Dennis Wise is the ultimate Elvis Presley fan. You can see Dennis Wise on Friday, August 16 and Saturday, August 17 at ), For Caywood, Gamble, and Wise, the scars have healed or are now barely detectable; Gambles mustache covers up his lip cut. One of the most popular modern plays dealing with Elvis impersonation is Lee Hall's Cooking with Elvis (1999). Wise has been performing his Elvis act longer than almost anybody since 1977. He talked about re-creating Buddy Holly, Jimi Hendrix, and the members of Lynyrd Skynyrd whod died in a plane crash the year before. As far back as the Seventies, touring and club acts meticulously did their best to look and sound like the Doors or the very much alive Bruce Springsteen, and tourists in Manhattan flocked to Beatlemania, a Fab Four tribute that ran on Broadway for two years. After the semi-highs of their casino days, they found themselves scrambling to survive, selling magazines to convenience stores and even hawking their own blood to pay the bills, as they told the Orlando Sentinel. Watching from afar as he attempted to revive his deflated career as a new Elvis, Dennis Wise had his worries. Later that year, he was joined by the rest of the clone army for their post-surgery reveal on the daytime show America Alive! I bless you, Daniel ODay, she says, for opening up such a large part of my life that came out of that.. Tourists would visit the mansion and then stop by Wises club for the tribute act. When I found out I was going to do this, I said, Well, enough of [health food], and I went out and had a cheeseburger with a shot of whiskey and beer. To dispel any doubts about the actual alcohol in her onstage bottle, shed pour some of it into the glasses of skeptical fans in the front rows, and watch as they gulped it down and realized they were drinking genuine Southern Comfort. New York-native Erin Feinberg is a master observer of musical subcultures, and has snapped diehard tribes of metal-heads, prog-rockers, and punks. Ehlert performed throughout the Chicago Metro Area until Elvis died, then traveled the country with his act. I have no idea. Jim called Dennis, who was then selling Toyotas at a Honolulu dealership, and asked if hed want to come to Arkansas and try out for their band. Palaios, v.8, pp.623624. He has performed more than 10,000 shows as an Elvis impersonator. "We're not here to try to take his place. The film version also stars Ossie Davis as Jack, a black man who claims to be John F. Kennedy. For Elvis tribute artists like Trent Carlini, Jesse Garon, Darren Lee and Pete "Big Elvis" Vallee, the message they try to relate on stage is one of fun energy and high intensity, a routine that Elvis himself would be proud of. I would tell those people not to do it. (Blame it on the club owner, ODay said in response.) What followed was anything but conventional, even during an era, the Seventies, when genuine rock stars would pop up on campy network TV specials. The horns, strings and vocals of the Holladay Sisters were later overdubbed. SELECT OPTIONS SAVE TO CART And he has four . Keeping his spirit alive are tens of thousands of professional Elvis impersonators around the world, and millions more who do it for kicks. "[17], However, the Elvis industry includes "professional Elvis impersonator registries." [16], According to Gael Sweeney, Elvis impersonation offers a spectacle of the grotesque, the display of the fetishized Elvis body by impersonators who use a combination of Christian and New Age imagery and language to describe their devotion to The King. CONTINUE ON TO: Dennis Wise knows exactly where he was when Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977. On their way out of Nevada after the tour ended, a few of the singers and band members made a pit stop in the desert. All of a sudden, it started hurting real bad, Wise recalls. (I knew it wasnt the original, the woman said of ODay. The main character of Cartoon Network's Johnny Bravo is heavily influenced by Elvis along with James Dean and Michael Jackson. Jesus Christ thats some twisted shit, says Croces son A.J., who was only a grade schooler when ODay hired an upstart to be resculpted as Croces father. What if, instead of one altered rocker, he had an all-star ensemble of them? Other Samoan Elvis's include Elvis of Samoa,[64] and Nifae Fepuleai. They mainly fall under three main levels of impersonation, which are: Enacting a typical 70s Elvis concert is a preferred choice of most ETAs; however, some ETAs may portray various phases of Presley's career in a single show. Climaxes of the play are surreal fantasy scenes in which Dad's hallucinatory Elvis dreams are bursting into popular Presley songs as a reminiscence of his one-time persona of Elvis impersonator. More recent titles include photo essays, Living the Life