A fitting tribute to the King of Rock and Roll
repertoire list to follow
demos to follow
A multi-talented musician, "Ben Portsmouth" is a singer and songwriter who had Elvis’s DNA in his blood from an early age. His father was an avid Elvis fan and he grew up on a diet of Elvis songs. Having honed his musical talent, he started his journey as an Elvis Tribute Artist in 2005 when he formed the “Taking Care of Elvis” band. Audiences and promoters quickly realised that this was someone with a special talent. He looked like Elvis, sang like Elvis and had an on stage charisma that had audiences believing at times they were watching the King himself.
Ben's talent saw him rapidly rise through the ranks of Elvis Tribute Artists in the UK. In 2006 he was voted the best Elvis at the prestigious international Elvis festival at Porthcawl, Wales, the largest of its kind in Europe. He was the youngest competitor and was the total opposite to the stereotypical Elvis impersonator – he was sexy, didn’t need a wig and was wearing the most authentic outfits flown in from America.
Success in the UK was followed by success in Europe and Ben Portsmouth qualified to represent Europe in the final of the “Images of the King” contest in Memphis 2010 to find the World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist. It was a daunting task to be competing against the best Elvis Tribute artists in what is effectively Elvis’s backyard. However, he was up to the task; inspired no doubt by his first visit to Graceland. He was voted World Champion Elvis Tribute Artist by both the judges and the public vote.
When he returned to the USA some months later and won again at another major Elvis festival near New York, the global Elvis industry sat up and took notice. No Elvis Tribute Artist had made a first time appearance at two consecutive major festivals in America and walked away the winner of both. This success led to offers from US promoters for him to headline shows in America. His first successful concert was in New England and many more are set to follow.
His career in Europe has also taken off where he is playing on the biggest stages to audiences across Europe that are measured in thousands. However he is humble and down to earth. He can’t believe he gets the opportunity to entertain as an Elvis Tribute Artist and he wants to stay in touch with his core fan base. There will always be a place for the smaller more intimate concert where he can connect on a more one to one basis with his audience.
When he performs it’s as if he inhabits the persona of Elvis. His triple octave vocal range and perfect pitch allows him to hit the most challenging high notes. His guitar virtuosity enables him to authentically recreate Elvis’s 1968 comeback concert.
There was only one Elvis but Ben Portsmouth is the closest you will ever get in terms of Elvis’s looks, his singing voice and on stage charisma.