Retro rock and roll takes over Memorial Park

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What’s hotter than an Elvis show in Vegas? Award-winning Ron Moore performing Songs in the Key of Elvis during a record high temperature at Memorial Park Band shell July 21.

Oshawa residents of all ages came to watch as the Elvis tribute artist entertained with the crowd with jokes, stories and even changing the lyrics of Presley’s Fun in Acapulco to “I love you, Oshawa.”
The crowd reacted happily to his tribute performance. A couple even stood up in the middle of the gathering and slow danced to I Can’t Help Falling in Love.

Moore’s wife, Lois, coordinated the pre-recorded backing tracks while Moore showcased his indistinguishable vocal resemblance to the late King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Moore also has a band in Canada and one in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
His tribute career started at the Collingwood Elvis Festival in 2003, where his wife challenged him to perform. The crowd of 20,000 gave a positive reaction and Moore says, “It just grew from there.”
Recently, Moore was featured in The Church of Elvis, a Canadian documentary about Elvis’ spiritual quest while following Moore and his wife to Las Vegas. Of the 7,500 Elvis impersonators, Moore says he is grateful to have been selected to star in the TV special. Paying respect to Elvis’ spiritual side, Moore performs gospel music live and on record, as heard on his two released tribute albums, his gospel outing In the Garden and Love Songs in the Key of Elvis.

Moore dons Elvis’ signature style, sings the King’s songs and has even dined on the singer’s favourite meal – a deep fried peanut butter and banana sandwich – at an Elvis festival in the States. However, he considers himself a tribute artist, not an impersonator. “I give him tribute,” he says. “Impersonators look the role, I’m not six foot one.”
Moore’s popularity hasn’t prevented him from sharing smaller performances in Oshawa, including playing senior centres, nightclubs and churches.
During the tour forThe Church of Elvis, Moore was asked to stay in Vegas for a regular show, but the self-declared “Toronto boy”, who now resides in Oshawa, preferred to keep looking for a local full-time gig.
Story by Matthew McPhee. Ron Moore image by Barb K at Unicorn Photography