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Mark Lee Pringle makes music as Elvis tribute artist
Mark Lee Pringle makes music portraying King of Rock ’n’ roll
By LINDA M. LINONIS
GIRARD
Those watch- ing Mark Lee Pringle perform as Elvis Presley, circa 1954-58, will be “All Shook Up” as they enjoy more than music evoking the rock SSRqn’ roll icon. They take a trip back in time, too.
Pringle has researched everything Elvis from the start of the king’s career. He wears ’50s clothing that he finds at vintage shops and often adds his own touches. Pringle’s stage clothes reflect outfits worn by Presley, including a gold lame jacket he wore in 1957 and the famous “Blue Suede Shoes.”
“It takes a while to get it historically accurate,” he said of the more than 30 ensembles he has. “I am constantly watching old videos and studying his moves and speech patterns.”
That’s not all. His wife, Brenda, saw a guitar watch made especially for Elvis and found a reproduction. Pringle uses that
to enhance the Elvis look. “I also tell the same corny jokes Elvis told,” he said.
Pringle reinforces the young Elvis persona with jet-black hair and long sideburns. Because he often has three or four Elvis-related gigs a week, it’s easier to keep the look in his daily life. In between songs, Pringle shares some Elvis 101 history of the time with the audience — when cars were $500 and gas was 17 cents a gallon and “Money Honey” went further. He also uses guitars reminiscent of Elvis and equipment such as microphones from that time and “That’s All Right.”
Pringle has been an Elvis tribute artist for about 12 years. Previously, he transformed himself into George Harrison of The Beatles in several Fab Four tribute bands including Come Together. Before that, he was with the Wilt Brothers country band and Sideshow, a rock band. “There probably were 20 others,” he said.
The musician said an early memory was watching Elvis in “Jail House Rock” at a drive-in with his parents. “I was in the back seat in my PJs,” he recalled. “The seed was planted,” he recalled, noting his Mom bought him a Mickey Mouse guitar when he was 5 years old.
His family wasn’t musical, but Pringle expressed such an interest that he started guitar lessons at 5. Later, he attended Youngstown State University, where he studied classical guitar for two years. “I was playing in rock ’n’ roll bands, and the money was too good to pass up,” he said. That time provided him with valuable stage and on-the-road experience.
Pringle, like so many other young fans, remembers watching Elvis and The Beatles on “The Ed Sullivan Show.” “I grew up with that music,” he said. Elvis made a big impression because he “was so different,” Pringle said.
“Elvis morphed and changed,” Pringle said. “By the time of the ’70s, his voice was deep, almost operatic,” he said. “He was the ultimate performer ... and his manager had a hand in turning him into that.”
Pringle said he believes that Elvis endures as an icon because his music changed. In the ’50s, it was rock-abilly; in the ’60s, the movie-era and love songs; and the ’70s, the white jumpsuit era, country- and pop-oriented. “Graceland is the second most-visited historical home,” Pringle said, adding he usually visits about twice a year. Pringle plays shows in Memphis, Tenn., and has visited Sun Studio, where Elvis recorded. This year is the 60th anniversary of “That’s All Right Mama,” which Elvis recorded there.
Pringle performs seven to 12 Elvis shows a month. Also in the band are his wife on keyboard; son, Scott, on drums; and Bill Lewis on stand-up bass. Along with shows, Pringle does what he calls “Elvis-grams,” making an appearance at a birthday or anniversary party to sing a few tunes.
Pringle cited a quote from Elvis that gives insight into him as a person. Pringle said people often called Elvis “the king” but Elvis pointed out that “Jesus is king, and I’m only an entertainer.” “I think that shows he had a down-to-earth approach,” Pringle said.
Pringle said his “day job” is as a tai chi instructor; he’s worked at YSU for the last 15 years in that capacity. “It keeps me in shape,” he said. The meditation in motion brings “Peace in the Valley” to practitioners.
He also plays the bagpipes and was taught by the late Bob Shand of the Gordon Highlanders. He wears a kilt for bagpiping programs; “Amazing Grace” is a favorite at funerals.
Pringle said he’s not sure when his Elvis will leave the building for the last time ... maybe in a “Blue Moon.”
“As long as I can shake my leg and curl my lip,” he said, he’ll continue to be Elvis ... uh-huh-huh.