by Patty Carroll and The King and I: A little Gallery of Elvis Impersonators by Kent Baker and Karen Pritkin. Events tend to attract large numbers of amateur Elvis impersonators and Elvis fans. (Read the full story, which has plenty of photos.). "That was a very strange day," Wise says. But that doesnt mean his interest in the King has waned. All rights reserved. He was popular in the South, but not so much around the rest of the country. But dad drove a truck and was gone all the time and so Mom always listened to Elvis records. He spent years touring the U.S., living a rock and roll lifestyle while playing his favorite music. In this country, we always want what we cant have, ODay once said. I got up one night and did Heartbreak Hotel and the fans liked it, Wise says. Admission is $10. Wise still feels he and ODay could have gone all the way with the act: He had Disney World, all these people calling us he had it in the palm of his hand and let it go, he says. In the Digimon Adventure anime, one of the main villains, Etemon has the character of an Elvis impersonator. From a standpoint of being original and doing something that wasnt being done, I give him credit for putting his neck on the line. He could have made a killing in Atlantic City., Some involved in Rock and Roll Heaven wanted to forget it ever existed. By coincidence, Wise had a brother, Dennis, who knew how to sing like Elvis. The small western New South Wales town of Parkes in Australia has been hosting the Parkes Elvis Festival since 1993, which includes a special "Elvis Express" train from Sydney to Parkes. Since Wise was persona non Presley in ODays world, a new King was needed. Dennis Wise is the ultimate fan and the ultimate Elvis performer, with more than 10,000 shows honoring the king. Ive got this kid who does a great Otis Redding, but hes white, he said straight-faced. Hazebroucks lips were enlarged and lowered, and his straight hair was given a Croce-style perm. Priscilla Presley's favourite Elvis impersonator TYSONGREER SHADY 17.7K subscribers Subscribe 3.5K Share Save 306K views 1 year ago Show more Show more Shawn Klush World's Greatest Elvis 3:32. released "Just Pretending" by Kurt Burrows is full of tips on how to talk, sing and dress like Elvis. Nelson even performed alongside Presley when they first met, also in 1954. [4][5], Contrary to popular belief, Elvis impersonators have existed since the mid-1950s, just after Elvis Presley himself began his career. He wanted all the glory. ACCESS RIGHTS ONLY. Their fellow townspeople understand this sentiment, but in the final scene they are shown burning those selfsame photographs, which display both Oscar and Emma dressed as Elvis. repertoire, Dennis can answer most any request. Danny was flabbergasted I said that, says Wise. Elvis Presley: The King's best impersonators. Described as the original and best-known Elvis Presley tribute artist, Dennis Wise has performed more than 10,000 shows in all 50 states and in other countries including Peru, England and Japan. 'The World's Greatest Elvis impersonator..EVER!' Rick Bonner 335 subscribers Subscribe 132 121K views 9 years ago A both serious and humerous collection of the world's greatest Elvis. (Actually, they didnt go on the road so fast: The first gig, at a club in St. Petersburg, Florida, perhaps aptly named J.P. Bottoms Lounge, never happened. She wouldnt let go, he chuckles. Gradually Elvis became a bigger part of the act. We just sort of grew apart, she says with a sigh. In 40 years, its become more acceptable to do something like that, compared to back then, says Eyellusions Pezzuti. Another Filipino Elvis impersonator is singer businessman Chito Bertol who also impersonates Elvis Presley mostly at Bistro RJ Bar in Makati City, and sometimes occasionally performs every year with Filipino singer businessman Ramon Jacinto who was the founder of Bistro RJ and his radio station DZRJ 100.3 FM & his TV station DZRJ TV 29 in the Philippines. Lilo and Stitch is a 2002 animated Disney movie that has Stitch, a blue alien, impersonate Elvis for a scene. But thanks to that original operation, Wise still makes a respectable living re-creating Elvis in the Deja Vu Dance and Show Band, a multi-artist tribute act in Vegas. Item Information. I feel weird saying this, but basically I was the hit of the show, says Caywood. The Disney Channel sitcoms Hannah Montana and The Suite Life of Zack & Cody both featured main characters dressing up and acting like Elvis. Rhyne survived, and overcome by guilt, ODay brought her to Florida to help with her recovery. Dennis Wise knows exactly where he was when Elvis Presley died Aug. 16, 1977. In Annalee Newitz and Matt Wray, eds.. Sweeney, "The King of White Trash Culture," p.262. People loved it.. (Rhyne, by then remarried and known as