Elvis Tribute Artist Eddie O'Rourke presents A Tribute to The King

My career as an Elvis Tribute Artist has taken me to a multitude of venues and locations. Not just my home state of New Jersey, but places such as New York City, Philadelphia, Pa, North and South Carolina, Nashville and Memphis Tennessee, Naples Florida, through “The Heartland” and West Coast as well. The wonderful folks I’ve met along the way have become fans and good friends over the years. Through it all, I’m always reminded that at least some of the attention I receive is borrowed glory. Although it’s their love for Elvis that brings them to me in the beginning, I like to think that it’s my sincere tribute to The King of Rock that keeps them returning. And so, with a little hand-salute to Elvis for making it possible I offer these photos of some of those very special people.

A hardcover book dedicated to the guys who work hard at keeping The King’s memory alive. Photos of one hundred and fifty prominant Elvis Tribute Artists from around the world. Joseph Clough, himself a former Tribute Artist, honors the men who would be king with page after page of performers in all their jump-suited glory. In his introduction he writes; “Everyone knows there will never be another Elvis Presley, but the ETA’s (Elvis Tribute Artists) try their best to come close. I am proud of every one of them in this book. They are a talented group of artists permanently time-stamped into the coffee table book pages of Elvis history.” Elvis’ step-brother, Billy Stanley wrote in one of the book’s forwards; “The Tribute Artists the authors have compiled are the best in the world, and the Elvis fans need to know who they are.”

Also featured in the book are beautiful, original paintings of Elvis by the talented UK artist Teresa Winston. A follow-up book is already in the works. It will cover fifty of the next generation of ETA’s who concentrate on the gold lame’ and black leather periods of Elvis’ career. ALL THE KINGS MEN can be purchased online at: coffeetablepress.com for $29.95

I’m pleased to have been included in this book and recognized for my work as an Elvis Tribute Artist- EDDIE O’ROURKE

Long before my career as an Elvis Tribute Artist,  I toured the United States and beyond as guitarist for a few well known celebrities. The work afforded me the opportunity to be in the company of some of the greatest names in the entertainment community. One of these encounters put me in a gathering which included the renowned comic Milton Berle. Milton had his early success in burlesque and then motion pictures. But, his lasting notoriety came as one of the early pioneers of television. In the late forties, Berle signed an unprecedented thirty year contract with NBC and ruled the TV airwaves as “Mr. Television.” Elvis fans will recognize the name as one of several personalities who gave The King early national exposure. Milton delighted in surrounding himself with young performers and recounting tales from his early career. The following is one of those stories as Berle told it.

Milton Berle with Elvis in 1956

In the early days of  live TV, long before video tape  and the luxury of editing  programs, they employed “back-timers.” A back-timer calculated the length of all the intricate parts for a show, including commercials, and guaranteed that…from start to finish the program would be exactly the right time duration. One  evening a gal new to the job was in charge of timing .  Milton thanked the audience and was saying good night as a stage-hand held up a card which read “FIVE MINUTES!” The girl had goofed and Berle was left with a surplus five minutes to ad-lib. Five minutes in live television can feel like an eternity. Milton pulled out some additional chatter, looked at the stage-hand who then held up THREE FINGERS! Berle ‘s mind was racing for something to fill the remaining time when he suddenly remembered a recent letter from a fan. He continued; I’d like to say a few words to the kids who are viewing the show. I’m happy that you like watching, but your parents are upset ’cause you’re up late and it’s hard to wake you  for school in the morning. Still reaching in the recesses of his mind…Berle issued the line…so I want you to listen to your “UNCLE MILTIE” and go to bed when your mom and dad tell you to. He had finally brought the show to a close. Next day on the streets of Manhattan Milton sat, stopped at a red light, in the back of his limo. A cab pulled alongside and the driver, noticing the comic, yelled out “HEY, UNCLE MILTIE!” Berle instantly recognized that something special had taken place the night before. And, the rest is TV history folks!

On August 29th my performance at The Pointe was in honor of the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth. His name is recognized worldwide and legions of fans are still drawn to his music 33 years after his passing.  As an Elvis Tribute Artist it is my good fortune to be permitted to bring his music and style of performing to many of those fans young and old. This night was no exception as members of the audience sang along with many of the familiar tunes. After the concert I made my way around the room and chatted and posed for photos with many of the guests. I’m always touched that folks make so much of my post performance attention. The King always went the extra distance for the fans and, as a representative of the  Elvis-style, I’m more than happy to continue the tradition.