Elvis Tribute Artists ROCK Bourbon Street

Ex-Londoner chosen as Elvis tribute artist of 2013; Oak Lawn man voted "People's Choice" winner in Windy City competition.

Elvis tribute artists from around the country were taking care of business at 115 Bourbon Street to choose Chicago’s best Elvis impressionist of 2013 this weekend. For two nights, 16 performers sang and gyrated their pelvises in the Windy City Elvis Tribute Artist Competition. Ex-Londoner Anthony Shore, who resides in Minneapolis, took first-place honors; with David Allen of Dallas and South Bend, IN’s Irv Kass rounding out the king’s court in second and third. Shore seemingly channeled the kind nailing a difficult version of "My Way" in a rich baritone eerily reminscent of Elvis's. "He was the world's greatest entertainer," Shore told the packed house, whose British accent sounded more like Ringo's. "Everyone in the world knows who Elvis …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (31)

Elvis-Confidant Offers Intimate Portrait of King of Rock and Roll at Hilton Oak Lawn

Thirty-five years after his death, Diamond Joe Esposito is still taking care of business for best friend, Elvis Presley.

Diamond Joe Esposito, who spent 17 years working for and traveling the world with Elvis Presley, will be discussing the day the Beatles met Elvis at an intimate dinner tonight at the Hilton Oak Lawn. As a member of the Memphis Mafia, Esposito was Elvis’s road manager, right-hand man, and close personal friend from the time they were discharged from the Army up until Elvis’s death on Aug. 17, 1977. Esposito rew up on Chicago’s near-northwest side was just a few years out of Marshall High School when he was drafted into the Army in 1958. Elvis was already a huge star when he reported for duty at a small army base in Friedberg, Germany, three weeks after Esposito had arrived. The two saw each other around the base but didn’t actually meet …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Meet Elvis's Road Manager and Trusted Confidante Joe Esposito

One of Elvis's closest friends and road manager, Diamond Joe Esposito will discuss the day Elvis met the Beatles at special dinner at the Hilton Oak Lawn on Feb. 23.

Joe "Elvis" Tirrito Taking Care of Business at Stony Creek

Get all shook up with Joe Elvis and Patch for an evening of karaoke at Stony Creek Golf and Banquet Center tonight (Thursday).

Tonight (Thursday) Joe “Elvis” Tirrito will enter the Stony Creek Golf and Banquet Complex and then leave—for a night of karaoke that is sure to leave songsters humming “All Shook Up.” Subscribe to tbe Oak Lawn Patch newsletter and breaking news alerts. The Southland’s most preeminent Elvis tribute artist (he’s not an impersonator), Tirrito has appeared in Las Vegas Legends In Concert and even performed at President Bill Clinton’s first presidential inauguration. “I didn’t get to talk to him but he did see me performing,” Tirrito said. “I got to shake his hand. That was a pretty big deal.” At age 45, the Palos Heights tribute artist has been performing as Elvis for more than a quarter century Tirrito focuses on on Elvis’s later career …

• Photos (1)
• Videos (1)