve tried to turn this into an art form. I want to give a taste of what it would have been like to see him on stage. He was an absolute superstar, and just him shaking his leg could drive people crazy,” he said.
“I’m a tribute artist, and trust me, I wouldn’t be doing this if I
wasn’t doing him justice.”
He still gets a kick out of the love of Elvis he sees, and the feeling he gets when he sees a whole audience singing together.
“Seeing Elvis is like seeing the eighth world wonder, and I can only imagine how it was. I’ve studied him so much I feel like I know him,” he said. “One reason he was so successful is that fans felt a bond with him no other artist could duplicate.”
Dunn is giving Elvis fans worldwide a chance to win an authenticated
Elvis Presley autograph with letter of authenticity signed by Marty Lacker of the Elvisfamed Memphis Mafia.Go.
“His autograph is rare and most fans that have one would never part with it. I secured one and I just really want people to have a chance at it,” he said.
Dunn has been caught offguard by some of the praise he has gained, and though he only used to do the 1970s era of Presley’s catalogue, he’s branching out this time.
“There was so much stuff I couldn’t sing before, especially the high notes. But with Bill Baize giving me voice lessons, suddenly I can do things I never could before,” he said. “Nothing feels forced, and we decided if this was working it was time to give fans what they want.”
He said the Maritimes love Elvis, and he has found great success as the No. 1 Presley tribute artist in the area.
“So many guys who do what I do have come and couldn’t sell tickets. In this industry, I’m glad I can perform and inspire people in such a way that I take the joke out of what I do,” he said.