It’s Viva Europe for our local Elvis impersonator, who’s made a name for himself here and around the world doing spot-on songs and moves by “The King.” Washington’s gained such a reputation for his Elvis sound that he’s been asked to be part of the Original Elvis Tribute Europe Tour 2010, which will celebrate Elvis’ 75th birthday. The tour will include Duke Bardwell, one of Elvis’ bass players, and Michael Jarrett, a piano player who wrote two songs for Elvis.
Washington leaves in January. Is he looking forward to the trip? “It’s special to me because of all the people they could have chosen to do the tour, I was picked. I mean, these people worked with Elvis, wrote songs for Elvis. And out of all the people, they said that they really liked the sound of my voice. Man, to me that’s huge!” Read on for more.
Name: Robert L. Washington
What your friends call you: Robert. Rob. When I worked in the shipyard, it used to be “The King.”
Town you live in currently: Auburn
What’s your “day job”? Right now I’m unemployed, but looking … so I’m pretty much doing Elvis full time for now.
What is it about Elvis that made him so special — that captured you imagination as a young man? I really can’t put it into words, just the first time I saw him on TV I thought he was so cool, could dance, sing and get the girl, all in one movie. I just thought that was great back when I was young.
I understand that it was some friends encouraging you to do some karaoke singing that got you started impersonating Elvis. Were you surprised by the reaction then? And are you surprised by where that has led you today? I really got started doing lip-sync contests back in the early ’80s way before karaoke got started. I was very surprised by the reactions, and I wasn’t even singing. But by the late ’80s when karaoke came out and I was really singing, it just kind of took off. I’m still surprised by all the attention I get singing Elvis.
When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew? Was music or Elvis part of that dream? I really didn’t know what I wanted to do when I grew up. I always loved to work on cars, and went into the service for that. I think I could always sing, even when I was little. I sounded like Aretha Franklin back then, a really high voice, but I’ve been an Elvis fan since I was about 7or 8 years old, so he’s been a part of my life for a very long time.
You grew up in St. Louis. How did you end up in Maine? I joined the Marine Corps when I was in high school in ’77. I was stationed in Brunswick in November of ’77.
You’ve done shows and competitions all over the country and in some other countries. What’s your most memorable show and why? I think the most memorable show was when I was flown to Japan last year. I did four shows over there. … It was great ’cause the people are such big Elvis fans — who don’t even speak the language — it really was a great trip!
Has audience reaction to the fact that you’re a black man impersonating a white man changed over the years? Honestly, I really didn’t see much of it even back then. I’m sure it was there, but I didn’t see a lot of it. I think Elvis impersonators in general have changed … over the years. I think that I have paid my dues. A lot of the guys (impersonating Elvis) have come up to me and said “You’re the guy that I studied.” Weather it was the singing or the moves. They bought the videos and watched them and me — that’s a pretty good compliment to me I think. I think most people see me as a very good performer and not a good black performer. Just the way I want it to be.
Do you continue to work on your impersonation vocally, or do you pretty much have Elvis’ voice nailed at this point? I still sing every day.
Some people say you are the best Elvis sound-alike out there today. Is there some contest or series of contests that has confirmed that? The sound-alike is something new to me. I mean, I’ve heard for a very long time that I sound like Elvis. Most of the contests I’ve been to, in the vocal category I would always score high. People would come up to me and say, “Man, I closed my eyes and I thought it was Elvis singing.” Now that’s the best compliment I could ever get, ’cause the fans are always right.
Favorite Elvis song? “If I can dream”
Best Elvis movie? “Flaming Star”
Worst Elvis movie? I won’t say.
Despite the media coverage you’ve received over the years, what is something many people may not know about Robert Washington — Elvis related or otherwise — that you’d be willing to share? I really don’t say this enough, but I really would like to thank all the wonderful people who have helped me over the years. You know who you are. All the people who come to my shows over the years, because without the support I wouldn’t still be doing this. And finally, to the man himself, Elvis: You have brought so many together with your talent. I have been lucky to meet some of the most wonderful people in the world because of you, and I hope it continues for many, many years to come.
Robert Washington of Auburn.
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