Paying Homage to the King on His Birthday

Maybe if his eyes weren’t so blue, his hair so black and his teeth so white, maybe if his lip didn’t have that sexy curl, the legend of Elvis Presley would have long since passed, and Jan. 8 would come and go without pause for pompadours. But Elvis was the man, and that’s why today--for what would have been his 63rd birthday--two clubs on the Sunset Strip will be channeling the spirit of the King in all his posthumous glory.

The House of Blues is the site of the 12th annual Elvis Birthday Bash, an event that originated at Club Lingerie (once an Elvis hangout, see cover story). But it’s grown so much that it’s sold out the 1,200-capacity House of Blues for the past three years.

Just down the street, El Vez and Billy Wisdom are getting ready to rumble at Billboard Live, which is hosting a “competition” between “the Mexican Elvis” and Bowie impersonator Wisdom--remember, it’s Bowie’s birthday too. Causing less of a splash but eventful nevertheless, the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano has invited Hellbound Hayride, the Sinners, Mystery Train and Diablo 44 to perform at its own Elvis Birthday Bash.

By far the most ambitious party comes from promoters Art Fein and Ronnie Mack, who have gathered up 47 roots-rock acts to sing a Presley song or two at this year’s celebration at the House of Blues. Among them will be an unannounced performer of note, who generally wears a cowboy hat and has made appearances at several earlier bashes.

Fein, an originator of L.A.’s rockabilly scene whose resume includes writing, producing, managing and television programming, teamed up with Mack to coordinate this year’s party. Mack’s weekly “Barn Dance” at Jacks Sugar Shack in Hollywood is the lifeblood of L.A.’s alternative country scene, and many “Barn Dance” regulars will be on hand tonight.

Among the artists scheduled to perform are Neil Mooney, James Intveld, Hot Rod Lincoln, Rosie Flores, Levi Dexter, the Blue Hawaiians and Russell Scott. Singer Wanda Jackson lends the show some serious credibility by virtue of the fact she actually dated the King--somehow, that adds up to one less degree of celestial separation to Presley.

“I’ve had more than one person tell me the only reason they live in L.A. is to go to these Elvis shows every year,” says Fein, who has produced all 12 events. “The vibes are so good, it’s just such good fun. It’s a very happy event.”

It also aims to reach deeper into Presley’s repertoire, with the artists trying to avoid the obvious hits for a trip into more obscure terrain.

“We are very united in our affection for his music,” Fein says. “We are having fun with him, and not making fun of him. . . . No one’s doing ‘fat Elvis’ jokes.”

For the fans who voted for the portly Elvis stamp, there’s the campy showcase at Billboard Live, where the King’s kitsch factor will be paraded like a banner of bad taste.

El Vez, whose real name is Robert Lopez, was hanging out with pal Craig Roose at the Silver Lake neighborhood bar Akbar (whose owner Andy Minzes is co-sponsoring the event with promoter Tony Harris), and he got to scheming. He’d always wanted to combine Presley’s and Bowie’s birthdays into one big hootenanny.

Roose, whose alter ego Billy Wisdom was born 15 years ago and is a sendup of the cross-dressing hazy daze of Bowie, the New York Dolls, Iggy Pop and T. Rex--all of whom he covers in rare live performances with his band the Heeshees--agreed to collaborate.

Both performers’ last L.A. shows were big hits, with El Vez selling out the House of Blues and Wisdom filling LunaPark to capacity on Halloween, and tonight’s event has generated a rather significant street buzz. The artists will be competing against each other as they perform songs from both Bowie’s and Presley’s catalogs, with plans to also join each other onstage.

For his part, El Vez says he’s not even remotely nervous.

“He may dress like a butterfly but I sting like a bee,” says El Vez, referring to Wisdom’s outrageous costumes, which include a glittering overcoat that lights up like a Christmas tree.

“I’m going to open his pin~ata for the world to see,” counters Wisdom.

But regardless of who takes home the biggest applause, the winner will undoubtedly be the King--who despite the passing years, remains wanted, dead or alive.

BE THERE

12th annual Elvis Birthday Bash, House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 7:30 p.m. $15. (213) 848-5100.

El Vez vs. Billy Wisdom, Billboard Live, 9039 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, 9:45 p.m. $10. (310) 786-1712.

Elvis Birthday Bash, Coach House, 33157 Camino Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano, 8 p.m. $8. (714) 496-8927.