Deborah Erin Bertalan, died of complications from a brain tumor in 2011. [65], Malaysia has Tony Warren who is known as "the Tom Jones of Malaysia". And with that, another lightbulb flicked on. [59][60] Like Alphonso Keil before him,[61] Angel regularly performs at the Parkes Elvis Festival, an event that now attracts 20,000. The band ended up in Hawaii. [55] During the 1960s, he played drums with Sonny Day and The Sundowners. "That was a very strange day," Wise says. The comedy centers on the family life of Dad, an Elvis impersonator who was paralyzed in a car crash and is forced to spend the rest of his life in a wheel chair. [53], Alphonso Keil was an Elvis impersonator and professional musician. Elvis was only the beginning. There are also three "how to" guides, Be Elvis! We did a couple of state fairs where there were, like, four people in the audience., Overall, the short-lived careers of Danny ODays Rock and Roll Heaven tribute band made a pretty minute dent in music history. It was his seventeenth and last number-one single in the United States. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. In The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, a dancer named Tott with a striking resemblance to Elvis Presley appears on Windfall Island. 'True' impersonators believe that they are 'chosen' by The King to continue His work and judge themselves and each other by their 'Authenticity' and ability to 'Channel' Elvis' true essence. Smith's physical resemblance to Elvis and his mannerisms happened to catch the attention of DJ Norm Pringle of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, who had been playing "That's All Right, Mama" and "Heartbreak Hotel" on the radio. Saturdays show will be a family affair. If it turns out [the chemist] can deliver the goods, then well give the kid the pigment. Hearing those comments again, Gamble sighs: That sounds like sitting down and talking to him. This has seen some impact on what Elvis impersonators and contests have on the media and marketing industry. James said that late one night, he was fooling around on his Fender guitar and using his Hammond organ pedals for a bass line and came up with what he thought was a catchy melody. "First of all, you don't. In "Wedding Card," an episode of the Canadian sitcom Corner Gas, Oscar and Emma Leroy admit to having no photos of their wedding because "it was an Elvis wedding". My first gig was in March 1978 in Florida. Soon after he received a call from his brother in Little Rock, Ark. Dennis began his professional tribute to Elvis in 1978, a year after the I wanted to be an entertainer, and who doesnt want to be like Elvis come on!, Effie insists the idea was her late husbands. By the mid-Eighties, ODay was running out of schemes. Jack Singer, played by Nicolas Cage, encounters a group of "Flying Elvises" (skydiving Elvis impersonators) while trying to reunite with his fiance. ODay later admitted the idea was also suggested by Rhyne and that he had his own doubts: I said, What, are you crazy? Playwright Charlotte Jones' award-winning play "Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis"[32] opened 15 April 1999 at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton. Danny pulls in with a brand-new Burt Reynolds Trans Am, he says. In the Sledge Hammer! By 1978, Elvis wasnt the only rock star in the grave; the body count was rising. listening to the recordings of Elvis on the family phonograph. Bags were removed from under OConnells eyes, and wrinkles from his cheeks. I wanted to give him some stability, so we decided to find a home in the Entertainment Capital.. We're dealing with a man who can never be replaced. ODay who used the word clone while agreeing that that wasnt quite the right scientific term for what he had paid doctors to do even boasted hed found a chemist in Los Angeles who could alter someones pigment. The Flim Flam Band continued working, in what ODays cousin Paul Patten calls the Howard Johnsons tour of lounges in those family-vacation hotels. "You're no longer the other guy, you're the 'King.' Dennis Wise has been paying tribute to Elvis for more than 30years. Dave Ehlert from Waukegan, IL began performing as Elvis in 1967 a full 10 years before Elvis died. The Casino is not part of the Hotel and is not part of the JW Marriott system. appealed to everybody. We want to hear it. He would be in the traditional Elvis dress from the waist up, but from below the waist was in Bermuda shorts and bare feet. by Rick Marino, a well-known tribute artist, released in 2000 by Sourcebooks and the more recent, The Elvis Impersonation Kit by Laura Lee, released in 2006 by Black Dog and Leventhal Publishers. Ramona Caywood then Mona Caywood Moore was playing bar gigs in Ohio, in a band called Stage Fright, when she received