Elvis has not left the building — he will appear at the
WOW Hall on Saturday night equipped with a variety of looks and personalities. Eugene’s 16th annual “Night of the Living Elvis” will attract Elvis fans of all ages for an evening of
professional impersonations, music and an amateur Elvis impersonation contest.
Since the Elvis tribute show debuted at Max’s Tavern in 1990, it has found success in Portland, Seattle, Salem and Bellingham, Wash., in addition to local productions. This will be the first year the Eugene show will take place outside bars so the under-21 crowd can attend. It’s also the first time Eugene will host an amateur Elvis contest.
“It’s an opportunity for younger Elvis fans to come out,” WOW Hall
Publicist Bob Fennessey said.
Appearing at “Night of the Living Elvis” will be a specially created group of musicians who will accompany impersonators and contestants: guitarist John Barley, formerly of the Screamin’ Jay Hawkins Band; drummer Dave Fitzgerald, formerly of the Malchiks; tenor sax player Sean Flannery; and keyboardist Dustin Lanker, bassist Dan Schmid and trombone player Bryce Peltier, all of the Cherry Poppin’ Daddies. Standing in for Elvis himself will be three impersonators: Pete Christie of Eugene, Fitzgerald and Mike Dippery, both of Seattle.
Contest participants, who signed up to appear in advance, will compete for a $100 cash prize. Barley, who has organized the show since the beginning, said he gets a wide range of performers, including women and children. A past winner, “Transelvestite,” stretched the limits of Elvis portrayals by performing in drag.
Barley said the show’s aura is partially serious and partially silly — expect for a mix of hard-core Elvis freaks and goofballs who like to poke fun at the King.
“It’s kind of the joke. Some people come and hand out peanut butter and banana sandwiches,” Barley said. “We’ve had people come as Elvis the Clown and Leprechaun Elvis. But some people are really serious about impersonating.”
He added that “Night of the Living Elvis” doesn’t reflect a typical Las Vegas-style impersonation lineup.
“It’s not a total Las Vegas impersonator show with the white jumpsuits,” he said. “It’s definitely respectful
toward Elvis, but there are a lot of different takes on him, and many are funny and oddball.”
Christie, an impersonator at “Night of the Living Elvis” since its first show, said he enjoys bringing Elvis to life onstage. He used to don a traditional white jumpsuit, but now he wears a black one.
“I’m reminiscent of his style and voice,” Christie said. “He has one of the most recognizable voices in the world. I re-create some of the dance moves and try to put a little pizzazz into it.”
Although Christie often slips into the role of Elvis, he admits he has not been a lifelong fan.
“I wasn’t really into Elvis until I got into this,” he said. “Then I started reading about him and listening to clips, and I realized he was really a terrific singer, besides being an icon. I became a fan later on.”
WOW Hall is at 291 W. 8th Ave. Doors open for “Night of the Living Elvis” at 9 p.m., and the show begins at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost $7 at the door.

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