ELVIS TO THE MAX Starring Max Pellicano in "The Orchestral Sessions"

Profile

He was one of the most important figures of the 20th century pop culture. A cultural icon, widely known by the single name Elvis, who is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "The King". Now the memory and legend lives on in a very special concert event entitled "The Orchestral Sessions" featuring a 18-piece Orchestra starring one of the world's first and most-successful Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano, whose uncanny resemblance and equally chilling performance has mesmerised Australians over the last two decades. It has been said by Media worldwide that Max Pellicano's tribute Elvis To The Max goes beyond mere impersonation. Critics have described his performances as "Elvis resurrected" and 'reincarnated'. His recreation of "The King" looks, moves, vocal style, impressions and humour is so accurate, its awe-inspiring. You need to sound like the real thing and Max Pellicano has worked hard at that. Not only is the voice important, it's also knowing how to become the man himself on stage. There are lots of Elvis impersonators around, but Max Pellicano is considered as the best. In addition, the costumes worn by Max Pellicano are exact replicas made by Elvis' personal tailor Bill Bellow. Elvis To The Max will re-create a special night the 'The Orchestral Sessions", proudly presented in Australia by Abstract Entertainment.

A cultural icon, widely known by the single name Elvis, who is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "The King". But now the memory and legend lives on in the guise of the world's first and most-successful Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano, whose uncanny resemblance and equally chilling performance has mesmerised Australians over the last two decades. Is it any wonder some people still refuse to believe that Elvis Presley is dead! Max Pellicano's tribute Elvis To The Max goes beyond mere impersonation. His recreation of "The King" looks, moves, vocal style, impressions and humour is so accurate, its awe-inspiring. You need to sound like the real thing and Max Pellicano has worked hard at that. Not only is the voice important, it's also knowing how to become the man himself on stage. The attitude shy, but confident, Max Pellicano mimics, in a rich Mississippi drawl that is typically Elvis. There are lots of Elvis impersonators around, but Max Pellicano is considered as the best. Critics have described him as 'Elvis 'resurrected" and 'reincarnated' People just "Can't help falling in love" with Elvis to the Max. In addition, the costumes worn by Max Pellicano are exact replicas made by Elvis' personal tailor Bill Bellow. The shimmering encrusted "White Eagle" costume is a $10,000 recreation, identical the one worn by Elvis in 1972. Elvis To The Max production "The King In Concert" will be presented in three stages: "The King of Rock 'n' Roll" - The 50's Masters; the '68 Comeback Television Special that was regarded as a forerunner of the so-called "Unplugged" concept; and the music concert that was called "Aloha From Hawaii".

Max Pellicano was born in Monte Carlo, of French and Italian parents. He spent most of his childhood in New York before moving to San Francisco at the age of 14. Today, he is based in Detroit. He has been a professional actor and entertainer since 1974 when he graduated from the California State University with a degree in Dramatic Arts. Max Pellicano first brought Elvis (as an actor) to life on stage in a production of Bye Bye Birdie. "I was doing musicals and theatre and had to study Jailhouse Rock for my role as the Elvis-type character, Conrad Birdie. I studied the way he walked, the way he talked and the way he moved for months. I guess you could say I got into impersonating Elvis in a kind of round-about way" he said. His performance led to an Elvis tribute show and the rest is history. "I learnt long ago that the fans don't want the legend to die. They want to keep the memory going". Max said. He still spends many hours in front of the television listening to records. "I watch a lot of old live concerts and it's actually kind of easy to study Elvis because I really enjoy watching his shows" says Max. Max stresses that he is an actor recreating a character and it is an illusion. Some see it differently though - one of Max's strangest requests was when a couple in Los Angeles asked him to bless their child.

It should be noted there are more than 6,000 professional Elvis impersonators in the world and countless amateurs. "It's hard to copy the original, but what we try and do is recreate the Elvis concert and give people a chance to see what it might have been like to see Elvis perform live". Max Pellicano has appeared in feature films, notably "De Vinci's War", "The Gangster Chronicles" and "Sharon The Portrait Of A Mistress". He has performed with The Jordanaires, JD Sumner & The Stamps, the late George Burns, Dion , Helen Reddy, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Dolly Parton, The Coasters, Del Shannon, The Shirelles, Don Rickles and the late Davy Jones (The Monkees fame).

For further media information please contact:
Lionel Midford Publicity
Tel: 02 9328 6702
Mobile 0414 774 962
Fax: 02 9363 2981

Tour Dates & Venue

Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August
The Athenaeum Theatre, Melbourne
Bookings: Ticketek 132 849
Sunday 4th August
The Capitol, Bendigo
Bookings: (03) 5434 6100
Friday 9th August
Castle Hill RSL Club
Bookings: (02) 8858 4800
Saturday 10th August
Souths Juniors Club
Bookings: (02) 9349 7555
Friday 16th August
The Glasshouse, Port Macquarie
Bookings: (02) 6581 8888
Saturday 17th August
Twin Towns Services Club, Tweed Heads
Bookings: 1800 014 014
Wednesday 21st August
Civic Theatre, Townsville
Bookings: (07) 4727 9797
Friday 23rd August
Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Bookings: (07) 4698 9900
Saturday 24th August
Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club
Bookings: (02) 9559 0000
Wednesday 28th August
Civic Theatre, Orange
Bookings: (02) 6393 8112
Friday 30th August
Princess Theatre, Launceston
Bookings: (03) 6323 3666
Saturday 31st August
Wrest Point Entertainment Centre, Hobart
Bookings: 1300 795 257
Wednesday 4th September
Wests Leagues Club, Newcastle
Bookings: (02) 4935 1200
Friday 6th September
Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Nowra
Bookings: 1300 788 503
Saturday 7th September
Rooty Hill RSL Club
Bookings: (02) 9625 5500
Friday 13th September
Regional Theatre, Dubbo
Bookings: (02) 6801 4378
Saturday 14th September
Ryde Eastwood Leagues Club
Bookings: (02) 9807 2444
Friday 20th September
Bunbury Entertainment Centre
Bookings: 1300 661 272
Saturday 21st September
Regal Theatre, Perth
Bookings: Ticketek 132 849
Friday 27th September
Campbelltown RSL Club
Bookings: (02) 4625 1408
Saturday 28th September
Bankstown Sports Club
Bookings: (02) 9722 9888
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