As music fans around the world mourn the death of Michael Jackson, residents in Penticton, B.C. gathered Sunday to pay tribute to a rock icon. It proves that dying young makes stars like Elvis Presley and Jackson immortal.
The Penticton event drew tribute artists with names Relvis, and Velvis, and Adam Fitzelvis. All have the patented Elvis moves, such as the shaking knees and gyrating pelvis.
For many fans, Elvis was a teen crush that can't be replaced.
But a guy named Shawn Klush, the undisputed world's best Elvis impersonator, comes eerily close.
It's a bit of a mystery how Elvis impersonation has become its own industry. But sadly it seems it's Elvis's early departure that's a big part of it.
"As with Michael Jackson, The guy left too early. It's a mystique because you can't have it anymore," said Klush.
"He's bigger now than he was when he was alive almost,'' said two-time Penticton Elvis champ, Ben Klein. " Why have so many people out here who absolutely love Elvis and I'm one of them."
Thousands and thousands have come to the event, a sign that if memories are supposed to fade with time, it just doesn't seem to work with Elvis.
"It's about re-living the memories of Elvis. That's really what it is because lets fact it, he left the world way too soon," said Barry Sjolin, the event organizer.
"It's just the memory of his beautiful music. He had a beautiful voice and he just touches people."
It's been 32 years, since Elvis died.
His fans know they'll never see him again, and the entertainers know they can't replace him.
But they don't get tired of trying.
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Kent Molgat
