As Elvis tribute act Ben Portsmouth brings his uncanny similarities to The King to Aberdeen and Inverness, Laura Redpath finds out how his hugely successful career began
DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BECOME AN ELVIS TRIBUTE ACT?
I always thought I’d become a musician of some sort. My dad had a guitar lying around the house, so I picked up that and learned the chords. It just developed from there. I then became a session guitar player and it went on from there.
HOW DID YOUR CAREER EVOLVE INTO WHAT IT IS TODAY?
When I was young, my dad would play his songs in the car and I took a liking to them. I then learned the songs on guitar and I was doing that at home for pleasure. Then, when I was working as a session guitar player, I got a bit fed up of people in the music industry. I remember one day waiting for an artist I was playing for to turn up and I was playing Elvis and thought: “You know what, I much prefer playing Elvis.” I got a band together about 10 years ago and I haven’t looked back since.
AT WHAT POINT IN THE SHOW DO YOU FEEL MOST LIKE ELVIS? IS IT WHEN YOU PUT ON THE WIG, OR PERHAPS IT’S WHEN YOU START SINGING?
I suppose it’s in the second half of my show that I feel most like him. The first half is a good look at his career and what happened in his life leading up to the 70s. It has the pinnacle moments of his life, from his first record to the movie years, and then the second half focuses on the 70s. I really like this half of the show and I feel it suits me more.
HOW DID YOU TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE LIKE ELVIS ON STAGE?
I watched the films and learned how to tweak my voice. You just have to go for it, really, as you don’t want it looking too rehearsed. It has to be natural.
YOU’VE REALLY MADE A NAME FOR YOURSELF AS A FANTASTIC TRIBUTE ACT. DID YOU EXPECT TO BECOME SO SUCCESSFUL?
No. I never thought it would get to this sort of level. But you can take the name Elvis anywhere. I’ve travelled all over the world, from New Zealand to California and Aberdeen.
DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE ELVIS SONG?
American Trilogy is a good one.
IF YOU COULD BE A TRIBUTE ACT FOR ANY OTHER GREAT
SINGER, WHO WOULD IT BE?
Stevie Wonder, but there’s a bit of a problem with that (he said, jokingly). It’s difficult to choose. Andy Williams is pretty good.
THERE ARE MANY REMIXES FEATURING ORIGINAL ELVIS SONGS CREEPING INTO THE CHARTS AND ONLINE STREAMING SITES. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THEM?
Some are pretty good. It’s not a bad thing, as it’s regurgitating what was done previously and capturing new fans and people who may not have heard much about him. I think it’s a good thing, as long as it’s done well.
FINALLY, WHAT CAN WE EXPECT WHEN YOU PLAY INVERNESS ON SATURDAY AND ABERDEEN ON SUNDAY?
You’ll get a really good look at his career and what happened in his life. I hope people walk away happy and have a good night.
Catch Ben Portsmouth as Elvis at Eden Court, Inverness, on Saturday, February 13, and The Music Hall, Aberdeen, on Sunday, February 14, both from 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Eden Court box office on 01463 234234 or visit www.eden-court.co.uk, and Aberdeen Box Office, by phone on 01224 641122 or online at www.aberdeenperformingarts.com