Presley still holds records for the most top 40 hits (107), the most top 10 hits (38), the most consecutive No. 1 hits (10) and the most weeks at No. 1 (80), according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum Web site at www.rockhall.com. He also starred in movies, recorded soundtracks and performed live and for television. He captivated listeners with his revolutionary musical style, and he drove audiences wild - and censors crazy - with his unprecedented hip-grinding moves.
Presley died of a heart attack at his Graceland mansion in Memphis, Tenn., in 1977 - but his legend lives on.
"His draw is apparently still tremendous," Frantz says.
The Elvis tribute artists will perform a variety of Presley's tunes without duplicating song lists, Frantz says. The show is expected to run more than six hours and culminate in a finale with all five tribute artists performing together on the stage. The performers will showcase various periods of the Elvis era.
Crowd-pleasers Kelly and MacDonald will return to the Hub City following their popular performances at last year's Elvis tribute show, Frantz says.
Kelly has been performing Presley songs since age 3, following in the footsteps of his father. A resident of Boone, Iowa, he holds the world record for singing all 750 Elvis songs from memory at Graceland in 1999. MacDonald has been invited numerous times to perform at the Graceland Festival since launching his Elvis act about 10 years ago.
"I got into the music from watching the Elvis movies with my mom as a child on TV. He was cool, and of course, there were always girls in bikinis in every movie," says MacDonald of Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "I really have a great time paying tribute to one of the greatest entertainers of all time. I am a true Elvis fan."
He gets the most requests for such great Presley ballads as "Love Me Tender," "Can't Help Falling" and "It's Now or Never" and such rockers as "Burning Love" and "All Shook Up," he says. Decked out in black leather for his upcoming Hagerstown performance, MacDonald will perform a mix of Presley's 1968 comeback songs and some earlier tunes.
"That black leather gets hot, and I'll do my best to keep the show that way, too," he says.
Lee - who was named the Canadian Grand Champion for Elvis Fest 2001 - has been performing Presley tunes since 1995. The job enables him to spend time with his family while "keeping the memory of Elvis alive," he says. Lee became fascinated with the entertainer after getting hooked on Presley's music while listening to it with his Elvis-buff best friend.
"The more I listened to the music of Elvis, the more I wanted to know about him," says Lee, 30, of Birmingham, Ala. "I also became very fascinated with his stage and movie attire. The authenticity side is very important to me. I currently have 23 different jumpsuits and movie outfits."
Lee's Presley song list includes about 300 tunes - but the tribute singer gets more requests for "American Trilogy," "Suspicious Minds," "Can't Help Falling In Love," "Hurt" and "Tomorrow Never Comes" than any other songs, he says.
King, of Mercersburg, Pa., credits the birth of his musical career to a singing contest at James Buchanan Middle School. At age 15, he got a standing ovation after his rendition of Presley's "In the Ghetto." Flagg, of Argos, Ind., is known for wowing audiences throughout the Midwest with his hip-shaking, high-energy performances.
Elvis fans will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with Presley's tribute singers from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at Elks Lodge No. 378 in Hagers-town. Tickets for the Special Elvis Party cost $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Presley memorabilia, event souvenirs, food and drinks will be sold on Saturday.
For more information, visit the Elvis Lives in Hagerstown Web site at www.elvislivesinhagerstown.com, or call the Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce at 301-739-2015.
Elvis Lives in Hagerstown
Friday, Sept. 5
Meet and mingle with Elvis tribute performers at the Special Elvis Party
6 to 10 p.m.
Elks Lodge No. 378, 11063 Robinwood Dr., Hagers-town
Tickets $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
Saturday, Sept. 6
Elvis Tribute performances featuring Jamie Aaron Kelly, Chris MacDonald, Quentin Flagg, David Lee and David King
South Potomac Street in front of The Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Gates open at noon. Show starts at 1 p.m.
Rain or shine. No refunds. No umbrellas or outside food or drink.
Advance ticket sales only. All seats reserved. Cost is $25 for Saturday's show or $35 for Friday and Saturday events.
Tickets can be purchased at www.elvislivesinhagerstown.com on the Web or by calling 301-739-2015, ext. 100.
