Even 30 years after his death, Elvis (channeled by Galevis) still charms his fans who love to relive the halcyon days of rock & roll. If you are lucky, you can catch his act on Main Street on a misty, moonlit night. Just look for the sparkle of rhinestones on polyester. Photo by Phil Houseal
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"Gale"vis
by Phil Houseal
April 1, 2007
Elvis may be dead. But he still plays Fredericksburg.
On a special night, somewhere along the widest Main Street in Texas, you might be fortunate enough to hear The King reprising his hits for townspeople and travelers.
Like the Ghost Riders in the Sky, the Flying Dutchmen, and the Lost Boys, Elvis Presley refuses to go gently into that dark night. His Fredericksburg incarnation is "Gale-vis," a wigged and caped, sequin jump-suited version of the god of rock and roll. I can't really tell you where and when Galevis appears. His performances are ethereal, befitting the Ghost of Graceland. But I was fortunate enough to track him down for an interview one recent misty night.
Q: I thought you were dead.
Galevis: I was. But it got boring. You know they sing about "rock and roll heaven," but it isn't all heavenly. All the best dead musicians aren't there, if you know what I mean...
Q: Many myths have arisen since you left us. What misconceptions do people still have about you?
Galevis: The clothes. I don't unnerstand why they think I should still wear polyester jump suits with sequins, 30 years after that went out of style. I really prefer natural fibers. And everyone portrays me as being fat. To tell the truth, I lost a lot of weight after I died.
Q: What is the hardest part of being an icon?
Galevis: The hardest part is that I can't go into a Subway without my picture showing up on the cover of Star magazine. You'd think a guy could enjoy the occasional meatball sandwich without having to hide behind a wig, high collar, cape, and dark glasses. Of course, that's what I wear all the time, anyway.
Q: How has the music changed since you "left the building?"
Galevis: Today's music is just unmelodic noise with insipid lyrics. Where are the great songs with textured storytelling and complex musical arrangements like Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock? Those are classics, man.
Q: Have you been playing much in the past 30 years?
Galevis: Actually, we get the old Sun Records gang together for the occasional celestial clambake - Carl, Johnny, Roy, and me. Waiting on old Jerry Lee to show up - the way he lived we are surprised we've had to wait this long.
Q: Any plans for another comeback?
Galevis: I applied for a part in this new Rock Opry coming to town, but they already had an Elvis.
Q: Anything you want to say to your loyal fans?
Galevis eased himself out of his seat, adjusted his cape, and headed for the stage. He paused and turned, and gave me a wink.
"Tell them...," he said, his lip drawn up in that Elvis sneer, "tell them... it feels good to crawl out of your hole every once in awhile and get all shook up."
The King is dead. Long live the King.
XXX