BEHIND THE BLUE SUEDE SHOES
Johnny Elvis has been crowned ‘Best Welsh Elvis’ but what’s life really like when you spend your evenings moonlighting as The King
BY day he’s a mild-manneredmi supermarket butcher – b but by night John David Thomas becom becomes sequined god Johnny Elvis! The 48-year-old has se served customers at Tesco Extra for the past 30 yea years – and for half that time has been moonlighting as The King, performing at charity events, int international competitions and everything in between. His son Jac,J 13, even has the middle name Presley. But wh what is life on the road really like for the man voted “Best Welsh El Elvis” at this year’s legendary PorthcawlPorthc Elvis Festival? Will HaywardHa found out... Early d days and getting shook up John was introduced to Elvis impersonation byb fellow Presley tribute Rockin’ Dav Dave Riely. “I started out doing small things like charity performances where I would just d do one or two songs,” he said. “I then had to look at buying the jumpsuits.” “You can do it two ways” said John. “You can eith either buy a fancy dress for about £30 or you c can get a professional one that starts at about £ £400. “You can get stupid prices where you could pay £4,000. “Once you have the suit you get promoted when you reach a certain level. “My wife is managing director at Cylch Meithrin and they agreed to sponsor my suit if I perform free at their events and put their name on my flyers.” On stage If you thought there was one way to impersonate Elvis you would be wrong.
Some performers try and stay as true as possible to Elvis whereas some, like John, are more focused on entertainment.
Johnny Elvis said: “I am quite loopy and throw in impressions, dances and accents.
“You always get people who will come up to you and say that you got a particular lyric wrong but they don’t realise there are 498 songs you have to learn.” I What makes a great Elvis? John, whose favourite song is Long Black Limousine, is a real student of the game when it comes to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.
Apparently you can’t just grow sideburns and shake your hips to be a true Elvis.
“The first thing I do is close my eyes and listen to the voice when seeing someone for the first time,” said the Llantrisant-based performer.
“It needs to have Elvis in there, it needs that depth. It is then about the look. A lot of people wear the glasses but Elvis never wore them on stage, he put them on after he performed. “The suits have also got to match the songs. “Finally, they also have to be able to build a rapport with the audience.” Graceland Every Elvis worth his salt needs to make a pilgrimage to the Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tennessee. Unfortunately Johnny Elvis still hasn’t managed to get there.
John said: “I am going there next year for the 40th anniversary of his death.” Why The King? For people who aren’t fans of Elvis it can be hard to understand such obsession. John said: “I have always been a fan of his. His whole way of life was about charity.
“He was an all-round good guy, he had time for anybody. I just wish I [had been] around to see one of his shows.”