Elvis Tribute Artist Tony Rocker Wows Packed Monona Terrace Crowd

March 16, 2011 by dekerivers

After a contentious month of politics in Madison, and the lingering reminder of a long cold winter everyone is in need of a release.  That came Wednesday night for a packed crowd at the Monona Terrace when Elvis tribute artist Tony Rocker dominated the stage.

With a polished and rather precise performance, Rocker was able to duplicate vocals, moves, and gestures that made the crowd recall a time when a shy boy from Memphis took the nation by musical force.

The bulk of Rocker’s show was modeled on the famed Elvis world-wide “Aloha From Hawaii” concert broadcast on NBC in 1973.  In a jumpsuit and cape that mirrored the one famously worn by Elvis, the Wednesday night show was a cross-section of musical memories.

Being a serious Elvis fan, and having attended a number of tribute shows over the decades, I can attest that there are few tribute performers who truly have the act nailed down.  Tony Rocker is one that can be proud to carry the title of Elvis tribute artist.  

While there were moments when I would have choreographed things a bit differently, no one can deny that Rocker has studied “The King”, and can be mighty proud of his stage show.

A portion of the crowd would have recalled the original airing of the Ed Sullivan shows that shook the nation.  They were mostly women, and all clearly excited to be sitting near the stage.  They swayed and clapped, and were caught up in the music that helped change America.

But not everyone at the show was alive when Elvis was rocking the music charts.

Brody, age seven, was mouthing the words to some songs near the stage, am mimicking the actions.  He was all dressed as if he could have taken the stage and filled in had Rocker suffered a flat tire on the way to the Terrace.

At the end of the show Brody was pulled onto the stage and will have a story to tell his classmates when he attends school Thursday.