POP/ROCK - April 10, 1989

About 1,600 people gathered in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday to hear a reunion concert of Elvis Presley’s backup band and to be entertained by a Swiss Elvis impersonator who regaled the crowd with old favorites like “Blue Suede Shoes” and “Love Me Tender.” It was billed as the first public concert of Elvis’ band since his death in 1977. “All of us being together again, that made it fun, that made it worthwhile,” said bass singer J. D. Sumner. “It was a good show. But it wasn’t Elvis.” The crowd seemed to agree. People in the audience gave Elvis impersonator Steve Payntor, 29--who wore 2-inch sideburns, slicked-back hair and a white suit with studded belt--good marks for effort but said the band was the main attraction. “His outfit was good, his voice was not bad, but the most interesting was the musicians,” said concert-goer Olivier Droz, 26, according to wire reports. The 47-piece band, including horn and string sections, gave a two-hour concert before a largely middle-aged crowd, some draped in Confederate flags. The concert was intended as a revival of Presley’s music from the period after 1969, when he often performed in Las Vegas. Four more concerts are scheduled in Switzerland.