There’ll be a whole lotta shakin’ going on at the Salmar Classic Theatre.
Former world champion Elvis tribute artist Darren Lee will appear in an all-new, full multi-media spectacular Oct. 25.
Lee, whose last appearance in Salmon Arm earned him an enthusiastic standing ovation, will be heading back to the U.S. shortly after the show.
Born in Edmonton, Alta., Lee attributes his musical ability to his mother and admit’s Elvis Presley’s “Hound Dog” was the first song that caught his attention.
It was his mother who encouraged his already obvious musical talent by giving him a guitar when he was just three years old.
His initial entrance into the world of entertaining was performing for friends and family.
Initially reluctant, Lee learned to play the guitar when he was in Grade 6, following his participation in a school choir in a performance that was later recorded.
“It’s the best thing that ever happened to me,” says the artist who began experimenting with the music of Elvis and other rock ‘n’ roll pioneers.
Lee took his music to the next level in his teen years, performing in lounges and entering talent shows.
In 1988, Darren placed second in an Elvis contest in Edmonton. A chance meeting with another Elvis Impersonator, led to an audition with the Elvis-Elvis-Elvis show.
That led to a tour across Canada as the young “energetic” Elvis of the 1950s.
A year later, Lee formed “Rock N’ Roll Heaven,” a tribute show that featured the talented artist in the roles of Elvis, Ricky Nelson, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison, John Lennon and Ritchie Valens. The show toured for seven years.
In 1994 Lee won an Elvis impersonator contest sponsored by the Elvis Presley Museum, a win that led to an eight-month tour in Australia.
It was at this time that eight “Friends of Darren Lee” fan clubs began and continue to this day.
On Aug. 16, 1997, 20 years to the day, Lee became the first Canadian to rate as the number 1 Elvis Tribute Artist in the World.
In 1998, in honour of Elvis’ birthday, and again in 1999, Lee was the first and only Elvis tribute artist to totally re-create the “Elvis ’68 Comeback special.”
Attracted by the bright lights of Las Vegas, Lee appeared there for the first time in 2000 and broke the record for being the first and only Elvis impersonator tribute artist to perform in Las Vegas history for 11 straight years.
Lee will bring the world of Elvis to the Salmar Grand at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 25.
Tickets are $25 and are available at Acorn Music or at ticketweb.ca.
