Comment | Read Comments (1)

DRESSED TO IMPRESS: Billy J McGregor as Elvis

AUDIENCES who saw this outstanding show at the Pier Theatre last year will be delighted by its return visit - but The Elvis Collection is in town for one night only this Saturday.

One of the best tribute shows to the music and life of Elvis Presley, it features the vocal talents and charismatic personality of Billy J McGregor and a phenomenal 11-piece band.

Billy, who has toured with the show for nearly six years, told me he believes the show is so successful because it is a celebration - rather than simply an imitation of the legendary performer and his music.

And because he's a Geordie, don't expect a bogus American accent either!

"I don't try to speak American as that's just too cheesy.

"I'm there to pay tribute to the music. I tell people I'm from Newcastle - although they often think I'm from Wales!"

Last week Billy was amused when two elderly ladies on the front row got up to leave, complaining: "That's not the real Elvis - that's not him!"

Thirty one years may have elapsed since Elvis "left the building" but it seems no one had bothered to tell them. Billy persuaded them to stay and they had a ball.

A life-long Elvis fan, Billy actually spent most of his early career performing in bands covering hits from Wet, Wet, Wet to Lionel Richie around the clubs in North East England.

He had been singing with his current business partner Alan Wearmouth from the age of 11 and played in a band with him until he was 18, when they went their separate ways.

"Then, seven or eight years ago, he got in touch and asked if I'd like to do an Elvis show.

"I said that I'd do it - but only if we could use a large band and play in theatres."

The show has gone down so well that in seven years every single venue they have played has invited them back.

"Why is Elvis still such a huge draw? Well, I guess he's been a part of all our upbringing.

"If you ask people if they like Elvis, not everyone will say yes but everyone likes an Elvis song. Even my three daughters, who are 20, 17 and 11, are big fans.

Today, Billy's shows spans the entire 23 years of Elvis' recording career. The emphasis is on the '70s but with the added vocal talents of Alan Wearmouth, the early Sun sessions are authentically recreated too.

"Our audiences are full of people aged from five to 95 and yet we can have every single one up on their feet. It's very thrilling and pleasing to know they are spending their hard-earned cash and we have delivered."

Celebrity friends ranging from Petula Clark and The Tremeloes to members of Elvis' original band have been to see the show and enthused about it.

Billy says: "It's very hard to keep it fresh because you can never really change it - everyone expects to hear songs like Jailhouse Rock, American Trilogy, Suspicious Minds, Devil in Disguise, Hound Dog and so on.

"But it is the reaction of the audience that keeps it fresh so I tell them they are quite welcome to dance, sing and shout out requests and just a have a good time!"

11:42am Thursday 7th August 2008

Print

Email this

Comment