Clearance Giddens

Last updated
Clearance Giddens
Birth nameClearance Giddens
Also known asClarence Giddens, Black Elvis
Born Virginia, United States
Genres Rock
Gospel
Occupation(s)Painter, singer, Elvis impersonator
Instrument(s)Guitar
Years active1988 – present

Clearance Giddens is an African American Elvis impersonator from Melfa, Virginia, who has been billed as the "Black Elvis". He has appeared on The Arsenio Hall Show and the Geraldo Show , and in the film Honeymoon in Vegas . [1] [2] In the early 1990s, he also sang on stage in a duet with Jimmy Buffett singing "Jailhouse Rock". [3] He is listed in the book I Am Elvis: A Guide to Elvis Impersonators. [4] [5]

Contents

Personal background

Giddens is a house painter by trade and had worked as a painter for Crutchley Enterprises in Virginia for years. [6] [7] Some sources say he comes from Melfa, Virginia, but he actually grew up in Painter, Virginia which is a small town in Accomack County. [8] [9] He comes from a devoutly religious family. He grew up being raised by his parents, with his mother being an old fashioned type of God fearing Christian. His first guitar came from his mother. [10] After he left school and to help support his family, he found work in the local fields. [11]

When Giddens began his Elvis act, and there was opposition in his family, especially from his mother because of it being too worldly in her view. [12]

Career

During the course of his career, he has appeared on shows such as The Arsenio Hall Show, Hard Copy , Inside Edition , Entertainment Tonight , the Geraldo Show, and Howard Stern . [13]

Early years

His early influences are Elvis Presley, James Brown, Roy C, country and gospel music. [14] [15] As a child, he saw Presley on black & white television and with Presley moving and singing the way he did, Giddens couldn't believe what he saw. he had never seen a white guy move like that before. [16] [17] His mother was a strict Christian and Giddens recalled having to hide in the closet while listening to some of Presley's more racey lyrics. [18]

Before Giddens started his Elvis act, he was a member of a gospel group called the Gospel Specials who sang with artists such as Al Green and Solomon Burke. [19] He is also credited as guitarist as well lead vocalist on two tracks by a group called Gospel Expressions who released an album, Good Times Bad Times. [20] After the gospel group broke up, his girlfriend at the time who was an Elvis fan gave him some encouragement. She liked hearing Giddens sing "Love Me Tender". [21]

His Elvis impersonating career came about in 1988 when at a dinner, a friend suggested he try doing an Elvis act at a diner in Onancock. What came about as a result, was him turning into a kind of phenomenon. [22]

1990s

He started to get serious about it in the early 1990s and started out with a Philadelphia-based backing band called The Flamin' Caucasians. He started getting bookings in Virginia Beach and then an article about him in Spin Magazine brought him national attention. [23] In 1992, he appeared in the film Honeymoon in Vegas that starred James Caan, Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker. He played the part of Black Elvis. [24] Giddens was surprised with his rise to fame. [25] Like another African American Elvis impersonator Robert Washington, Giddens did quite well in appearances. He played the Elvis Impersonator circuit along the East Coast and made a living from it. [26] At one stage, his backup band was called The White Trash Band. [27] In June 1995, Giddens appeared at the Viva Elvis weekend. Giddens took to the stage, beginning his show with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On". [28]

Not long after Giddens's rise to fame he discovered he was about to be a father again and was left with the choice of going out on the road or being a father so he chose the latter. [29]

Reaction

During the early 1990s when Giddens appeared on the Geraldo Show there were some mixed reactions. One member of the audience who happened to be black, verbally criticized Giddens for betraying his race by imitating a white entertainer. He said to Giddens that it was very disrespectful to them, meaning African Americans that he wasn't representing them by being someone he couldn't be. A white woman in the audience yelled out that Giddens has her vote and commended his performance and as a Black Elvis, she liked him. She also mentioned that Elvis dealt with a lot of black people. A white Elvis impersonator Russ Howe shook the hand of Giddens and said what he was doing was beautiful which was met by applause from the audience. [30]

2000s

On March 29, 2008, he was booked to appear at Quizzo Bowl IV, held at the Blue Horizon on 1314 North Broad Street, Philadelphia. [31]

