If Elvis Presley is gazing down upon us from the pearly gates of heaven, one would imagine he'd be pretty delighted with the enthusiasm with which we continue to honour him here on Earth. Take Elvis Week, for example, the annual seven-day festival during which his most devoted fans and impersonators flock to Memphis, Tennessee, like pilgrims to Mecca, to pay tribute to their King. It’s an extraordinary and joyous celebration, as photographer Erin Feinberg’s recent project King For A Day aptly demonstrates. “They come from all walks of life, and vary in age, gender, ethnicity, shape and size,” Feinberg explains of the project. “Some are part-time impersonators with day jobs, and others earn a living as full-time tribute artists.”
Duly enamoured with the diversity and enthusiasm of the hordes of visitors during this hallowed week, Feinberg decided to photograph them. From Latino Presley in his most pared-back ensemble, to an elaborately braided native American-style take on his iconic jumpsuit, and with vertiginous quiffs gelled, flopped and sprayed, her series makes for a reaffirming and impassioned celebration of the man himself. More importantly, though, it paints a contemporary portrait of fandom, and of the myriad and unqiue ways this strange phenomenon manifests itself, through a collection of 100 dedicated figures. With supporters like these, one might argue that it was his contribution to celebrity culture, as much as his sprawling catalogue of rock and roll hits, that Presley will be remembered for. God save the King!
Happy Monday! #AnOtherHappyMonday
Erin Feinberg: King For a Day is available to purchase at Kehrer Verlag Heidelberg Berlin.