a call from a friend in the business. Caywood wound up taking the gross heap home with her, with the thought of encasing it in glass and turning it into a coffee table. [50][51] Another single of his, released on the Fire Mountain label in 1980, "Just One Look" by "Darling" is a sought after collectors item. In 2003, at age 54, ODay succumbed to non-Hodgkins lymphoma. We just want to bring back Luckily, Gamble says, he was able to point to a Rock and Roll Heaven billboard with his face on it, and he got away with just a warning. Spencer would perform as Elvis (often in a gold lam suit) as the main part of a mini-set in which he also did other impersonations of figures such as Buddy Holly and slide guitarist Elmore James. In fact, the clones didnt need the bandages, but ODay, ever the showman, insisted they keep the wraps on for maximum suspense. (Singing) Wise men say only fools rush in, for I can't help falling in love with you. During Despite the media splash and countless articles that accompanied it, Rock and Roll Heaven didnt exactly rock the house when it launched. Erwin, D.H. and Droser, M.L., 1993. The music will be all Elvis, from the Vegas years. His admiration for Elvis has spanned over forty years. Finding the right plastic surgeon to tweak Wises lips and cheeks and straighten his nose was tougher. "PM Magazine," "Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon" and "American In pop music, the tradition of the tribute band, the imitator, the impersonator, is now as durable as the concert T-shirt or the demand for an encore. Joplin had overdosed eight years before, and Caywood knew the repertoire well. He would just come out with that stuff, you know?, Newspaper headline writers reveled in the weirdness of Rock and Roll Heaven, dubbing it the cloneheads and referring to ODay as the clone ranger. ODay brushed off any and all skepticism. Now, he travels the world with his Elvis Tribute Show. That landed him appearances on Good Morning America and The Mike Douglas Show., Cosmetic plastic surgery was just a novelty back then. ", and Miley's brother Jackson, in Hannah Montana, impersonated Elvis twice: The first time was to fool a gossip reporter, as a coverup, after Miley accidentally blabbed the Hannah-secret to her; and the second time was when Miley and Lily impersonated Dolly Parton and Miley's "Mamaw" Ruthie, respectively, after it came out that Ruthie and Dolly (portrayed by Parton herself) had a fight over Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators, commonly known as Elvis tribute artists (ETAs), work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts remain in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis. Last year, he earned $54 million, topping the list of dead performers who are still making money. In 1978 Wise went through extensive plastic surgery to make himself look more like Elvis. As it turned out, Duke OConnell, the drummer in an ODay-managed cover band called the Copycats, had been singing Doors songs in that group. (Photo by Getty Images) Save PURCHASE A LICENSE Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and how you want to use this asset. "[25] In her paper, "Women Who 'Do Elvis'", Case Western Reserve University researcher Francesca Brittan deals with female Elvis Presley impersonators and finds them to be "campy, cheeky, and often disturbingly convincing. [8] Jeremy Spencer of British blues-rock band Fleetwood Mac became known for his high-energy Elvis tribute performances during his tenure with the band. He was the winner of the competition. He was a former dancer with a Polynesian troupe. But he hit a snag: According to his musicians, the Vegas casino establishment wanted ownership of the idea and were less interested in working with ODay himself. The Complete History of Elvis Impersonators in 10 minutes [from the documentary Almost Elvis] BlueSuedeFilms 1.65K subscribers Subscribe 43K views 14 years ago The complete history of Elvis. When I take these people in, they already have a basic resemblance to the person I want them to look like, he said. Stinson doesn't skimp on his Graceland shows. True impersonators don't 'do Elvis' for monetary gain, but as missionaries to spread the message of The King. The first night, Wise was singing Love Me Tender and passing out scarves la the King when a woman in the crowd came up and grabbed him in the crotch. About then Wise began managing a band that included his brother, Jim. Rock and Roll Heaven, the touring extravaganza he conceived and promoted, didnt just pay homage to one deceased icon, but four of them: Elvis, Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, and Jim Croce. Professional Elvis impersonators, commonly known as Elvis tribute artists (ETAs), work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts