ELVIS TO THE MAX
New Straits Times, U Buy U Sell
Wednesday, November 8, 2006

ELVIS TO THE MAX
Pellicano, who regularly piles the Las Vegas circuit, is currently regarded the ‘World’s Best Elvis Presley’ and bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Presley in physical appearance and voice.

Fans of the King of Rock and Roll can look forward to November 25, when Australian Elvis impersonator Max Pellicano will swivel and croon his way into the hearts of Malaysians at the Sime Darby Convention Centre in Bukit Kiara.

The event will be a charity evening with Alstar Productions and Datuk Dr. Lim Ewe Jin’s Lejadi Group of Companies doing its bit to raise funds for Yayasan Amal Wangsa and The Force of Nature Aid Foundation.

Pellicano, who regularly piles the Las Vegas circuit, is regarded the ‘World’s Best Tribute Artiste’ and ‘World’s Best Elvis Presley’ and bears an uncanny resemblance to the late Presley in physical appearance and voice. For the coming KL show, he will accompanied by choral quartet and a 15-piece live band, comprising musicians from Malaysia, Australia and the US.

His Elvis reputation is thus far undisputed, with several shows every year in the US, Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand, and collaborations with such stars as Mary Wells, Dolly Parton, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Platters, Coasters, Shirelles, Rich Little, Helen Reddy, Del Shannon and George Burns.

Pellicano has been a professional actor and entertainer since 1974 when he received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Cal State University, Hayward, in Dramatic Arts. Since then he has appeared on stage, in movies, television and countless commercials.

He was born in Monte Carlo to French and Italian parents, spent his early years in New York, and remembers first becoming aware of Elvis Presley when he was six 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 11 years old, which, he says, “was so bad, it didn’t have a name”.

He 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 (1976), The Gangster Chronicles (1980), and Da Vinci’s War (1992).

Max first brought his Elvis impersonation to life on stage in a production of Bye Bye, Birdie in which he portrayed an Elvis-type character, Conrad Birdie. This eventually led to his outrageous night club act with which he wowed audiences all over the country.

In 2002, Pellicano toured Australia with his 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour, a tribute to Presley’s final performances in 1977. Two years later, he recreated the Aloha From Hawaii performances.

Pellicano’s charisma, physical appearance and artistic skills often leave audiences spellbound, one huge compliment came from Presley’s backup vocalist Charlie Hodge who, after watching Max Pellicano perform, said:”It was a flashback to my own life, when I toured with Elvis Presley.”

Admission to the Max Pellicano: Elvis To The Max charity show is at a minimum of RM360 per head. For dinner shows reservations, call Carmen (03-2300 1417) or Adrian (016-382 0309). For more information, visit www.alstar.com.my