European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - April 23, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse Blue suede shoes Heartbreak hotel and Are you lonesome tonight As he Sang the popular Teddy Bear a fan stretched her arms up to offer the pseudo King a Small stuffed Bear. Albert accepted the tribute pulling the Scarf from around his neck and giving it to the rapturous fan. Albert appeared to have a never ending Supply of satiny scarves waiting to be Given to the fans. The night was t without its Dull moments even for the most Loyal Presley fans. A German group do band performing More modern hits barely got polite applause. The smooth sounding group was made up of a Small orchestra piano player drummer and a male and female Singer none of whom impressed the audience. Ironically the male Singer s Best song was life Coes on without me. A tribute to Elvis but for the most part the tribute succeeded in doing what it intended. Wilkinson who had toured Vietnam with Presley said that what the entertainers wanted was to give people an idea of what it was like at an Elvis show a Little of the for the fans it was obvious that some of that magic still lived even though the King is dead. Elvis Impersonator Mike Albert during his act and at left backstage before his transformation. A local television station interviews two fans dressed for a night with the King. A amps photos by Peggy Davidson is dead but his spirit lives the King s men Are beginning to show their Ages some 15 years alter the demise of their Leader. But even though time has added a touch of Gray on some Heads and a few More wrinkles around the eyes it has not doused the enthusiasm that Elvis Presley inspired in those around him. John Wilkinson a rhythm guitarist who joined the Presley show in 1969 and remained a member of the entourage until Presley s death proudly Calls himself one of Presley s friends. And he in t the Only one. Pointing around to other members of the Elvis tribute show Wilkinson says Quot these people were handpicked by Wilkinson like the others in the tribute program takes offence at stories that Elvis is still alive. Quot it s ludicrous a says Wilkinson a Trace of pain appearing in his eyes. Quot people Are making a Buck on a Man who s not around to defend himself. It s the entertainers claim they Are not among those cashing in on the King. They say they weren t being paid Large salaries for the tribute. George Klein the master of ceremonies for the Kaiserslautern show says the tribute was Quot a Chance to travel overseas like a Klein agrees with Wilkinson that it was important to protect Presley s reputation. He says that the tribute show would help Quot keep Elvis name in a Good Light. While the phenomenon of Presley s continued popularity nearly 1 5 years after his death May mystify some people Klein is not among them. Quot Elvis was the first. He was Good at what he did a Klein says. Quot Many people feel close to him because they grew up with him. People feel partly responsible for his he adds that Elvis versatility also contributed to his overwhelming popularity. Quot he was the Only Singer in America who could sing different types of music Well a he says Quot gospel e country the a Peggy Davidson april 23, 1992 stripes Magazine
