From “Teddy Bear” to “Jailhouse Rock,” the sounds of Elvis rang through the Milford Senior Center June 24.
That day, the Milford Senior Center hosted its monthly birthday dinner—a celebration that brings seniors together and performers to the center.
The center welcomed Joseph Hall, a world-class Elvis Presley tribute artist who held nothing back as he captivated his audience. Hall performed for over an hour, singing Elvis’ classic hits and charming the crowd as he gave out scarves throughout the show and stuffed bears while singing “Teddy Bear.” Audience members clapped to the beat, sang along, and danced to their favorite songs—an overall smash hit at the center.
The show was particularly special to sisters Nancy Hammond and Sandy Shaw, who attended one of Elvis’ final Nebraska concerts in Omaha in 1974 at the now-demolished Omaha Civic Auditorium. Nancy and Sandy, along with their older sister Janice, had grown up as fans of Elvis. Their parents—“the original party animals” according to Hammond—had loved his music and would dance every chance they could. With songs blasting from the stereos, the household was almost in itself a tribute to the King of Rock n’ Roll.
“It was such a once-in-a-lifetime thing [to see him in concert],” Hammond said. “To be able to get a ticket to even see him was amazing.”
At the concert, the sisters tussled for the binoculars they brought, even though they had been close enough to not really need them. In fact, the three sisters had been so close to the stage that Janice nearly caught one of Elvis’ scarves that he had thrown into the crowd. And while they couldn’t help but notice the occasional fan fainting or throwing their undergarments on stage, Hammond and Shaw say that their eyes had been glued to the stage, even though Elvis had passed his prime by that point.
“He was just electrifying,” Hammond said. “He was one of those people that when you walk in a room, you just feel the air change.”
Having experienced the King of Rock n’ Roll live, Hammond and Shaw agreed that Hall lives up to his name and the legacy of Elvis.
“He’s really studied him,” Shaw said, “and you can tell.”
“Yeah,” Hammond agreed. “Joseph Hall really does a good job because he doesn’t make [Elvis] into a caricature. He really does honor him and respect his music and performance.”
From movements and voice to mere facial expressions, Hall has all but mastered the essence of Elvis according to the sisters. They were especially impressed by his likeness considering the tribute artist was born seven years after Elvis’ death. Hall began performing as a tribute artist in 2006 and, since then, has won multiple awards as an Elvis tribute artist and performed all over the world. Shaw herself has seen Hall twice before—once with his live band at the VFW and once at a church for a gospel-themed show.
Overall, the birthday performance was spectacular for the two sisters and really brought them back to that 1974 concert. Hammond said “Jailhouse Rock,” her favorite song both at the original concert and the birthday dinner, also brought her back to her parents and their endless love of dancing. Hammond appreciates how Hall was able to instill a similar joy for dancing in the audience.
“That he can come into a senior center and still get people moving,” Hammond said, “that’s a good performer.”
Nearly fifty years after his passing, it seems the spirit of Elvis is alive and well in Joseph Hall and the love for the musical legend and a once-in-a-lifetime concert are just as strong in the hearts of these sisters.
