Elvis Está en el Edificio – Elvis is in the Building

There are some classic icons that transcend time and space, such as Marilyn Monroe, Che Guevarra, Jim Morrison and of course, Elvis Presley. The thing that really makes Elvis different and in many ways, the largest icon (el icono grande) of modern times, is that his music and his manner were unique and timeless. From his early days in Nashville and Memphis to his final days in Las Vegas, Elvis in many ways epitomized the transcendence (la transcendencia) of the wide-eyed hungry youth to the catatonic overweight middle-aged man. Yet, whenever he opened his voice to sing, the appearances were not important and what really mattered and still matters is the music (la música).

Well, I can tell you that the spirit and the music of Elvis Presley is alive and well here in Santiago. Recently, we went with our friends Claudio and Selma to see their son, Claudito, perform as part of an Elvis tribute show. We eagerly signed on for the evening (la noche), and were joined by Taty and Juan and others and made our way to the show one evening in Ñuñoa. What I did not realize is that not only would I be taken back by the event (el evento), I would in effect be propelled forward.

Upon arrival at the show, about 10 PM, Claudito, who is a great guy and a tall one too (un buen hombre y también muy alto), greeted us at the Elvis table (la mesa de Elvis). We talked a bit about the night and said we were looking forward to the show as well. What we did not expect was the transformation (una transformación) that would be made before our eyes and ears as well. He came out with his band dressed as a youthful Elvis, harkening the early days, singing in a tone that not only recalled Elvis, but one in appearance as well. His voice (su voz) was crisp and melodic, hitting all the notes and making all the moves, shimmying and shaking much to the delight of the crowd.

Later, he emerged as an older Elvis, more black leather that jumpsuit, but the transition was effective, and he continued, along with his tight backing band, to rock the joint like they did back in Nashville and Las Vegas. I was really impressed, and it goes further, because all the songs (las canciones) were done in English in perfect pitch and tone. I can’t imagine singing even one song in another language (un otro idioma), let alone a 2-hour set of classics that everyone knows.

And everyone knew all the lyrics, especially all the patrons of the club, who sang along in English to many a tune, some that I knew and others I had difficulty recalling all the lyrics. Now this may have been an Elvis-crazy crowd, a group of fanatic fans, but it was not something average or normal, it was exceptional and brilliant (excepcional y brillante). Needless to say, when someone asks me if I have seen Elvis, I can honestly say, he is alive and well and living in Santiago.