Connolly’s Elvis performance rocks the joint at Bally’s

Joe Delaney

Friday, Oct. 15, 1999 | 9:03 a.m.

Boston-born Steve Connolly's "Love Him Tender," a well-conceived, excellently performed tribute to Elvis Presley, started with good attendance on Oct. 7, doing 2 p.m. performances, Thursdays through Mondays, in Bally's Jubilee Room, and has been building solidly since.

Connolly's appearance is that of the early, less portly Elvis. The voice is good, and Connolly has captured the Presley sound without duplicating it. He has the athleticism and all the moves in a very physical approach to his subject. The audience seemed to respond as though they were seeing the original. Females outnumbered males about two to one.

Collin Foster served as narrator-emcee and opened the show as a good warm-up should. Connolly was greeted warmly; he has charisma and a good sense of humor. His approach to the show and its chronological construction sets it apart. "Trouble" and "Guitar Man" set the mood for what was to follow.

The second segment, "1950s TV," had a costume change that included his wearing blue suede shoes for "Blue Suede Shoes," "Don't Be Cruel" and "Hound Dog." "Movie Songs" were next, including "Jailhouse Rock," "Return To Sender" and "Viva Las Vegas."

Collin Foster returned to set the scene for Elvis' debut at the International, now the Las Vegas Hilton, in the late 1960s. Connolly, in a black leather outfit, sang "Heartbreak Hotel," "All Shook Up" and "Love Me Tender" in a strong segment.

What followed was even stronger, featuring Connolly on guitar, a good player, backed by his band, called Blue Suede Shoes, as they rocked through "That's All Right, Mama," "Baby, What Do You Want Me to Do," "Trying to Get to You," "Baby, Let's Play House" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight."

The topper was "Millennium Y2King," featuring Elvis, if he were alive today, as he might have covered Queen's "We Will Rock You," The Offspring's "Pretty Fly for a White Guy," with Connolly/Elvis adding a drum solo, plus a Connolly original, "No, I Don't Believe in Love."

"Suspicious Minds" was the show closer with full intros and a standing ovation that included the men as well. The performance seemed much shorter than its actual 80 minutes, a high compliment.

Credits for Blue Suede Shoes, the band: musical director/guitarist Jerry Lopez; Mike Dowe, piano; Dave Richardson, keyboards; Greg Smith, guitar; Pete Sturnberg, bass; and Eddy Garcia, drums. The vocal group, called Sweet Generation, consists of Shonica, Robyn St. Romain and in-demand Genine Marie, featured with Wayne Newton as well.

With the recent auction of Presley belongings at the MGM Grand, there seems to be a resurgence of interest in Elvis. The audience at the show caught was a good cross section, the right demographics, sufficient numbers, great response, auguring well for the success of this engagement.