Elvis Presley may have been dead for the past 40 years, but that did not stop organizers from holding a UK tour that features his iconic voice, which will be backed up by the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.
The UK tour follows the warm reception of Presley’s album If I Can Dream by fans worldwide, making it the second-biggest album released last year. It also marks the King of Rock and Roll’s record-tying 12th UK number one album.
The tour will not feature a hologram type of performance, but instead use Presley’s voice while the orchestra plays a new arrangement to his most popular songs.
Elvis in concert – live on screen w/ @rpoonline & appearance by @Cilla_Presley! Learn more: https://t.co/gWJO1VWM1Q pic.twitter.com/M2p9lPpvpk
— Elvis Presley (@ElvisPresley) March 14, 2016
The tour will kick off on November 17 later this year at the Glasgow SSE Hydro, and move to Leeds First Direct Arena the following day. Other shows of the tour will be held at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, the Birmingham Genting Arena, the London O2 Arena, and the Manchester Arena. The tour will end on November 24.
Elvis’ former wife, Priscilla Presley, will also make an appearance at some of the shows.
“What an honor for me to present to you songs from what has become a very prestigious and beloved album with a full symphony orchestra,” she said about the UK tour.
Priscilla Presley will make a special appearance on Elvis Presley’s tour https://t.co/8WgwweiIHP pic.twitter.com/r4jvSHHiei
— Yahoo Celebrity UK (@YahooCelebUK) March 15, 2016
Unfortunately, the love for Elvis has not been felt lately in Las Vegas, where an Elvis-themed attraction closed in February for not getting too many visits.
“Graceland Presents Elvis” was a museum exhibit about the legendary singer, which was located at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.
Graceland presents ELVIS: THE EXHIBITION at Westgate Las Vegas! https://t.co/4IepqiUeHf pic.twitter.com/NEJVFN8niv
— Westgate Las Vegas (@Westgate_LV) October 1, 2015
Westgate Las Vegas closes ‘Graceland Presents: Elvis the Exhibition’ https://t.co/MCNr1b2jrk
— Review-Journal Blogs (@RJblogs) February 28, 2016
“Vegas really is, ironically, a challenging market for Elvis,” according to Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, who loaned hundreds of artifacts to put in the museum.
At the peak of his career, Elvis Presley paved the way for Las Vegas to become an entertainment capital at that time.