Hong Kong Elvis impersonator Melvis talks about his 28 years on the road, and how he became the King
- Kwok Lam-sang had never heard of Elvis Presley before his death in 1977, but quickly became obsessed with the ‘King of Rock ’n’ Roll’
- He researched the star, got an Elvis suit made, won some Elvis competitions, and has been performing without a break since then
“Hello. This is Elvis.” An introduction like that when you answer your phone could leave you all shook up. However, far from being a voice from beyond the grave, it is that of a man very much alive – 67-year-old Kwok Lam-sang, better known as Melvis.
Kwok has been swivelling his hips for almost three decades in Hong Kong’s biggest nightspots, where he plays for tips dressed as his hero and warbling his songs.
Age is no barrier to Kwok, and he can still be seen performing seven nights a week.
From here it’s a stroll to the pubs of Wan Chai, which are full of customers welcoming the weekend with a beer. It’s noticeable that Melvis walks with a slight limp, but when asked if he is OK he just smiles and waves away the concern. “It’s no problem,” he says.