In December, 2014, Giddens and backing group, billed Black Elvis and Snowflake appeared at a Christmas Party and Toy Drive at Little Italy, Nassawadox, Virginia. [32]

As of 2018, Giddens was making appearances at the Do Drop Inn restaurant and lounge in Franktown, Virginia. [33]

Recent activity

In late 2018, Giddens was one of a group of Elvis impersonators that were featured in Apple's Group Facetime Service commercial. [34] [35]

Discography

EPs and albums
TitleCatalogueYearNotes #
Jump, Shout, Scream1993 [36]
Can You Feel the Flavor?2009As Black Elvis [37]

Filmography

List
TitleRoleDirectorYearNotes #
Viva Elvis - Channel 4 1×75 1991 Elvis Special, presented by Jonathan Ross Himself1991 [38] [39]
Honeymoon in VegasBlack Elvis Andrew Bergman 1992 [40]
Homicide: Life on the Street [41]

Stage

List
TitleRoleDirectorYearNotes #
Seoul HouseDelivery driver1991 [42]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Presley</span> American singer and actor (1935–1977)

Elvis Aaron Presley, often referred to mononymously as Elvis, was an American singer, actor and Sergeant in the United States Army. Dubbed the "King of Rock and Roll", he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, led him to both great success and initial controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbreak Hotel</span> Song recorded by Elvis Presley

"Heartbreak Hotel" is a song recorded by American singer Elvis Presley. It was released as a single on January 27, 1956, Presley's first on his new record label RCA Victor. It was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, with credit being given also to Presley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann-Margret</span> Swedish actress, singer, and dancer (born 1941)

Ann-Margret Olsson is a Swedish-American actress, singer, and dancer. As an actress and singer, she is credited as Ann-Margret.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis impersonator</span> Musician who performs in the style of Elvis Presley

An Elvis impersonator is an entertainer who impersonates or copies the look and sound of American musician and singer Elvis Presley. Professional Elvis impersonators, commonly known as Elvis tribute artists (ETAs), work all over the world as entertainers, and such tribute acts remain in great demand due to the unique iconic status of Elvis. There are even several radio stations that exclusively feature Elvis impersonator material. Some of these impersonators go to Graceland on the anniversary of Presley's death to make their personal tribute to the artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sister Rosetta Tharpe</span> American gospel musician (1915–1973)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an American singer and guitarist. She gained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings, characterized by a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and electric guitar. She was the first great recording star of gospel music, and was among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences, later being referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll". She influenced early rock-and-roll musicians including Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Eric Clapton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Black</span> American bassist (1926–1965)

William Patton Black Jr. was an American musician and bandleader who is noted as one of the pioneers of rock and roll. He played in Elvis Presley's early trio. Black later formed Bill Black's Combo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jake Hess</span> Musical artist

Jake Hess was an American Grammy Award-winning southern gospel singer.

<i>Viva Las Vegas</i> 1964 film by George Sidney

Viva Las Vegas is a 1964 American musical film directed by George Sidney and starring Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret. The film is regarded by fans and film critics as one of Presley's best films, and it is noted for the on-screen chemistry between Presley and Ann-Margret. It also presents a strong set of ten musical song-and-dance scenes choreographed by David Winters and features his dancers. Viva Las Vegas was a hit at film theaters, as it was #14 on the Variety year end box office list of the top-grossing films of 1964.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cultural depictions of Elvis Presley</span>

Elvis Presley has inspired artistic and cultural works since he entered the national consciousness. From that point, interest in his personal and public life has never stopped. Some scholars have studied many aspects of his profound cultural influence. Billboard historian Joel Whitburn declared Presley the "#1 act of the Rock era".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Blackwood Brothers</span> American southern gospel quartet

The Blackwood Brothers are an American southern gospel quartet. Pioneers of the Christian music industry, they are 8-time Grammy Award winners in addition to winning 7 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. They are also members of the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. D. Sumner</span> Musical artist

John Daniel Sumner was an American gospel singer, songwriter, and music promoter noted for his bass voice, and his innovation in the Christian and Gospel music fields. Sumner sang in five quartets and was a member of the Blackwood Brothers during their 1950s heyday. Aside from his incredibly low bass voice, Sumner's business acumen helped promote Southern Gospel and move it into the mainstream of American culture and music during the 1950s and 1960s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Million Dollar Quartet</span> 1956 recording of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash performing together

"Million Dollar Quartet" is a recording of an impromptu jam session involving Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash made on December 4, 1956, at the Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee. An article about the session was published in the Memphis Press-Scimitar under the title "Million Dollar Quartet". The recording was first released in Europe in 1981 as The Million Dollar Quartet with 17 tracks. A few years later more tracks were discovered and released as The Complete Million Dollar Session. In 1990, the recordings were released in the United States as Elvis Presley: The Million Dollar Quartet. This session is considered a seminal moment in rock and roll.

