2017 Viva Surfers Paradise celebrates Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Queen
Once a year, the GC is home to a 10-day celebration of the music of one of the 20th century’s greatest artists - Elvis Presley. Dust off your blue suede shoes.
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There will only ever be one Elvis Presley. That’s no deterrent to others trying to emulate him, though, and on Queensland’s Gold Coast this week, scores of tribute artists dust off their blue suede shoes in memory of the King.
The 2017 Viva Surfers Paradise, a 10-day celebration of the music of one of the 20th century’s greatest artists, is on until Sunday (July 16) and for the first time has expanded to include tributes to other legends including John Lennon and Queen.
There is also an exhibition of classic cars, including a Mercedes Benz SSK roadster circa 1930 and sassy convertibles from the 1960s.
But back to Elvis.
The original boy from Memphis, Tennessee, sent conservative America into a spin with his first number one hit Heartbreak Hotel in 1956 and subsequent tunes including All Shook Up and Jailhouse Rock in 1957.
Such were the rocker’s provocative hip movements that he was nicknamed Elvis the Pelvis and police squads scrutinised his performances to make sure they met public decency guidelines.
Perse-lipped parents were not happy, but young fans were delirious.
Then came other classics including It’s Now or Never, Return to Sender and Suspicious Minds, accompanied by a prolific acting career until 1969 — remember G.I. Blues, Blue Hawaii, Clambake, Roustabout and Viva Las Vegas? I do; I grew up watching re-runs on TV and listening to my parents’ cherished Elvis LPs.
While Elvis died in August 1977, his music lives on.
Last weekend in a marquee on Surfers Paradise beach, it was Jay Dupuis, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, who headlined the show.
The 2014 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist competition winner, Dupuis is considered one of the top 10 in the world and, judging by the tears, screams and standing ovations, predominantly by the female contingent of the crowd, he did the King proud.
Dupuis, a former drummer who fell in love with the music of Elvis after his mum played him Hound Dog as a child, had the leathers, the fringed jumpsuits and the moves to match.
Viva Surfers Paradise is a free event put on by the Surfers Paradise Alliance and attracts up to 60,000 visitors.
Staying at the Mantra Legends Hotel, a five-minute walk to the concert venue, we did our bit for the local economy: burgers and mojitos at Hard Rock Café, Crema Catalana hot chocolates at San Churro and a sumptuous tapas spread at El Patio De Cuba restaurant — the salmon ceviche with lime and corn chips, and pan-fried prawns with black bean rice particular standouts.
Another easy walk from Mantra — but a giddy lift rise 77 storeys up — is the SkyPoint observation deck, where we took in 360 degree views, from the pristine shoreline and over the canals and residential rooftops to the lush hinterland.
The Gold Coast is popular at any time of the year, but when a tribe of Elvis the Pelvis look-alikes are in town and getting people up to dance, it’s particularly captivating.
As the King himself said: “Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it.”
The writer was a guest of the Surfers Paradise Alliance www.surfersparadise.com
Originally published as 2017 Viva Surfers Paradise celebrates Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Queen
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