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EVER SINCE MICHAEL O'Brien was a kid he wanted to sing and dance. As early as he was eight years old, he would stand in front of the television set and dance along with the people on the little screen. The kid shows were not for him and, with a click of the remote, he sought out the old movies with Fred Astaire, James Cagney and Gene Kelly. The living room was his stage.
When Judy Garland died, his mother practically went into mourning. Her only comfort was to go to the store, taking Michael with her, to buy a videotape of a Judy Garland movie. In time she had a full library of tapes on the same shelves as the books of her favorite star.
They didn't have money for such luxuries but occasionally she agreed to buy a tape for Michael of his favorite movies.
With each purchase, the films were played, over and over, until Michael learned every song, every movement of every dance. He learned that he could make his mother happy by bursting out in a song and dance, very impromptu, wherever they were at the moment. She watched him, hearing the music, always with a smile on her face.
Michael's dancing and singing did not make his father happy, however. He often became angry. "Mike, it's about time you learned that you can't get anywhere on a song and a dance. If you spent as much time on your books as you do wasting it in watching those tapes, you might learn something and turn out to be someone when you grow up!" Fortunately for Michael and his mother, his father worked hard long hours to support the family and was out of the house most of the day.
His mother encouraged her son. His sister, Jeanne, was a good student and her father's words laid heavy on her and she also did not accept Michael's singing and dancing as a talent. She often warned him that she would tell her father that Michael wasn't spending his time wisely. But she never did.
* * *
One evening they began watching the Ed Sullivan Show on television. It became a family event enjoyed by the entire family. Michael's interest waned through most of the show but he found enjoyment in mimicking Sullivan, which only provoked his father and brought laughter from his mother and sister.
Two shows impressed Michael. One when Sullivan introduced Elvis Presley and the other show that brought The Beatles to the United States. Michael's interest in Rock and Roll began with the Ed Sullivan Show.
Soon his shopping trips to the video store became an adventure. He could not afford to buy all the videotapes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and the other artists of Rock and Roll but the rental department had many of them on their shelves.
He copied the tapes and learned to sing every song. The living room became his stage as Jeanne became his favorite audience. They loved Rock and Roll. Often she would bring in her friends to watch his performance and Michael enjoyed singing and dancing before his new fans.
* * *
On his 12th birthday, his father reluctantly allowed the gift of a guitar for his son. He admitted, "Ok, I'll consent to a guitar…but no drums." Michael was pleased however he really preferred to have a set of drums to replace the box he drummed on from time to time. Before his mother could arrange to give him lessons, he learned the guitar by reading a book.
* * *
"There's a lady at the door, Mom. She wants to talk to you." His mother came to the door wiping her hands in a dishtowel.
"Hello, I'm going from house to house talking to mothers about their children who might like to learn how to tap dance like those on the Ed Sullivan Show." She said the magic words…and Michael was signed up for the classes.
His father laughed. "Better he learned how to keep the plates spinning or play the accordion. That would get him on the show…for all the good that would do him."
The dancing classes began the following week at the little studio with a big mirror on one wall. At first Michael resisted. He was the only boy in the class. But the teacher saw his talent as he shuffled and stepped, his feet tapping to the music. He was eager to show her that he able to do the tap steps of Gene Kelly and the other tap dancers in his old movies.
He asked his teacher, "I have some great videos of Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly and others dancing and singing. I know the songs and the dances. Would you like to see me do them sometime?"
She smiled. He was just a beginner. "Give me a preview now, Michael."
"Ok…but I want to tell you that I do Rock and Roll better." He ran to the mirrored wall; then turned to face her. "Can you play the piano to I'm Singing in the Rain?"
She played a few notes and smiled. "Is this in your key?"
"Oh, yeah…I guess."
"One of my favorite songs…so let's get started." While she played she watched him and marveled over his talent. She knew she had her star for the recital. It was going to be a great recital! Next year she would have so many students in her classes there would be a waiting list.
And, that's what happened.
* * *
The county had a Fair that summer. Michael was 13 years old, the age requirement to enter the Buddy Holly contest. He spent several days watching Holly on the videos and practicing in front of the mirror in the hall at home until he had all the right moves to enter the contest. At the Fair he bought a pair of horn-rim glasses, the kind that Buddy Holly wore. He didn't win the contest but, in the audience, a man watched him intently.
