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In Las Vegas,
Elvis Has Never Left The Building

(This is an excerpt taken from an advertising supplement in the Los Angeles Times, as prepared by Caroline Fontein and the VEGAS.com staff. For the full article, as published in the Los Angeles Times, click HERE!)

“I don’t think they will ever do away with Elvis Impersonators.”

There are many things that symbolize Las Vegas, from neon lights to showgirls, but possibly none of them do it better than Elvis.

During his seven-year run at the International Hotel, later renamed the Las Vegas Hilton, trips to Vegas became synonymous with seeing Elvis. His legendary status as an entertainer infiltrated every inch of the city, creating a momentum that has continued to grow. Today it is almost impossible to visit Las Vegas without spotting an Elvis impersonator, running into a pair of novelty gold-rimmed glasses at a souvenir shop or hearing “Viva Las Vegas.”

Elvis impersonators have made their mark as part of Sin City’s signature offerings. They can be found anywhere from lounge acts to tribute shows and wedding chapels. “It’s not Las Vegas if we don’t see an Elvis,” said Barbara Lezon, a tourist visiting the Big Elvis Show at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall.

Pete “Big Elvis” Vallee, an Elvis impersonator at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall, does his own version of the King, conveying the warm Southern hospitality and genuine desire to make fans happy that was embraced by the real performer. Vallee, known by some as “the Godfather of Elvis impersonators,” according to his long time personal manager, Lucille Star, is a genuinely nice guy who really cares about what his audience thinks.

“Elvis was a good person and I love the music…we have a lot of similarities,” said Vallee, who has no trouble emulating Elvis’ voice or his commitment to his fans. “Elvis is all about giving…it’s easy to play when you have that same character.”

His almost entirely audience-request-driven show encompasses a repertoire of more than 900 songs, spanning six decades of music than includes everything Elvis along with popular songs from other music genres. The simple and intimate stage setting for the Big Elvis Show enables Vallee to change his songs at a moment’s notice, resulting in every show being a different and personalized experience.

Along with being concerned about his fans, Vallee is always on a quest to keep improving the show. He is currently in the process of adding a live segment to the show where he will sing accompanied by a guitar.

Vallee began his singing career in his local church choir where someone told him that he sounded just like Elvis. From there he learned to play the guitar and put together an act to compete in his school’s talent contest when he was 13. The overwhelmingly positive response that he received, along with his natural ability to sound like the King, inspired his career. Despite the potential criticism that could result from impersonating such an iconic entertainer, Vallee explained that the fans enjoy the fact that someone is keeping the music they love alive.

“The fans appreciate you keeping his memory alive,” said Vallee, which becomes especially apparent “when you see someone who’s touched by your performance.”

Vallee enjoys singing but what he loves most is his interaction with the audience and part of this personal interaction is done through the use of a chair that he performs from during the show. Instead of keeping his distance from the audience on an elevated stage, he sits an arm’s length away from audience members seated in the front.

“People really like that,” said Star, “because he becomes a part of the audience where they can really relate to him.” Some entertainers take from the audience where others are there to perform and give something back.

As far as Elvis impersonators are concerned, Vallee is convinced that they will always have a presence in Vegas. “I don’t think they will ever do away with Elvis impersonators,” said Vallee. It is more than just the impersonators and fans who are keeping Elvis alive and well in Sin City.

“People really came out of the woodwork,” said Star when referring to a recent celebration they had for the King’s birthday where they announced “A Star for Elvis” campaign for the Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

There is a huge network of people committed to keeping Elvis’ memory alive, said Star. Vegas became a home away from home for Elvis during his years of performing here and Vallee explained that part of this is because the performer had many characteristics that were very well-suited to the city’s reputation as a place for indulgence, glitz and glamour. “Elvis was into bling. Where else but Vegas?”

Where’s Elvis?

“Big Elvis Show” at Bill’s Gamblin’ Hall & Saloon; 3 - 7:15 p.m. Monday - Friday

The live segment to the show where Big Elvis will sing accompanied by a guitar, has been implemented! And it's not just one guitar, but two!

“What an awesome show Pete Vallee puts on! A trip to Las Vegas is not complete without at least one visit to a 'Big Elvis' show!” ~Jenn L. Philips,
~Big Elvis fan