ELVIS

I'm told the BBC are developing a show around the best Elvis impersonators, been there done that. At Granada we did an Elvis special Stars in Their Eyes. It was fantastic, great fun, very camp but also holds very sad memories. Dear Lesley Crowther should have presented the show but sadly had a near fatal car crash that ended his career. I loved Lesley and worked with him often in my early career. We did The Price is Right, during an electricians dispute we had to cancel the show but the audinece were arriving. Lesley said find me a Piano, which we did he did an off the cuff 90 minute show. It was fantastic he was a true pro.

Russ Abbot actually presented the Elvis Special. I also had one of the most awkward jobs of my career, to persuade Russ to do the show whith out his syrup (wig)..he did.
It was a great show.

I would also like to sate my claim that I invented the Plural for Elvises namely the Elvi, which sounds like an alien race from star trek. Believe me in the world of Elvis impersonators a description that is not far off the mark!

Oh and I'd like to further state that the 1969 Elvis come back special is, apart from the kung fu segment, the most important LE show ever made.



For those of you are interested here is the version you may have seen on American Idol Gives Back. Its all smoke and mirrors!!



And this is one of my favourite clips from the 69 Come back.