<i>Honeymoon in Vegas</i> 1992 film by Andrew Bergman

Honeymoon in Vegas is a 1992 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Andrew Bergman and starring James Caan, Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">El Vez</span> Musical artist

Robert Alan Lopez, better known by his stage name El Vez, is an American singer-songwriter and musician, who performs and records original material and covers classic rock songs. Mixing the styles of Elvis Presley and many other American rock artists with his own Latin-American heritage and music, he is known for expressing revolutionary views through the satire and humor in his songs.

Elvis: The Concert is a concert tour started in 1997 that features audio and video recordings of Elvis Presley, accompanied live by his 1970s backup band.

<i>Elvis on Tour</i> 1972 film by Robert Abel

Elvis on Tour is a 1972 American concert film starring Elvis Presley during his fifteen-city spring tour earlier that year. It is written, produced, directed by Pierre Adidge and Robert Abel and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM).

Charles Franklin Hodge, better known as Charlie Hodge, was an American singer, vocal coach and musician who was a confidant and best friend of Elvis Presley, and lived at Graceland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elvis Herselvis</span> Musical artist

Elvis Herselvis is the stage name of the American actor and singer Leigh Crow, whose rise to international exposure was performing as a female Elvis Presley impersonator. Crow still performs as Elvis Herselvis on occasion as well as sings, acts and performs regularly; including performing with the all female rockabilly band called The Mighty Slim Pickins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Blue Moon Boys</span> American rock and roll band

The Blue Moon Boys were an American rock and roll band that was formed by Elvis Presley, lead guitarist Scotty Moore and double bass player Bill Black. The group members were introduced by Sun Studio owner Sam Phillips in 1954, except for D.J. Fontana, who joined the group during a Louisiana Hayride tour in 1955. The Blue Moon Boys were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in 2007. The band was named after Bill Monroe's song "Blue Moon of Kentucky".

Robert Washington is an American Elvis impersonator who has won many Elvis competitions in the United States. Washington is African American, and was the first African American to win the World Champion Elvis Impersonator title. Sam Thompson, a former bodyguard of Elvis Presley, once commented on Washington's close resemblance to Presley's sound.

