One of Canada’s top Elvis tribute artists is bringing his show to the ACT.
Toronto’s Pete Paquette will be sharing the stage with Chris Connor, from the United Kingdom, in “A Tribute to Elvis in Concert.”
Paquette has performed across Canada with his hit show, “Elvis: The Moments.”
For this performance, he will be portraying Elvis during the 1950s and in his 1968 comeback special.
The comeback special was a pre-recorded concert-style NBC television program in front of a live audience.
“He had never performed in at least 10 years in front of a live audience and he came back and he was in a leather outfit,” said Paquette.
“That was a huge moment in Elvis’ return to live performance. He just wore it that one time for the NBC special,” he explained.
Connor will be focusing on Elvis’ concert years, when he wore the famous jumpsuit.
Connor specializes in Elvis in the early concert years, 1972 approximately.
“Elvis passed away in 1977, so it was when Elvis was at his prime and at his best,” said Paquette.
He was 10 years old when he developed a passion for Elvis Presley’s music.
He started winning Elvis tribute artist festivals when he was 17 years old. He became the two-time Canadian champion of the Collingwood Elvis Festival in Ont., the biggest Elvis festival in the world aside from the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee.
Paquette is looking forward to performing all of Elvis’ hit songs.
“The style in which the music was played was a little different than the concert era,” Paquette said of the two eras of The King’s career he will be paying tribute to.
“It was more rough around the edges,” Paquette added.
“Elvis was just at his most exciting phase. The rock and roll had a lot of energy. Whereas in the concert years, it was a lot of power ballads, a lot of emotional songs,” such as the iconic song Suspicious Minds.
Elvis’ band grew as well during the concert years, which added to his appeal.
Paquette and Connor will be performing with The Rockin’ Royals Band, and backup singers The Tonettes.• A Tribute to Elvis in Concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 17 at the ACT, 11944 Haney Place in Maple Ridge. Tickets are $54. For more information, go to www.theactmapleridge.org.