European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                By Peggy Davidson Kaiserslautern Bureau the King May be dead but his legend is not. On a recent saturday night in Barbarossa Hall in Kaiserslautern Germany it was Tough to believe that Elvis Presley was t just outside the door. Around 2,000 Elvis fans decked out in Black jackets slicked Back hair sideburns and even a pair of Blue suede shoes were in the mood to be entertained by the King s faithful court a vocalists and musicians who had performed with him and had been United for a special tribute. On either Side of the stage vendors were Selling to shirts mugs records compact discs posters buttons pictures and books. The items weren t cheap. Fans gripping photographs mobbed the entertainers who knew Elvis begging for autographs. A Pale Blue and White Caddy occupied one Corner of the auditorium its trunk filled with men s toiletries cutely named Quot for All the King s  the feeling of being caught in a time Warp was Strong for those not immersed in the Elvis cult. The fans had plainly come to get As close to the King As they could nearly 15 years after his death. They came from As far away As Belgium Denmark and Switzerland. Only a few a Cadillac its trunk loaded with Elvis Memorabilia and products attracts the curious. At right the Jordan Aires Elvis Presley s backup group performs. Three current members Sang with Presley. In the audience were americans. The performance called the Elvis tribute show had been organized by a German promoter. Some of the entertainers were performing in Europe but others came expressly for this show. It was the Only performance in Europe by the entire lineup which will put on a similar show in the United states this summer. The show started with . Sumner and the Stamps former members of Presley s touring company performing several of Presley s hits. They Sang love me tender As if expecting Elvis to pick up the Lead the missing voice was noticeable. But later Sumner whose voice is documented As the lowest Bass voice in the world did full Justice to i believe. Sumner s gospel singing group joined Presley in 1971 and he served As a backup vocalist on Presley s albums and Tours for the next six years. Sumner was a Friend of Presley s Back when the King was Only 16, and says he used to let the Young Elvis in the Back door so he could attend the group s concerts in Memphis tenn., even though he could t pay for a ticket. They were followed on stage by Kathy Westmoreland and Shaun Nielsen two other names from Presley s past who performed non Presley numbers along with songs that Elvis  Westmoreland known to Elvis fans As his Quot High voice Singer Quot with classical training joined his show in 1970 and performed with him until his death in August 1977. She Sang at Presley s funeral published a Book about their Days together and recalls him with great admiration saying his ability to sing so Many types of music inspired her to do the same. Nielsen who recorded duets with Elvis on Spanish eyes and walk with me toured with the show for five years As both an opening act and backup Singer. Presley is supposed to have greeted Nielsen when they first met in a Nashville tenn., recording studio with Quot hello i m Elvis Presley. You Are my favorite Singer and i have every one of your  John Wilkinson who joined Elvis band As a rhythm guitarist in 1969, also made an on stage appearance despite the fact that a near fatal stroke in 1989 has left him unable to play. The audience went wild. Finally vhf hours into the program the act that the Rabid Elvis fans had been waiting for appeared. Mike Albert whose publicity Bills him As the no. 1 Elvis Impersonator in the world entered the Hall in True Elvis style. Clad in White shirt and pants liberally embroidered with sparkling sequined designs Albert climbed onto the stage while waving to his adoring audience. Albert who s been impersonating Elvis for four years has the slightly sneering lip perfected. The hip grinding moves of the Rea Elvis Are still the property of the original though Albert did his Best. Backed up by the four Man Jordan Aires three of whom were members of Presley s backup group Albert went Pic re in i str iroc Tow in i Fri calf a has ruffling 12 stripes Magazine april 23, 1992