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Dipti Nair
Doha
Elvis Presley is the king of Rock n Roll and even after 40 years of his death, he is still Pop royalty and his legacy lives on. The same Elvis legacy was brought to the Shangri-La recently, by the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club Qatar where Bill Cherry performed classic Elvis numbers in typically Elvis style, in a show titled Burnin' Love.
The show was a great success with Elvis fans trooping into hotel's ballroom in great numbers, who came dressed to the event in their Elvis best. The night resonated with the best of Presley's numbers, recreated by Cherry in his classic style.
Born into a family where music was the mainstay, Cherry's father was a big influence on his music upbringing.
"I grew up in a small coal-mining town called Collinsville, Illinois, 15 miles east of St Louis. My father was a Pentecostal preacher who played the guitar and he shared his love of music with my siblings and me. That passion included Country, Gospel and some good old-fashioned Rock n Roll. I was raised on Southern Gospel music, just like Elvis, and I've been an Elvis fan my whole life. As a child, I would listen to his records and sing along, my whole family did, but I never dreamed that ultimately I would be doing something like this. I never thought that all that singing was training me for a job I never even thought about," said Cherry, in an exclusive interview with Qatar Tribune.
Like most women of her generation, Cherry's mother was an Elvis fan and the whole family would watch Elvis's movies whenever they were on TV.
"I remember as a child, going into my bedroom after watching Elvis on television and playing an Elvis record, shaking around trying to sing with him. I simply loved his style and his music. At the time, I never knew or heard of an impersonator or tribute artist or what that even meant. It was just something that I did in the privacy of my own bedroom."
It was in 1978 that Cherry's parents took him to see his first Elvis Tribute Show. As he watched the artist on stage, one of the first thoughts that crossed his mind was that this was what he used to do at home, not knowing that there was an audience for that.
"It wasn't until much later that I felt comfortable enough to perform in front of an audience. Up until that time I would do small performances in my living room for my family."
Cherry began his professional ETA career in 1986, eager to honour the memory and music of his idol. He specialises in the 'concert years of Elvis' and takes great pride in each performance. But what is it about Elvis that enthralls him so much?
"His looks, his music, race cars, speedboats, his tough guy image, his ability to be sensitive and to have a heart, and the fact that he was a rebel. All this made him irresistible," asserts Cherry.
But Cherry does not just sing Elvis's songs; on stage, he completely transforms himself into the King of Rock and Roll. With precise vocals, movements, and an uncanny physical resemblance, Cherry takes on the Elvis persona making his impersonation instantly recognisable. From the most tender love ballads, to the hard-rocking show-stoppers, Cherry delivers each song with impeccable energy, spirit and heart, like his idol. But for Cherry, one of the best Elvis tribute artists in the business, it's not enough to sing, act and dance like the King, he even drives the same car as him ” a Stutz Blackhawk, which can be seen at Graceland Mansion, Elvis's home which is currently a museum.
"I always felt a closeness to Elvis...as far as preparing to be on stage, it comes naturally to me. I simply put on the jumpsuit, instantly become Elvis and perform naturally as best as I can. My journey began in 1986 and after many contests, performances, and many years of experience, I was ultimately recognised by Elvis Presley Enterprises Graceland. In 2009, I was crowned 'World Elvis Champion' by them, a great honour."
Cherry has received many awards and accolades for his Elvis renditions. Along with winning the first place at the 2009 World Elvis Tribune championship in Memphis, he also won the same award in Mississippi, being the first Elvis Tribute Artist to bag the ultimate title at both the birthplace and the hometown of Elvis Presley in the same year.
Cherry performed with the EAS Band for the Qatar show. The EAS Band has been the official band of Elvis Presley Enterprises from 2006.
Speaking about his collaboration with the band, Cherry said,"The EAS Band is the band that I have found to be musically closest to the TCB Band, which was Elvis's band from the '70s. They are also the official band of the Elvis Presley Enterprises. They are respected throughout the industry as the number one touring tribute band in the US. Not to mention they are close friends of mine and also live in Illinois. I love to work with them every chance I get."
While Cherry has travelled the world with his 'Elvis performances', this was the first time that he was visiting and performing in the Middle East.
"I was very excited and was really looking forward to seeing the beauty of Qatar, its dunes and waters, its culture, history and people. But most of all, I am glad to witness first-hand Arabian hospitality that everyone has told me about. My show here has been arranged by the Official Elvis Presley Fan Club. The president of the club, Lisa Bseiso, as well as everyone from the 'Elvis world' here in Qatar, has told me a lot about this fantastic country and I'm really looking forward to exploring the country and meeting all the Elvis fans here."
