Brad Rose not only looks a lot like the King of Rock’n’Roll, he sounds a lot like him, too.
Because when it comes to being Elvis Presley, Rose has found his calling.
The retired 57-year-old spends his days singing Elvis classics like “Little Sister,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Separate Ways” and “Swing Down Sweet Chariot.”
Like Presley, Rose began singing in church choirs at the age of six.
But his first performance as the King was during a Relay For Life fundraising event six years ago. The theme that year was Viva Las Vegas, and the organizers asked if he could sing some Elvis songs. This gave the singer a chance to showcase his unique talent in public for the first time.
Following that performance, Rose’s children entered him in a radio singing contest, which he won. What’s more, he learned he was to open the show for pop singer Cher — yes, that Cher — at three different casinos in Vegas.
He even came in fifth place recently at an Elvis tribute competition in Collingwood, one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.
The Sudbury entertainer has immersed himself in the Elvis’ legendary life. Besides being the proud owner of $20,000 worth of Elvis-style jumpsuits to perform in, he has collected dozens of Presley memorabilia and, as any true Elvis fan must do at least once, has visited Graceland, the singer’s home-turned-tourist-attraction in Memphis, Tenn.
He enjoys performing for the ParkSide Older Adult Centre at the YMCA, Legions and retirement homes in the area where the residents provide a large fan base.
“I just love it,” Rose said. “If ... people say my name in the same sentence as Elvis, I’m kinda proud of that.”
