The following article is an edited copy of a media release that was posted prior to ETA Thane Dunn’s show in Mississauga. Worthy of the title “Extravaganza”, the evening’s production included two special guests, a chance to win framed Elvis memorabilia, and a touching moment with a young fan.
ETA Thane Dunn. Photo provided by Thane Dunn.
Deemed as one of the best in the business for recreating Elvis Presley onstage, ETA Thane Dunn has won the world's largest International Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and the World's Largest Elvis Gospel Competition. With his amazing Elvis voice, natural physical resemblance and Presley-like sense of humour, Thane has been referred to as "the full Elvis package" and has fans raving whenever he performs.
Elvis Presley in a photo by John Rowlands.
“He’s the closest thing to Elvis being in the building, a split second away from the real thing,” said world famous rock and roll photographer John Rowlands, who was hired by RCA to photograph 48 Elvis’s concerts from 1972 until 1976.
John Rowlands joined Thane to open the Toronto show. Presenting amazing photos from his career on the road and with ELVIS ON TOUR, Rowlands offered concert goers a chance to see ‘never before seen photos’ of Elvis.
Also joining Thane in his “Extravaganza” was the legendary Bill Baize, the high tenor singer of the JD Sumner and the Stamps Gospel Quartet who performed with Elvis from 1971 until 1976 and sang at Elvis's funeral. The Nashville Tennessee native spoke of Thane’s authenticity in his comment, "Thane Dunn is the closest thing I've ever seen to Elvis."
Photos of David Bowie, Mick Jagger, and the Beatles (above Barry Roden‘s photo of John) are credited to John Rowlands.
The night featured a mix of Presley's rock, country and gospel hits from "Blue Suede Shoes" to "How Great Thou Art" adapted from Presley's early to live concert years and offered something for everyone.
Following in Elvis Presley’s steps as a very compassionate man who never forgot about his humble beginnings, Thane, who has helped raise thousands of dollars for various charities over the years, marked his Toronto performance debut, by donating a portion of the show’s proceeds to the Haven on the Queensway, an organization that feeds and clothes the homeless and those less fortunate in the Greater Toronto area.
As a huge Elvis fan himself, Thane Dunn has worked hard to make his portrayal of his hero as realistic as possible. North Beach Leather of California, clothier to the Stars founder, Bill Morgan, who dressed Elvis and iconic rock stars, including Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janice Joplin, was so impressed with Thane Dunn's tribute that he recently named a coat – one that was originally made for Elvis, after Thane.
Dunn, who has toured throughout North America, is also endorsed by The Hank Snow Museum (Snow introduced Elvis to the Colonel and co-managed Elvis for six months); and most recently Mark Critch of CBC-TV's award-winning "This Hour has 22 Minutes” and a huge Elvis fan said, “Thane Dunn offers not only the best tribute show I’ve seen, but one of the best concert experiences going.”
The lucky winner of “Elvis’ Actual Autograph” that night at Thane Dunn’s Extravaganza was our friend, Patricia Tish Hennig-Nese. The young fan in the second photo, who was lost in the crowd of fans vying for a scarf, was delighted to be called to the stage to receive a special ring from Thane.
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