References

  1. ↑ The Free Lance Star August 15, 1991 Page 3, Scene, Elvis is everywhere Especially in Memphis, where wannabes compete by Woody Baird
  2. ↑ The Enquirer January 24, 1993 No Ordinary Hunka-hunka Burning Impersonator As Black Elvis, Singer Clearance Giddens Has Appeared On Tv And In A Recent Feature Film. By Cheryl Squadrito
  3. ↑ Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Saturday, February 9, 1991 Page 17, People, Pages/Elvis By Any Name
  4. ↑ Cherokee County Herald April 17, 1991 Page 3, Picking hits is science to trivia task Ethel Anne DeVare
  5. ↑ Am Elvis: A Guide to Elvis Impersonators Edited by Marie Cahill I am Elvis: a guide to Elvis impersonators
  6. ↑ Daily Press June 10, 1994 Elvis Has Left The Image, Well, Not Exactly, But Black Elvis Is Eyeing Nashville by Sam McDonald
  7. ↑ Crutchley Enterprises Meet the staff, Clearance (Elvis) Giddens Archived 2015-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ Spin August 1989 Volume Five Number Five Page 65, Black Elvis by Mark Mobley
  9. ↑ Library of Congress Thunder Castle, State Route 607 vicinity, Painter, Accomack County, VA
  10. ↑ ABC 12 News Now December 19, 2014 Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left'
    Clarence Giddens, who earned fame as Black Elvis, is back on stage and performing after earning fame two decades ago in movies and on television Jennifer Cording, Eastern Shore News     Archived 2015-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ↑ Elvis Information Network Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left'
  12. ↑ The Free Lance Star, Thursday September 22, 1994 D2 from page D1Elvis
  13. ↑ Blue Virginia Monday, September 28, 2009 From the "Too Fun Not to Mention" File
  14. ↑ The Baltimore Sun September 16, 1995 Black Elvis: That's The Way It Is By Dail Willis
  15. ↑ Blue Virginia Monday, September 28, 2009 From the "Too Fun Not to Mention" File
  16. ↑ Secrets of the Eastern Shore, July 18, 2015 - Characters / Meet Black Elvis, the Pride of Itty Bitty Painter on Virginia’s Eastern Shore - written by Jim Duffy
  17. ↑ delmarva now, Dec. 18, 2014 - Va. Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left' - Jennifer Cording
  18. ↑ Secrets of the Eastern Shore, July 18, 2015 - Characters / Meet Black Elvis, the Pride of Itty Bitty Painter on Virginia’s Eastern Shore - written by Jim Duffy
  19. ↑ Spin August 1989 Volume Five Number Five Page 65, Black Elvis by Mark Mobley
  20. ↑ Discogs Gospel Expressions – Good Times Bad Times
  21. ↑ Eastern Shore Post, October 23, 2018 - Do Drop Inn Celebrates 50 Years of Lifting Spirits By Stefanie Jackson
  22. ↑ The Free Lance Star September 22, 1994 Elvis Noir, The King borrowed from black musicians; now a black singer's borrowing back by Michael Zitz
  23. ↑ The Baltimore Sun September 16, 1995 Black Elvis: That's The Way It Is By Dail Willis
  24. ↑ New York Times Honeymoon in Vegas (1992), Acting credits
  25. ↑ Elvis Information Network Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left'
  26. ↑ Wounds of Returning: Race, Memory, and Property on the Postslavery Plantation Jessica Adams 51 - 52
  27. ↑ Santa Cruz Sentinel February 10, 1991 Page 51, Whoah! That Isn't Elvis
  28. ↑ The Virginian-Pilot, Sunday, June 4, 1995 - THOUSANDS SIGHTED HONORING THE KING AT VIVA ELVIS WEEKEND - BY BILL REED, STAFF WRITER
  29. ↑ ABC 12 News Now December 19, 2014 Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left'
    Clarence Giddens, who earned fame as Black Elvis, is back on stage and performing after earning fame two decades ago in movies and on television Jennifer Cording, Eastern Shore News     Archived 2015-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  30. ↑ Race and the Subject of Masculinities Harry Stecopoulos, Michael Uebel Page 205, All the King's Men
  31. ↑ Johnny Goodtimes Quizzo Bowl IV…It’s On!
  32. ↑ ABC 12 News Now December 19, 2014 Eastern Shore icon Black Elvis has 'one more tour left'
    Clarence Giddens, who earned fame as Black Elvis, is back on stage and performing after earning fame two decades ago in movies and on television Jennifer Cording, Eastern Shore News     Archived 2015-09-27 at the Wayback Machine
  33. ↑ Eastern Shore Post, October 23, 2018 - Do Drop Inn Celebrates 50 Years of Lifting Spirits By Stefanie Jackson
  34. ↑ Shore Daily News, Dec 4, 2018 - Two Eastern Shoremen Make the National Media
  35. ↑ Local Scoop - Black Elvis scooped by Mark Atkinson
  36. ↑ The Free Lance Star September 22, 1994 - Elvis Noir, The King borrowed from black musicians; now a black singer's borrowing back by Michael Zitz
  37. ↑ Spotify - Can You Feel the Flavor, Black Elvis
  38. ↑ Channel X Viva Elvis Archived 2015-10-01 at the Wayback Machine
  39. ↑ Youtube Viva Elvis (1991)- Part 4 of 7 #Channel 4 UK#
  40. ↑ TV Guide - Honeymoon In Vegas, Cast
  41. ↑ The Baltimore Sun September 16, 1995 Black Elvis: That's The Way It Is By Dail Willis
  42. ↑ Los Angeles Times May 17, 1991 'Seoul House': Rap Opera to Social Commentary :
    Stage: Set in a Korean-owned store in a black neighborhood, the multimedia piece has found itself mirroring recent news events. by Diane Haithman
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.