When asked about career highlights, Max said that one of the personal highlights of his successful career was performing in Australia recently with a 50-piece orchestra...along with band, backup singers, and a full stage production which re-created an Elvis concert in authentic detail. Describing the fan reaction in other parts of the world, Max said that in countries such as Australia where Elvis never performed, the fans just “rush the stage” en masse and it really is an extraordinary “adrenalin rush” to play to a 2,000 member audience in Australia and to have them rush the stage like this!

As far as future plans, Max has some interesting projects in the works and, I believe, an updated website coming soon, too. In the meantime, check Max’s current website and be sure to catch Max’s show if he comes to a city near you!

And finally, I’d also like to mention that Max has some of the most professional “folios” I’ve seen (i.e. picture books very similar to those that were issued at Elvis’ concerts in the ‘70's and at the “Elvis the Concert” productions) -- well worth seeing, reading, and keeping as a beautiful souvenir!

Many thanks to Max Pellicano for taking the time out of his hectic pre-Christmas schedule for this interview. We hope you’ll be back this way again soon, Max!


Details:
www.elvistothemax.com
Upcoming show: Jan. 14, 15: Casino Nova Scotia (Halifax)

Well, if there is any Elvis entertainer who has traveled the globe and has a large international following, it has to be Max Pellicano! Just back in the US after a 7-month tour of Australia, Max recently spent a few weeks performing at a venue closer to home (much to the delight of his fans in the Michigan/Ontario area who have missed him greatly over the past few months). I took this opportunity to catch up with Max, as I knew he was leaving very shortly to entertain again in Australia over the holiday season and then was heading to Canada’s East Coast. Read on!

Max Pellicano was born in Monte Carlo to French and Italian parents, but spent his early years in New York. Max remembers first becoming aware of Elvis Presley when he was 6 years old and his brother played “Hound Dog” and “All Shook Up” 1,000 times! His first guitar was a plywood one that his father bought for him for Christmas when he was ll years old, which, he says, “was so bad, it didn’t have a name.”

By age l4, Max and his family had moved to San Francisco and Max continued to pursue his musical interests by playing in bands throughout high school (and upgrading his guitars!). He eventually graduated from California State University with a degree in Dramatic Arts and began a career as a professional actor and entertainer.

Max cites his biggest musical influences growing up as Elvis and The Beatles, along with groups such as Chicago, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and the British groups in general. Other influences included R & B singers and - just like Elvis, himself - Mario Lanza! As a Dramatic Arts student, Max was also influenced by musical theatre productions such as Kiss Me Kate and Guys and Dolls, and renowned composers such as Cole Porter.

Max has acted in stage productions of Guys and Dolls, Inherit the Wind, and The Heiress, among others. Movie credits include Sharon the Portrait of a Mistress (l976), The Gangster Chronicles (l980), and Da Vinci’s War (l992).

It’s always interesting to hear how actors and musicians become Elvis entertainers and in Max’s case it was as a result of an Elvis-like leading role as Conrad Birdie in Bye Bye Birdie, which involved singing “Jailhouse Rock.” Shortly thereafter, Max was approached about “doing Elvis” and soon found himself performing in an Elvis show with Mary Wells of Motown fame, and entertaining as Elvis as part of a tribute show in Hawaii. He hasn’t looked back since!

And, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention -- on behalf of Max’s many female fans -- that, with his extremely handsome good looks, about the best “Elvis hair” I’ve seen, similar physical stature to Elvis, the acting talent, the theatrical know-how, and the ability to create the illusion of Elvis, he is a natural!

Now based in Detroit, Michigan, Max has performed not only throughout North America, but in many countries around the world. He was with Legends in Concert for a number of years, and with Legends shows in Germany, where he has a large fan following. Over the years, Max has entertained in many other venues also, and has performed with The Jordanaires and JD Sumner & The Stamps, as well as The Platters, Dion, Little Anthony and the Imperials, The Coasters, The Shirelles, George Burns, Helen Reddy, Dolly Parton, Del Shannon and Rich Little.

During the past decade, Max has toured extensively in Australia and New Zealand, where he has also developed a large fan base. [Most of the pics on this page are from Max’s 2004 Australian tour, where he wowed the crowds and performed with a 50-piece orchestra, while re-creating Elvis' concerts].

