Hangar to celebrate Elvis’ birthday
TROY, N.Y.» A group of local musicians are celebrating The King’s birthday this weekend at the annual Elvis Birthday Bash.
Elvis Presley, who was born on January of 1935, is remembered for his talents many decades later and still lauded as King of Rock and Roll.
Just before the late star’s would-be 83rd birthday, a group of area rockers are once again gathering to pay tribute to The King.
The Elvis Birthday Bash will take place at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 6 at The Hangar on the Hudson, located at 675 River St. in Troy.
This year’s show will include Johnny Rabb’s Big Band featuring The Tichy Boys, Mark Gamsjager of The Lustre Kings and other special guests.
While there are many Elvis impersonators around the world today, these local performers are all about the music. From Presley’s rockabilly mate- rial to his soulful love songs, and even lesser-known album cuts - Rabb and his gang will present a wide variety of music by The King, who has a great portfolio.
This birthday tribute concert, a longtime local tradition, started in 1980 at Pauly’s Hotel in Albany.
“We just have so much fun playing the songs and the music,” Rabb said on why they continue do it each year. “Even some of the really oddball stuff.”
Some of Presley’s 1960s content, intertwining with his focus on films, was considered mediocre at the time, but now has a special cult fandom, Rabb explained, giving the 1965 release “Do the Clam” as an example. “They were hardly even groovy when they came out,” he said, but nevertheless millions of albums and theatre tickets were sold.
Though Rabb, a Waterford native, grew up in a more Beatles generation, he was a exposed to the sounds of Elvis Presley at a young age from his older brother. “That’s kind of how I fell into being a fan,” Rabb said.
As Rabb got older and explored different genres, he said, “I kind of never forgot the music.”
Then shortly after Presley’s death, Rabb and his fellow musicians decided to start an annual show around The King’s birthday. “No impersonation, nothing like that - just doing the music.” he said.
Throughout the years, the event grew and grew, changing venues until it’s most recent move to The Hangar on the Hudson in Troy.
Even as the decades continue to fly by, area Elvis fans still come out year after year for the early January birthday bash.
Rabb said he and the other performers are really looking forward to the concert. “We always do, because everybody comes ready for it.” Admission is $10 per person. More information on this event is available online at www.facebook.com/theHangarTroy.