By Debbie Cohen
Gregg Peters, an Elvis Presley tribute performer, recently visited Pat’s Sports Bar in Middle Village to rock the house with Elvis golden oldies.
Peters has frequented several Queens locations in Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Howard Beach, Sunnyside and Astoria. Miss Marie, Peters’ mother who performs with him, sang a few Supremes and Connie Francis oldies.
But this performance was special because it was Miss Marie’s 77th birthday and she wanted to spend it with her fans.
Peters has been performing for 31 years and jokes he has been Elvis more times than Elvis has been Elvis. His 19-year old son, Lamar, also performs with him belting out tunes along with his other son, J.J. Burton, 22, who plays the guitar. Miss Marie also performs at every show, so this is a family affair. The group tours Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
Some of the Elvis show openers were “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog” and “Guitar Man.” An Elvis duet with Peters and Miss Marie was performed when they sang the popular Elvis hit “Wise Men.”
Fans stood up to dance and shout. Loyal fans Herb and Diane Hollander have been attending Peters’ shows for the past 17 years.
“It seems we have known Peters and his family for such a long time now and he has brought nothing but great entertainment to the tri-state area every weekend,” said Diane Hollander. “He is one of the most original tribute performers of the legendary Elvis Presley.”
At most of Peters’ shows a charitable collection is taken. This time it was for the Juvenile Diabetes Association. Other times donations have been collected for the Red Cross and the St. Jude’s foundation. Raffles for a 50-50 are also done at every show, with half given to a charitable organization.
Some of everyone’s favorite Elvis tunes at Pat’s Sports Bar were “My Boy,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “My Way,” “Don’t Be Cruel” and Elvis’ 1960s solid-gold tearjerker “Mama Loved the Roses,” which Elvis dedicated to his mother.
Miss Marie belted out “You Belong to Me” by the Supremes and “Love, This is My Song” by Petula Clark and written by Charlie Chaplin.
Peters reminded his fans that Elvis died 32 years ago as of Aug. 16 and that we should never forget his talent and impact on the music industry. So in honor of Elvis Peters sang “I’ll Remember You” by Elvis and “Still” written by Lionel Ritchie and performed by Englebert Humperdinck.
Before Elvis left the building, Peters sang the Elvis favorite “Shake, Rattle and Roll” and “Gentle on My Mind” by Glen Campbell.
On Oct. 17 at 8 p.m., Peters and his family will be performing at the Crown Plaza-Belle Aire Theatre in East Elmhurst. The show is free and only donations for charities such as the Red Cross and St. Jude’s are requested.
For more information, call 212-561-7354.
