Anthony Petrucci is a world renowned Elvis tribute artist based in Melbourne. Since winning Channel 9’s Star Struck portraying Elvis Presley, he has gone on to portray The King in one of the longest running tribute shows in existence: the world-famous Legends In Concert in Las Vegas. Anthony has also been personally selected by Sony Music to represent Elvis on Elvis by Request.
Anthony is heading to Adelaide on February 1 for two huge concerts at The Regal Theatre. He spoke to Glam Adelaide recently to discuss the show, his love of music and what it is about Elvis’s music that he is drawn to.
“I think for me it was a package deal. It was his sound, his look, his persona, his stage presence – everything about him drew me in from a young age. He had this captivating way to tell a story through every song he sang. Elvis never really wrote a song but he had this ability to take someone else’s song and not only make it his own, but he also had this instinctive ability to know what to suggest in terms of sound, tempo, instrumentation. Growing up in America’s South and being surrounded by the different cultures there really influenced him as well.”
Music played a huge part in Anthony’s life growing up.
“I have an Italian background, so when I was growing up music was a big part of everything we did – from parties to everyday life. I listened to a lot of different music growing up, not just that came out of Italy, but music in general. I was born in the mid eighties, the youngest of three, and my sisters were hugely into music as well. They’re a lot older than me, so I grew up listening to music from the seventies and eighties. But for me it was definitely Elvis all the way.”
We asked Anthony if he ever would have believed winning Star Struck would send him down such a successful performing career path.
“Absolutely not! It was only ever something I could dream of. I grew up in the 90s where social media wasn’t a thing – the world felt larger and a really untouched place. I performed a lot in high school and at school gigs, then one day I saw a commercial for Star Struck and thought it looked like something that I might like to give it a go. I went on to win it, and since then I haven’t looked back once.”
Anthony shared with us his favourite album that Elvis recorded.
“I would say a favourite album for me would be From Elvis In Memphis. For me I think he was just at his best. He was just the master of everything he recorded. Country and western, rhythm and blues, gospel, rock’n’roll, rockabilly… he seemed to be able to do anything, and do it well. I’m really partial to his ballads. I love his softer, romantic side.”
On Saturday 1 February, Anthony will be performing Elvis – By Anthony Petrucci at the Regal Theatre.
“Hopefully they get to enjoy hearing some of Elvis’ best numbers. I love performing and I love sharing Elvis with an audience. Audiences will get to hear the hits but they’ll also hear some of the more obscure songs that Elvis recorded throughout his career that sometimes never saw the light of day apart from the recording studio. He recorded so many good songs in the studio, but they never made it to a live performance.”
Accompanied by a live band, the show includes a lot of Elvis’ major hits and some special surprises for die-hard fans of The King. A show not to be missed for any Elvis Presley fan or any music fan! So slick up the hair, put on those blue suede shoes and let us take you on a journey to where rock ‘n’ roll began!
Elvis – By Anthony Petrucci
The Regal Theatre, 275 Kensington Road, Kensington Park
Saturday 1 February
2pm & 8pm
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1225348
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