IMPERSONATOR TO THROW OPEN DOORS TO MELODYLAND - VALLEY'S OWN SHRINE.Byline: Fred Shuster Daily News Staff Writer Elvis impersonator An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley, either as a hobby, a career in entertainment or occasionally for fun. Elvis impersonators can range in ethnic background, size and talent. Danny Uwnawich lives like the King and he wants you to see it. Today, the 20th anniversary of Presley's death, the soon-to-retire Uwnawich - known as Danny U. - will swing open the gates of Melodyland, his four-bedroom Georgian-style Northridge tribute to Graceland. He's inviting fans to mark the day Elvis died by visiting the 8,000-square-foot house he dubbed Melodyland when it was built five years ago. ``It's for people who've never seen Graceland,'' Uwnawich said Friday. ``It's out of respect for Elvis.'' After today's open house from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Uwnawich will perform a tribute to Elvis at 8:30 p.m. at the Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. Arts Plaza accompanied by a 16-piece orchestra. Tickets are available at the door or through Ticketmaster. ``This is a bigger anniversary for many people than the day JFK was assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. ,'' Uwnawich, 42, declared. ``And it's bigger than Elvis' birthday because he died just 20 years ago. People remember where they were exactly when they heard the news. Anyway, Elvis was bigger than Kennedy.'' Uwnawich built Melodyland, located on the corner of Parthenia Street and Zelzah Avenue, in 1992 for $1.5 million. The home, which boasts Corinthian columns at the entrance, front gates with a musical motif, a ballroom, trophy room, huge white marble bathroom, swimming pool and pond, underwent about $500,000 worth of repairs after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994 at 4:31 AM Pacific Standard Time in the city of Los Angeles, California. The earthquake had a "strong" moment magnitude of 6. . Today's open house is the first time in three years Uwnawich has invited the public inside. The Elvis impersonator, who sports jet-black hair, pork-chop sideburns side·burns pl.n. Growths of hair down the sides of a man's face in front of the ears, especially when worn with the rest of the beard shaved off. [Alteration of burnsides. and a Southern drawl drawl v. drawled, drawl·ing, drawls v.intr. To speak with lengthened or drawn-out vowels. v.tr. just like the King, launched his act as a teen-ager and met his idol in 1973 in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. where both entertainers were booked. Presley, who died at age 42 of heart failure on Aug. 16, 1977, at his Memphis home, visited the Valley often, according to rock 'n' roll rock 'n' roll: see rock music. historians. The King had his Cadillacs customized at Barris Kustom Auto in North Hollywood and shopped at the now-defunct Nudie's Rodeo Tailors on Lankershim Boulevard for specially designed rhinestone-covered stage wear. Uwnawich, who has spent nearly 30 years impersonating the '70s Elvis, plans to retire this year. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: Danny Uwnawich, an Elvis impersonator for nearly 30 years, is inviting the public to visit Melodyland today. David Sprague/Daily News |
|
||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion