ALTHOUGH Elvis Presley died more than 40 years ago, his memory lives on, among other ways, through tribute acts.
One such production, The Diverse Elvis Spectrum, is coming to Colchester Arts Centre on August 26.
The show is the brainchild of Paul Hyu, also known as “Chinese Elvis”, who has been an Elvis tribute artist since the year 2000.
Paul said: “I turned 42 in the year the Olympics were held in Beijing, 2008, I was the very age Elvis was when he died.
“To mark both occasions, I did a show at the Edinburgh Festival called The King from Beijing, and posed the question whether it was okay to continue being a tribute to Elvis after that age?
“In doing this I questioned the unspoken “rules” of being an Elvis act. What are the unarticulated but “common-sense” ideas and expectations that exist at an Elvis competition? Can they be stretched?”
Following a show at the Edinburgh Festival, Paul first did a version of The King from Beijing at Colchester Arts Centre back in November 2008.
He is now set to return to the venue alongside Jewish Elvis (Martyn Dias) and Black Elvis (Colbert Hamilton).
Paul added: “These unspoken rules existed but they were changing and could be broken as long as the music still rocked.
"Today that applies more than ever. There exists all manner of Elvis acts today and I have assembled a couple of my diverse Elvis buddies who like me are both over the age of 42 years to prove we still rock.”
Paul has been friends with both Jewish Elvis and Black Elvis for almost 20 years each.
Aside from the stage show, they have also done a few events and gigs together such as TV adverts for AOL and Red Bull.
However, the group have never sang their favourite Elvis songs at the same event.
The Diverse Elvis Spectrum, however, aims to change that, and features all three men; Chinese Elvis, Black Elvis and Jewish Elvis.
He added: “If you can’t make it to Memphis for Elvis week and love the music, I hope to see you there. Thangyuveramuch.”
Tickets for the show can be purchased by visiting colchesterartscentre.com.
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