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

From time to time, my work on the road puts me in the presence of  legends from the entertainment world. One such occasion involved comedian George Burns, the wry, cigar-smoking, ex vaudvilian who played straight man to his wife Gracie Allen for thirty five years. In later life George had new found fame through a series of movie roles which began with the film “Oh God” in which he co-starred with singer John Denver.

I was working in Vegas, the first time I was introduced to George Burns. That night he performed his show with his signature cigar in hand,  but never lit up. Even after the show, as we sat relaxing and talking, he simply placed it in his vest pocket. I

Comedian George Burns with his familiar cigar prop.

A cartoon sketch from George Burns.

Shortly before his passing, at 100 years old, George signed a small quantity of these photos, as a favor to a friend. I'm fortunate enough to own one.

questioned why he hadn’t smoked it and he told me he was under orders from his doctor not to smoke.  A few months passed and I ran into him again…This time he performed with a lit cigar! After the show, as he sat puffing away with a satisfied look on his face, I reminded him of our earlier conversation and his doctor’s orders NOT TO SMOKE; to which he replied, in that familiar graveled voice delivery, ….THAT’S RIGHT…,BUT MY DOCTOR DIED!!

I’ll finish with two favorite cigar related George Burns quotes…the first; “I’m at the age now where just putting the cigar in it’s holder is a thrill.” And my favorite; “Happiness is a good cigar and a good meal…or, a good cigar and a good woman; it all depends on how much happiness you can handle.”

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!