Rumors that Elvis is alive suddenly seem possible when viewing the Elvis Tribute Spectacular.  Shawn Klush and Cody Ray Slaughter’s talent and look has won them the endorsement of Elvis Presley Enterprises, which does not dole out such honors often or easily.  They came to Westbury on August 21st, along with D.J. Fontana, the Sweet Inspirations, and the Fabulous Ambassadors. Long Island native Steve Mitchell added his ‘Elvis in the Movies’ segment, and the stage was set to rock around the clock. 

DJ Fontana

With Elvis’ original drummer (Fontana) and his backup singers on the stage, an aura of the mystery train had pulled into the station with a direct link leading to the King.  At times the show was so accurate in detail and spirit, that it made you wonder if Elvis really had entered the building.  It was certainly both fun and fulfilling to allow your imagination to follow that dream, while every stage of Elvis’ career was represented in one evening.

Cody Ray

Cody Ray Slaughter ‘made his bones’ in the Million Dollar Quartet, and he covered Elvis from his early gold lame suit days to the 1968 Comeback Special. Elvis was inspired to embark on the special when he saw an earlier TV offering aired starring his friend Tom Jones.  The evening opened with “Shake, Rattle and Roll”, and D.J. Fontana displayed the skills that earned him the nickname ‘The Tennessee Thunder‘. D.J. co-starred in the film Jailhouse Rock with Elvis, and he can still play the drums like he was ringing a bell. 

Early Elvis

The movie’s title track brought back memories both musical and cinematic.  The first set also included “Don’t Be Cruel” and “Don’t Leave Me Now”. Slaughter played the part of magician, mesmerizing the crowd back in time to the explosion that was early Elvis setting new standards and throwing the rulebook out the window of his pink Cadillac. 

DJ

DJ Fontana Talks Elvis: Last Train To Westbury

Long Island’s Steve Mitchell wore a replica red jacket that Elvis donned in the film Speedway to set the tone for the songs featured in films. Mitchell ripped into a rousing G.I. Blues, and followed with a dreamy version of Young and Beautiful (from the film King Creole). As he crooned Viva Las Vegas, Mitchell ran up among the crowd giving those in nearby seats a thrill.  Mitchell lives in the area, and joins the show whenever it pulls into town like the great rock and roll shows of the 1950’s.

Cody Ray Leather

Cody Ray returned in leathers like those Elvis wore in his Comeback Special, and the ladies seemed collectively to lose their breath for a second. A hot selection of songs from the period featured Trouble, It Hurts Me, and Rubberneckin‘. What Cody was selling, the audience was buying up in a red hot frenzy.  The Sweet Inspirations (Portia Griffin & Estelle Brown) demanded The Power of My Love’s inclusion in the set, and it may have been the standout cut of the evening due in large measure to their background vocals.  The Sweet Inspirations’ entrance brought a charisma and vibrancy that seems obtained only as a gift of birth.  They offered a solo of their namesake tune, whose only fault was found in not being followed by a second number all their own. 

Intermission ended with Shawn Klush whisking all along with him into the Vegas years, in a vintage Elvis jumpsuit.  Also Sprach Zarathustra was followed by the Elvis’ signature opener See, See Rider. Highlights of the set included Never Been To Spain (Elvis never did tour in Europe), A Little Less Conversation, and My Way. Paul Anka’s My Way was written for Elvis, but a greedy publishing fumble by Col. Tom Parker left the song in the hands of Frank Sinatra.  Shawn Klush helped remind us that Elvis stole part of it back before the final note was played in the matter.

Klush and Sweets

‘The Sweets’ joined Klush for some of the Gospel music that Elvis loved so dearly.  Just before Elvis passed, he confided to Nancy Sinatra that he felt he should have stayed in the church, and avoided secular music altogether.  The power displayed in Amazing Grace and How Great Thou Art sent shivers down the spine, and reminded all of the wonderful gift that Elvis was given for the genre. Estelle Brown recounted a bit on Elvis sometimes holding all night Gospel marathons in his hotel suite after Vegas shows. 

Portia and Estelle

If only Estelle’s memories of these jams could be played through speakers for us today, the airwaves certainly would be a respite and blessing. The evening serving was a heaping 36 songs, none of which were throwaways, as any bathroom breaks came with a heavy price.  Bridge Over Troubled Water, Suspicious Minds, and a reverent American Trilogy closed out the proceedings.  Elvis may have left the building in 1977, but his music and memories are marching on. 

Group

They do so in no greater measure than in this show, and also in the audiences that have sold out so many of them.  Look for it when the classic big rock and roll show unites multiple generations in your town as well as Walton’s Mountain. 

Words by: Bob Wilson     Photographs by: Wayne Herrschaft 

See Bob Wilson’s L4LM Interview with  the legendary D.J. Fontana here.