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ET ----------~ - Tennessee Elvis lookalike PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, November 8, 1988 -- 11 pays tribute to the King Billy Can bristles slightly at the word "impersonator." Even though he looks like the King, dresses like him, and knows most of the more than 700 songs recorded by the King, Billy Can does not like to be called an "impersonator." "What I do." he told the Star in an interview last week, "is pay tribute to his music." The King, of course, is the late Elvis Presley, and what Billy Can has been doing the past 11 years, is take Elvis' music on the road, all over the United States, Canada, Japan and even to Wem- bly Stadium in London, England. And Billy, with his band "Jailhouse" will be making a stop in Blackstock with the show he calls "Memories and Reflections of the King." There's no denying that Billy has more than just a slight resem- blance to Elvis, even when he's not up on stage performing. His jet black hair is brushed back at the sides, and the thick sideburns of the same hue dip well below his ear. When interviewed last week, he was sporting western-style boots, black slacks, white shirt open at the neck, black leather vest and tinted glasses with thick metal frames. . He's very soft-spoken, with un-mistakeable traces of Memphis in his accent. He still calls Madi- son, Tenn. his home. "1 was always in awe of him," he said of Elvis. "There has never been an entertainer who had the impact on music that he has had. mention the endless stories about his being alive) is an indication of the impact he had on people. "His music can make people smile, can make them dance and can bring tears to their eyes," said Billy. It is not known exactly how many songs Elvis recorded, but on record industry catalogue puts the number at 743. He sold hundreds of millions of records and they still sell at brisk pace today. Of all the Elvis songs, Billy says he has no particular favour- ite, but he leans toward "Crying in the Chapel," and "How Great Thou Art." Of all the requests he gets from the audience during his shows, "Love Me Ténder" and Re- turn to Sender" are the most popu- lar. Billy said he was asked 11 years ago to take part in an Elvis tribute, and things just sort of snowballed from there. He's been busy ever since, touring mainly in Canada and the United States, but also overseas. He likes southern Ontario and says there are a lot of Elvis fans here. He notes that Canada was the only country other than the U.S. where Elvis performed in concert. - His concert in Blackstock is scheduled for November 26 in the Recreation Centre. It's the second one he's done in the past Fy through his friendship with Gary Brown, who operates G and S Custom Auto in Blackstock. "Gary and I met at a car show several years, and we just became good friends," said Billy. There are only 250 tickets available for the Blackstock Show, which Billy said will hard- ly generate enough money to cov- er expenses. But the Blackstock Lions Club will operate the refreshment booth as a money raising venture for their community projects. Though he knows a great deal about Elvis, has studied him on film, listened to his music, Billy met the King briefly on two occa- sions, once at Graceland and once backstage at a concert. When asked what he thinks about people who claim to be some long lost son or other rela- tive, Billy just shrugs, shakes his head and says "that's their busi- ness." He said that his tribute to El- vis "makes me a decent living and keeps me very busy." But he also said he won't keep it going forever. "I'll keep doing this (the trib- ute) until I feel I can't do the mu- sic justice any more." As of last week, about half the 250 tickets for the Blackstock show had been sold. For informa- tion on tickets, call Gary at 986- 5442. Billy Can has been doing his tribute to Elvis for over a decade, and he'll be performing at the Black- po listen to rock and roll today stock Recreation Centre later this month. Billy does can really thank Elvis," said Bil- not try to pass himself as an Elvis impersonator. (see ly. The fact that the music of El- story) vis Presley is popular today some 11 years after his death (not to "He started it all. The kids | 4 75 : STOR SY Billy Can and Gary Brown of Blackstock have been | pi 3 friends for the past seven or eight years. oN Gift Baskets of Distinction for Holiday Giving « Each basket individually created for Ideal for family, neighbours, that special someone teachers and other special friends * A variety of sizes, shapes, contents * An excellent corporate gift for both and prices employees and clients ¢ Order now for best selection ¢ Delivery available HOURS OF BUSINESS -- Saturday & Monday to Thursday 10 AM to 6 PM; Friday 10 AM to 9 PM; Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM iss quEEN ST. QRS _02DS ...... PORT PERRY ne! =] & d '{'A &F ' = od \ RE od TV BREN Y \ Sa SEER A A RR SS SR et eS