When I caught up with Max recently, he was performing a 90-minute “casino show” at the Windsor Casino, just outside Detroit (as opposed to his full 2-hour touring show). I was instantly impressed with the high level of production, the attention to detail, the dancers, with their professional choreography and stylish costumes, and the calibre of entertainment throughout the whole show. Max Pellicano and his team have done their homework and it shows “big time.” I can only imagine how entertaining and authentic the full two-hour touring shows are and how impressive Max’s show would be in a theatre setting also, as it is, indeed, “musical theatre.” Hopefully Max will consider staging more of his full 2-hour productions in Canada and the US!

During the casino show, Max performed all three Elvis eras: the gold lame, the ‘68 Comeback, and the concert years -- along with with a few movie tunes and the new remixed “Little Less Conversation.” Add to this some fantastic choreography, a fast-paced delivery, and a clever selection of songs which were very well delivered, this was a thoroughly enjoyable tribute to Elvis, complete with an 8-piece band, 4 back up singers and 4 dancers. The dancers, themselves, were a treat to watch with their numerous costume changes and outstanding choreography accompanying songs such as” Rock A Hula Baby,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Trouble,” “Little Less Conversation,” “Polk Salad Annie” and “Fever.” During one of Max’s costume changes, the audience enjoyed listening to “Walking in Memphis” by backup singer, Jamie, and during another costume change, comedic impressionist Paul Lochriccio added humour and flair.

I also really enjoyed the clever video footage shown on the large side screens which preceded the ‘70's set. Featuring Max as “Elvis,” it was eerily reminiscent of Elvis’ arrival in Hawaii before the Aloha Concert -- so much so that it actually sent a chill down my spine! Imagine a collage of shots showing a helicopter arriving, fans gathering, a limousine, pictures being autographed, closeups of the King’s jewelry, strains of concert music gradually becoming louder and building up to Max’s live entrance on stage, followed by a visually and vocally authentic version of CC Rider (complete with Max’s Gibson guitar)! This was very well done, and was an impressive lead-in to the “concert years” segment of the show.

Max worked the crowd well, too, venturing out into the audience with scarves and interacting with his ardent fans all the while singing “Love Me Tender.” As an actor and entertainer, he’s studied Elvis and has the moves, mannerisms, stance, and facial expressions down to a T.

All too soon, the show came to an end, with the grand finale of Viva Las Vegas, which saw Max accompanied one last time by the dancers wearing their Vegas “showgirl” costumes.

This was an enjoyable “musical theatre” production and a classy tribute to Elvis, staged by a performer who has done his homework and a “team” who deliver quality and professionalism. Kudos to all involved, including Max’s wife, Kelly, who plays a large part in choreographing the dancers’ routines and costumes.

Before the show I had an opportunity to talk informally with Max for a while and found him to be just as personable and friendly off stage as he is on.

I asked Max if he had any advice for those starting out and he said, “Unless you have real passion for this, don’t do it. Be yourself! There are so many impersonators out there, that you have to have a passion for it.”

He also said “keep things in perspective,” “separate yourself from the act,” and “leave Elvis on the stage,” adding that nothing bothers him more than seeing tribute artists who “continue their Elvis act when they are off the stage” and commenting that he couldn’t believe seeing ETA’s in Memphis who were sitting in restaurants eating hamburgers in full Elvis gear! He says, “It’s acting and it’s a role, but leave it on the stage when you are finished -- and that includes faking the Southern accent too.”

I asked Max how he gets into character before a show. He said he always plays an Elvis CD before the show, and that just putting on the costumes helps him to get ready mentally. He emphasized that he is a real stickler about his costumes and that they are all made by B & K with great attention to detail. He said the hardest part of creating the illusion and “acting as Elvis” is re-creating the charisma that Elvis had (I couldn’t agree more with Max on this point!). Max also added that portraying Elvis is a challenge as “Elvis was musically astute” and he had some of the best musicians available working for him (citing James Burton and others), as does Max, himself. Max also feels Elvis was one of the “chosen few”...and definitely one of a kind.

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