Welcome to My World…My Elvis World
Written by Mark Erwin
Before I continue, don’t you find it simply amazing that almost every day or night (if you watch enough TV) that you will find a movie, TV show, or even a commercial featuring a well-known Elvis tune sung either by the man himself or an ETA or pretty good “voice actor/artist? I haven’t counted; but, how many movies do you imagine there are out there with either Elvis singing or someone sounding much like him? There’s an answer; but I don’t think anyone would know ;)
The black an white photo (L) shows actor Kurt Russell in the 1979 made-for-television movie, “Elvis”. Kurt began his film career in an uncredited part as in Elvis Presley's movie “It Happened At The World's Fair” (R). A favourite scene in the movie is when a ten year old Kurt Russell is paid by Elvis's character to kick him in the shins.
So, here we go…As I mentioned, growing up in the 60s and 70s, Elvis’s music was quite prevalent in our home. I wasn’t HOOKED on it in my social circles. I guess I hadn’t come out of my “Presley Closet” yet! Disco and Funk were huge in the mid to late 70s. My 8 track and cassette collection consisted of some AC/DC, ZZ TOP, Boston, STYX, Foreigner, Bad Company, and yes, I even had some Freddie Fender in there along with some Charlie Rich. My romantic ‘go to music’ was either Englebert or Tom Jones…lol! Can you say, “Eclectic?” Today you will find my Drifters CD just above the Elvis CDs for alphabetical order purposes. I’m all over the map…BUT fascinated by this “Music GOD” named Elvis Presley.
I have NEVER been a big fan of a local Elvis singing some Karaoke tunes at the legion or the local Community Centre. In fact, I stay away. I guess you could say I was, and still am, too much of a purist! I did, however, back in the day, pay a visit to Legends in Concert in Las Vegas, Puerto Rico, and a version of the sort in Toronto. And I guess for the small amount of money I paid, it was a night out. I haven’t however, ever gone again. I never uttered the word WOW, until finally I was immersed in a WOW moment.
In 2004, I was alone in my office buried deep into my work when one of my employees dropped a flyer/pamphlet on my desk and said, “Hey, your buddy is playing in town”. Eventually, I looked up and on my desk I saw a picture of Elvis Presley! No irony here, but, Elvis was playing through my computer. I decided to grab the pamphlet. A closer look proved my first instinct to be wrong. It wasn’t Elvis, because it said the name Stephen Kabakos underneath the picture; but until I saw his name, I would have sworn the picture was of Elvis. The name of the show was Wonderful World of Christmas, and it was coming up quite soon to the Centre in the Square in Kitchener. Without asking for the “proverbial permission” from my lovely wife, I picked up the phone and ordered a pair of tickets and told her when I got home that we were going to see an Elvis show :)
It’s Showtime!
We take our seat and just hope we are in for a treat. Our expectations aren’t high because we have never really been impressed prior; so, we were hoping this “look- a- like” could “sound- a- like” Lol! The music started, and as always, I am holding my wife’s hand. Entering stage left was this handsome young man who absolutely was a ringer for the King. “It’s Christmas Time Pretty Baby” was the opening number and I was floored—there was no way anyone could look and sound this much like Elvis—truly spine tingling and I was blown away. I believe I found my WOW! With the song completed, without hesitation he soars right into the next and the next and eventually to “I’ll be home for Christmas”. My emotions got the better of me with that particular song because on Christmas Day 1977, I lost my Grandfather and the song playing in the vehicle that took members of my family home from the hospital was that very tune. Flooded with emotions, I turned to my wife to see her crying as well. I’m like, “What the heck is going on?” We held hands tightly and waited for intermission to truly discover why we were both so emotional! The connection was the music. The music took you to places, times and people, and many of those people were no longer around. The tears were a mixed bag of sadness and joy, but certainly an awful lot of fondness; and for one night, our loved ones seemed to be with us again. I lost my mother to cancer in July of 2004 at the age of 59, and with every fiber in my body I wished she could have seen this young man perform. His tribute to Elvis was nothing short of spectacular. He channelled Elvis and it was just surreal. He was simply incredible and didn’t miss a beat. What I wasn’t aware of however, was that Steve earlier that day had just experienced one of the most traumatic days in his life. I learned of this fact several years ago and as each day passes our commonalities seem to expand, our bond unbreakable. Thinking back on that performance, how on earth did he do it? That response I will hold in my heart, as it is personal and touching; but I assure you one thing, Stephen Michael Kabakos has an incredible bond and connection with his fans, and his homage to Elvis Presley is in the purest form. What you see is what you get: humble, kind, generous and unbelievably genuine! Wow! Wasn’t Elvis the same way?
As Elvis evolved in his career, so too, did Stephen Michael Kabakos; or should I say, “Steve Michaels?” I’ll delve into that in my next installment.
(To Be Continued)
Edits for “Confessions from My Desk: Part Deux” by Carolyn MacArthur
Photos: Credited to Steve Michaels, Mark Erwin, and Elaine Wren, unless otherwise indicated.