remain in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis. In 1956, shortly after Elvis began to rise in popularity, Smith began jumping on stage and imitating Elvis. The international guide I am Elvis, for instance, contains "photos, repertoire, and personal testimonies that serve to materialize the phenomenon of Elvis impersonation and further institutionalize it, including female Elvii, child Elvii, Black Elvii, El Vez the Mexican Elvis, and scores of British, German, Greek and Indian Elvii. From as early as five years old, Dennis can remember The atmosphere and show itself proved to be too much for Rhyne. Fans who wish to pay homage to the King of Rock n Roll might enjoy attending Wises annual show commemorating the passing of Elvis. Kwok Lam-sang, known as Melvis, was a long-time Elvis impersonator in Hong Kong. When Wise reexamined his contract at the time, he realized hed signed with ODay for 50 years and that ODay was entitled to half his earnings. His brother had arranged an The original unaired pilot even had Johnny Bravo as a literal Elvis Presley impersonator. He almost never talked about his previous life or Rock and Roll Heaven with family (including a son, Andrew, who performs solo and with an Eighties tribute band around D.C.). The final Elvis impersonator made a splash by parachuting in on top of a car. >Las Vegas Entertainment Today Home Page It was like the stream of consciousness off the top of his head. '"[13] Professional Elvis impersonation can be called a special branch of the entertainment industry. It was just not right. The Reno Gazette-Journal agreed, noting, Caywood-Moores Ball and Chain is a showstopper., As the Reno run began winding down, ODay planned to take Rock and Roll Heaven to its natural destination: Las Vegas. Hazebrouck, who was still performing as Croce, rejoined ODay and Rhyne for a Kenny, Linda, and Jim show. He was from the same family that made up the Keil Isles. In paleontology, researchers D.H. Erwin and M.L. With his sandy-brown hair, six-foot-plus height, and strong voice, ODay had the goods: He had talent, and he could play almost any instrument there was, Effie recalls. He would sit around talking about things like that. He could visualize things happening or ways to promote them. He performed regularly at the Elvis in the Park concerts at Cranwell Park in Henderson, Auckland, New Zealand, New Zealand. My dad has been an Elvis Tribute Artist for over 30 years. >Las Vegas Leisure Guide. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. ODay also landed them an appearance on Tom Snyders late-night network talk show. After the tape was mixed, James and Chips flew to New York, where James's manager had contacts with Scepter Records. There Wise lay, on a table in an Orlando hospital, surrounded by photos of the King. In an episode of How I Met Your Mother Marshall and Lily are serenaded by a Korean Elvis. And I said, Well, you know, I guess I could do something. Caywood was up for singing Joplin tunes: I thought, Cool, that sounds fun! Im famous for picking up and moving my entire life. It also featured Clearance Giddens, a black Elvis. first song, he got the job. (The first was a 1981 skit about a sleazy Rock and Roll Heaven marketing company, featuring Eddie Murphy, that made a joke about the Three Js Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and Jim Croce.) In 1978, the clone tour was cited in Rolling Stones year-end issue, under the header The Brides of Funkenstein. (Two aspiring women performers underwent plastic surgery: one to look like a female Elvis; the other, Janis Joplin.) But almost as soon as it arrived, Rock and Roll Heaven imploded, and ODay became the smallest of footnotes in pop history books. In Fallout: New Vegas, the Kings are an Elvis-themed gang based out of the "King's School of Impersonation". It was in his blood, and I want to think it was the drinking that prohibited him from doing more with his life. For reasons that remain mysterious, ODay completely turned his back on show business and began working in sales for car dealerships in the greater Baltimore and Washington, D.C., area. Impersonating a dead pop star, or reviving them virtually, is one thing. I just say, I want plastic surgery done on her nose and his chin and this and that and, oh, by the way, I just happen to have a picture here of exactly what we want done. When the six-hour procedure was finished, Wise was rolled out in a wheelchair, his face covered in bandages. It is cured by visiting a psychologist, who tells the patient how ridiculous he/she look[31]. Due to confusion about who is going as Elvis all three do it, appearing in sequence as Elvis at different stages of his career, winning the competition. international record is an honor shared only by Las Vegas entertainers In the mid-1970s, Andy Kaufman made an Elvis impersonation part of his act. Also recently[when?] Airlines have offered discount fares for look-alikes on Elvis holidays His omnipresence hauntingly hovers"[19], In August 1996, Elvis Herselvis, a female Elvis impersonator and drag king, who had been invited to take part in the Second International Elvis Presley Conference held at the University of Mississippi in order "to test the limits of race, class, sexuality and property," was banned from this event by the conservative sponsors of Elvis Presley Enterprises.