It’s the King’
lasting legacy

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Even an avowed Elvis Presley worshiper like Rockin’ Ron Cade is surprised that the late undisputed "King of Rock ‘n’ Roll" remains as popular as ever.
"It’s amazing," he said. "Thirty years in death and he’s still very topical and relevant. People still love him, and will for years to come. They still want more of him."
In Philadelphia, Cade is the man to see for all things Elvis.
The veteran disc jockey has hosted the Elvis & Friends radio show for more than 29 years. The show, which has been on various stations, began on Feb. 3, 1978 with the playing of Hound Dog. The debut came a few months after Elvis died on Aug. 16, 1977 at his Graceland mansion in Memphis.
Today, the show can be heard Sundays from 7 to 10 a.m. on WOGL (98.1 FM) and is simulcast on oldies stations in Chicago and Lansing, Mich. It’s Philadelphia radio’s No. 1 music show on Sunday mornings, and the host is grateful to listeners for keeping him on the air for so long in the uncertain business of radio.
Cade also works four overnight on-air shifts on WOGL during the week, and he plays the Elvis 3 at 3, a three-song set at 3 a.m. to keep the King’s night-owl fans happy.
He also sells Elvis merchandise online and produces tribute concerts. Last Friday, a concert at Cannstatter’s sold out.
The next concert is set for Friday, Aug. 17, at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel in Langhorne.
The evening will include two sets by Lisa Lyman, who performs a salute to Patsy Cline and hits from the 1960s and ’70s. Two Elvis tribute artists will also entertain.
Frank Fierle will don his black leather jumpsuit to recreate Elvis’ 1968 comeback special on TV, and Sammy J will portray the King as he was in the 1970s.
They’ll do all the hits, like Suspicious Minds and Burning Love, plus An American Trilogy and I’ll Remember You, songs that Elvis sang during his Aloha From Hawaii concert in 1973, which was broadcast live all over the world and has since become a particular fan favorite on the radio show.
"That’s a lot of entertainment packed into one night," Cade said of the Aug. 17 show in Langhorne.
Fans also will get to view memorabilia, buy merchandise and enter a raffle and 50-50 drawing.
Cade likes the events to be fun and affordable. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $25 for reserved seats, with a cash bar and food for sale.
Fans come from far and wide, Cade said, and represent all age groups.
"They love Elvis and the type of entertainment from that era," he said.
Cade thinks Elvis, who would be 72 today, became popular because people saw a young guy who grew up poor but used his talents to become a star. Once he made it, he was generous to his parents as well as acquaintances and even strangers, frequently giving away money and cars.
"People love a rags-to-riches story," Cade said. "He started in a one-room shack in Tupelo, Miss., and he followed that dream. He was rock ‘n’ roll’s first superstar. He didn’t invent it, but he exploded on the scene."
Elvis also went on to make 33 movies. He married, had a daughter and settled at Graceland, a 14-acre estate. He had some ups and downs in his career, but he was able to reinvent himself in the late 1960s thanks to an NBC Christmas special that led to standing-room-only gigs in Las Vegas. He began to tour again regularly, performing for the last time in Philadelphia at the Spectrum on May 28, 1977.
Less than three months later, he was dead at age 42, the victim of an enlarged heart and an addiction to prescription drugs.
Since then, tribute artists — some very good, others awful — have been trying to imitate Elvis.
Cade acknowledges that nobody can sing and act exactly like Elvis, but he thinks fans will like the two impersonators who will be performing later this month at the Sheraton. They have the "look" — hair, sideburns, voice, movement and clothing, among other stylish touches.
"I’m very particular who I put in that position to recreate Elvis," Cade said. "Frank and Sammy are good. They’re sincere. They’re very much into Elvis."
Besides the local tribute, Elvis will be remembered nationally in many ways. The TV Land network will air movies, television specials and concerts in August.
Graceland will be packed with the music superstar’s fans later this month, when Aug. 11-19 is celebrated as "Elvis Week" in Memphis.
The sprawling estate has been a popular tourist attraction since the entertainer’s ex-wife, Priscilla, opened the gates to the public in 1982. Memphis is expecting to at least match the 75,000 fans who flocked to the city for the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ death in 2002.
Fans can stay at the Heartbreak Hotel, get married at Graceland or pay tribute at Elvis' burial site on the estate.
Scheduled events include an American Idol-styled competition to choose the best Elvis tribute artist and a screening of Viva Las Vegas, hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr., on the Graceland lawn.
Cade, who has been to Graceland dozens of times, promises to keep playing the King’s music for his Philadelphia fans.
"As long as I’m around and on the airwaves," he said, "Elvis will always be in the building." ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com

Tribute to the King . . .

The Elvis & Friends Tribute Concert will take place on Friday, Aug. 17, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Sheraton Bucks County Hotel, 400 Oxford Valley Road, in Langhorne.
Doors open at 7 p.m. The dress is casual.
Tickets are $20 for general admission or $25 for reserved tables of 10.
Send a check or money order to Memphis Memories Productions, P.O. Box 1644, Levittown, PA 19058.
For more information, call 215-269-6949.