Elvis: Alive and well in Europe (VIDEO en français et en anglais)

Elvis Presley, the undefeated King of Rock n Roll, gyrated across many venues in his career, but none in Europe.  That is not to say he had not been in Europe.  Everyone knows he was drafted/ joined the US Army in March of 1958 and was posted to Germany. In fact a monument was erected in Bad Nauheim, Germany commemorating just those two years.

 “He lived in an off-base residence with his father, grandfather and some friends from Memphis.”   Tommy Steele, a friend of The King’s claimed in an interview to the Daily Mail that when he was discharged from the military in 1960, he met him at Prestwick Airport in Scotland.  All he would report is that "What actually happened many years ago is something secret and memorable. “ What is not at all secret is his well-documented trip to Paris France in 1959, where he stayed at the Prince de Galles Hotel. In his formal army attire, he publically conquered the lips and more of the Moulin Rouge showgirls and anonymous others.

The book entitled ELVIS À PARIS, full of glossy black and white photographs sold out. It was written by the Parisian fan club president Jean-Marie Pouzenc who owns “Elvis is My Happiness, La Boutique” in Paris which is hosting a birthday celebration today, January 8, 2011.  9 Rue Notre Dame des Victoires75002 Paris. Get Directions 01 49 27 08 43.The Prince de Galles hotel asked that it be reissued for the 30th anniversary of his death in 2007, et Monsieur Pouzenc obliged.

There is no question that Elvis still enjoys superstar status in Europe, some speculate by reason of the fact that he never performed anywhere there.  According to an article in The New York Times, in 2007, the icon and his music have built “fan clubs of 4,500 members in France and 1,600 in Germany and memberships is almost 3000 for the Netherlands group. There is enough passion in the Netherlands that Elvis's record company, Sony BMG,” which in 2007 released a CD titled "The Dutch Collection," with a selection chosen by fans, who voted from a list of 150 songs.” A reissue of Elvis's "Hunk O Hunk O’ Burning 'Love" hit No. 12 on the BBC's Top 40 singles chart in England...”

There may very well be more Elvis impersonators in Europe than in Las Vegas. The debate over which period of Elvis’ career rages on in Europe just as it does in the United States: '50s, '60s or comeback Elvis of the Vegas days.  A couple of years ago, Peter Verbruggen, president of the Elvis Matters fan clubin the Netherlands theorized to the Herald Tribune that “The Americans prefer music from the Elvis of the '50s whereas the European fans, especially in Germany, prefer the concert Elvis of the '70s."  An absence of scientific data to support this claim cast a bit of doubt on the statement.  However if later Elvis is preferred it may be because his sunglasses and white jump suit make imitating Vegas Elvis much easier.  Just  two days ago, there was a huge Elvis impersonators faceoff, the “European Elvis Championships” which begins in Birmingham, England then travels to Amsterdam and Munich.  The top European Elvis will then secure a place at the International Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Memphis.
Today on what would have been Elvis’ 76^thbirthday, it is clear that even though his body has left the building, his sweet-devilishspirit still beats strongly within the hearts of his fans.<BR>