[20]. A season one episode of Full House had the character Uncle Jesse (John Stamos) play Elvis in a concert. there are currently no upcoming events. From left: Caywood as Joplin, Rhyne as female Elvis, Hazebrouck as Croce, Gamble as Elvis, and OConnell as Morrison. This is a publicly distributed handout. A both serious and humerous collection of the world's greatest Elvis impersonators. For more information, please call (702) 631-7000. Fans Also Viewed Monster Jam See all 201 Events Monster Energy Supercross See all 13 Events Ed Sheeran The results could be comical: Caywood recalls a drive when some of them were pulled over by cops, who thought the bandaged people in the van were thieves. Dennis's than 10,000 shows honoring the king. ODays first choice bailed when his name leaked to the press. But for ODay, it probably didnt matter: He already had a bigger, grander, and wilder scheme in mind. But the fans gave their tender love to Shawn Klush of Pittston, PA, crowning him King in the finale. Get ready, music lovers, because Record Store Day 2023 is right around the corner! Almost Elvis[29] is a 75-minute 2001 documentary film that follows a variety of professional Elvis impersonators such as they prepare for a large annual contest in Memphis, Tennessee. Wise is King for a Night on Saturday at Boulder Station. "He was way ahead of the curve," says Jeff Pezzuti, founder of Eyellusion, responsible for recent. Croce had perished in a plane crash in 1973, but Marc Hazebrouck, a former truck driver and psychology major from Rhode Island, was already playing songs by Croce and had a droopy mustache to match. At a hotel pool in Florida, an on-message ODay introduced his clones to a writer from the Miami News and regaled the reporter with tales from his rock & roll crypt. Condition: Pre-owned Pre-owned In the aftermath of the collapse of Rock and Roll Heaven, Danny ODay went in search of an encore. Elvis Has Left the Building a film in which a woman kills multiple Elvis impersonators. Caywood remembers ODay as a big ol shyster, but the tour launched her into roles in productions of Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar, as well as an extended run at a Palm Springs club (singing both new and classic pop hits) until her recent retirement. When I heard that, it struck me as funny. [34], An Elvis impersonator in Arkansas, who legally had his name changed to Elvis Presley,[35] unsuccessfully ran for the positions of Arkansas Commissioner of State Lands in 2014, Arkansas State Senator of District 26 in 2016, and U.S. Representative of Arkansas's District 1 in 2018. One of the first books to document the phenomenon was, I Am Elvis: A Guide to Elvis Impersonators released by American Graphic Systems in 1991. For example, an ETA may open his show with a 50s set dressed in appropriate attire (such as a gold lame jacket), reenactments of musical scenes from Presley's movies, and/or reenactments of segments from the '68 Comeback Special; and after an intermission closes his show with a full-blown 70s concert dressed in an appropriate jumpsuit. These talented artists can pose for photos, perform Elvis's greatest hits, emcee corporate events, and sometimes officiate weddings just like in Vegas. Even though James's recording initially had not been commercially successful, upon reviewing the song Elvis decided he could turn it into a hit. But . An Elvis impersonator is an entertainer who impersonates or copies the look and sound of American musician and singer Elvis Presley. 9 reviews. ., Silhouettes by Paul Guzzo, Record Details, Catalogue: 3829/M15-3829, Elvis Lives! covering all phases of Presley's recording career, including rock `n' It was her motivation that helped him become an Elvis tribute artist. choose a career that pays tribute to the King of Rock and Roll. Dragging along the white suits theyd been forced to wear onstage, the musicians piled them atop one another and set the clothes afire, resulting in what Caywood recalls as an unholy muck of cow patties, dirt, and melted polyester.. According to social historian Eric Lott, "the widespread embarrassment and innuendo surrounding Elvis impersonation points more directly to the homoerotic implications built into such acts.