Elvis fever shakes Aussie town

2009-01-11 14:34

Sydney - The quiet Australian town of Parkes was awash with Brylcreem, gabardine and gospel on Sunday, as a record number of Elvis faithful met there to pay homage to The King, organisers said.

Cooked up one summer's night at the local "Gracelands" restaurant, the Elvis Festival has exploded from a one-night event in 1993 to an annual five-day phenomenon attracting thousands of fans and curious tourists.

Festival organiser Ellie Ruffoni said this year's crowd, many of whom dress as their musical hero for the event, was the biggest ever.

"We had 8 000 in 2008 and we know that we've got more than that this year," Ruffoni told AFP, estimating that about 9 000 to 10 000 people had made the journey to western New South Wales state for the event which coincides with Elvis's January 8 birthday.

Take the Elvis Express

"The word has spread a lot more. And I think people realise that you don't have to be die-hard Elvis fans to enjoy it."

All the better if you are, though, to soak up the Presley-themed gospel services, the street parade, the "big hair" competition and possibly renew your wedding vows at a "Back to the Altar with Elvis" service.

For the truly devoted there's even an "Elvis Express" train from Sydney, featuring five hours of aisleway serenades and prizes for the best dressed of the 400 passengers.

In Parkes, every venue has an impersonator, manifesting their own particular brand of Elvis and crooning their favourite tunes.

"I think there are some people who head out there just to see the spectacle of the festival and celebrate life," committed Elvis fan Greg Page told AFP.

"I think it captures a lot of people's imaginations - why people would run around in 40 degree heat in jumpsuits? I think there's a fascination with the festival itself."

Lots of memorabilia

Page, a founding member of children's act The Wiggles, developed an acute case of Elvisitis when he visited Presley's Gracelands home on a break from touring in Memphis 10 years ago.

Touched by the "human side" of Presley, Page began collecting Elvis memorabilia; personal and stage clothing, jewellery and costumes from his movie roles.

His collection is now believed to be the world's largest outside the US, boasting The King's last Cadillac, his marriage certificate to Priscilla and the first contract he signed with manager Colonel Tom Parker.

"There's only two copies of that in the world, and the other's at Gracelands," said Page.

The entertainer this week put his collection on show in Parkes in an exhibition it is hoped will be a permanent fixture in the town.

The silver-and-burgundy Cadillac's not there yet but fans can get a taste of Presley, who Page credits as the father of glitz.

"All the rap stars today are wearing all that bling," joked Page. "Elvis was ahead of his time."

Among his favourite pieces on show is a golden lion's head necklace, with 24 diamonds, two emeralds for eyes and a ruby tongue. Presley bought it in 1971, and wore it to a meeting with US President Richard Nixon.

There's also a gold lame suit, designed for Elvis by celebrity tailor Nudie Cohn and given by the artist to singer Elton John.

- AFP