The ultimate tribute to the King of Rock n Roll makes its way to the Phillips Center

Published: June 19 2008

Category:Announcements, Happenings

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It takes two talented performers to fill the “Blue Suede Shoes” of “The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Mike Albert and Scot Bruce, together with the Big E Band, re-create the hits that made Elvis Presley one of the 20th Century’s most enduring and beloved icons in “Blue Suede Shoes (The Ultimate Tribute),” 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 5 at the Phillips Center.

What began as a “whim” in the 1990s has grown into a full-fledged production that recreates the magic embodied by Elvis, and it also pays tribute to some of the best-known music of Presley’s career. Albert, as the more mature Elvis, and Bruce, as the young Elvis toured across the United States astounding audiences with both their uncanny likenesses to the late performer as well as their vocal abilities. Their show is known for its spot-on interpretations, as well as the respectful portrayals of “The King” by Albert and Bruce.

Albert has performed his solo Elvis show across the U.S. as well as in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. After winning a number of Elvis Presley contests around the world, Albert put together an act with the Big E Band that emulated the sound Presley had on tour and in the famous Las Vegas shows. The Jordanaires and J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet – the actual vocal groups that backed Elvis Presley – have toured with Albert’s solo tribute show. He has been featured as “The King” on the television shows “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and “A Current Affair.”

Bruce has entertained all over the U.S. and abroad with his own solo show that pays homage to the 1950s Elvis Presley era. He appeared in music videos with Faith Hill and Sheryl Crow, and has had recurring roles on “Days of Our Lives” and “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Bruce also appeared in the California Lottery’s “Elvis Presley” ad campaign and was featured in E! Network’s “True Hollywood Story: Elvis in Hollywood” as the young King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. In addition, Bruce performs regularly at Disneyland.

Elvis Presley’s career spanned three decades. His multitude of hits, acting career and legions of fans all over the world earned him an iconic status achieved by few performers. Even more than 30 years after his death, his music and persona live on in movies and television.Presley was one of only three artists to make both VH1’s 100 Greatest Artists in Rock and Roll and CMT’s list of 40 Greatest Men in Country Music. He was ranked eighth on Discovery Channel’s Greatest American list, 66th on The Atlantic Monthly’s 100 Most Influential Figures in American History and third on Rolling Stone’s “The Immortals: The Fifty Greatest Artist of All Time.”

Ticket prices range from $15 to $30. To purchase tickets, call the Phillips Center Box Office at 352-392-ARTS or 800-905-ARTS, toll-free within Florida, or call Ticketmaster at 800-277-1700. Tickets may also be purchased in person at the Phillips Center Box Office Hours, the University Box Office at the University of Florida Reitz Union, from any Ticketmaster outlet or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Cash checks, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Credits

Contact

Amy Douglas, adouglas@performingarts.ufl.edu, 352-392-1900, ext. 324

Category:Announcements, Happenings