As Michael joined his parents he approached them, introducing himself, "I saw your son just now doing a Buddy Holly. I'm a scout for a company who handles potential Rock and Roll stars and I would like to sign him for an audition."
The O'Brien family stood as if they were stunned and couldn't speak. It was Michael who spoke next. "Where would I have to go for it?"
"To Nashville…and we pay yours and your mother's flight and hotel rooms."
Michael's mother asked, "When?" And the date was set.
* * *
It was winter when the flight brought them to Nashville. Christmas lights were hung throughout the city and cycles of ice seeped between the layers of rocks bordering the freeway. They were astonished to see how green everything was, in spite of the cold and snow, as the car passed by various neighborhoods on their way to the hotel. Once they arrived they were pleased to begin unpacking in a beautiful suite of rooms provided for them.
She looked at her son proudly. Time had passed swiftly as he grew to be a man. She smiled at the young man he became; tall, intelligent and talented with a bright smile that lit up his entire face. He had already taken the remote to turn on the television set. "Let's see what's going on in Nashville."
"There's a little stream flowing behind the hotel I can see from the window. I think I would rather take a walk."
"Wait up and I'll go with you." He recalled his father's request that he should stay with her. "We can watch television later."
They found a walkway along the steam and followed it. The air was still, filtering through the dense shrubbery and trees, still laden with leaves. They walked until they came upon a building snuggled against the shoreline. A small sign on the building read, Nashville Recording Studio. A blend of Country-Rock was coming from the interior. They stopped to listen. The sound of the guitar riffs held Michael quietly, as he stood riveted to the earth, listening.
On their return to the hotel he took his guitar and practiced what he heard, over and over again. Then, as he began applying the technique to the songs, he realized that his mother was waiting to go to the dining room for dinner.
Dinner was a wonderful feast of some of the best seafood he had ever tasted but he was anxious to return to the suite to play his guitar. As they passed the Lounge they heard the music and harmonies of the Beatles and stopped to listen to the band. The band was dressed in English-cut clothes and some wore Beetle-styled wigs. Michael had never seen a Tribute Band before and their appearance and vocals fascinated him. An hour passed before he could tear himself away from this amazing Beatle's band.
* * *
The audition was successful however Michael decided he did not want to go on the road to play his guitar and sing at that time. The offer was inviting but he knew he had much more to learn…and he had other plans.
They remained in town for a few more days as they spent the nights following the music of Nashville. Immediately upon their arriving home he began organizing a Beatles Tribute Band. With a little bit of work he could be Paul McCartney in the band.
* * *
The band took off and started running into success, booked every weekend for months in advance. Jeanne and her friends began a Fan Club.
On a break he walked among the tables talking to the customers, listening with pleasure to their praise. One made a remark heard as he mounted the stage. "Hey! McCartney…you look more like Elvis!"
The words stuck to him and he wondered. A few days passed during which he applied a set of fake sideburns on his face and watched several videos of the celebrity. As the musicians met for rehearsals, he asked, "How would you guys like to be The Jordanaires…?"
"We're booked as the Beatles and we're doing great. Why change anything when it isn't broke?"
"We just bought new costumes…," added the John Lennon guitar player.
"I know all that," Michael replied. "But I would like to have a go at it and work up an act. Let's give a go…as the Beatles would say."
"No wigs or costumes…I'm willing." The former Beatles Ringo Starr tribute took his place behind the drums, hit the cymbals with a stick. "Let's give it a go!"
* * *
The Elvis Show was a winner from the start, playing in theaters and showrooms all over the United States, Europe, the Caribbean and such countries as Japan, Australia and China. Michael reigned as King of the Elvis celebrity impersonators, grew his own sideburns and had the jumpsuits and leathers tailor-made.
During an interview a reporter asked, "As the King of Elvis impersonators, how do you feel about losing your own identity?"
"I haven't lost my identity. I know who I am."
"…But, night after night you perform as someone other than who you are."
"Look! The way I see it is that I'm an actor. Just one of the many who look and sing like the greatest of all rock and roll performers, Elvis Presley. I'm just lucky I guess." He looked at her with those beautiful blue eyes and smiled with the handsome look of the young Elvis. "Gotta go…"
His Jordanaires were waiting in the limo.
The reporter heard the band remark as they packed their instruments…
"Elvis, the King, has just left the room…" 
Bea Fogelman is the Director of the Entertainment Network and a published author. She is considered an authority of the art of celebrity impersonation.
www.BeaFogelman.com • www.Entertainment-Network.info.
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