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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 

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Are you a good Elvis impersonator?
-In the fifties the critics said that Elvis couldn´t sing or dance... If that´s true I must be good..

Do you do shows on regular basis?
-No, I sometimes participate in karaoke competitions or do guest appearences at parties and every now and then people ask me if I can do a show which I generally accept.

So you have a regular job too? What do you do?
-I work as an IT-technician. You know, installing computers and helping users with problems.

Which is the most requested song?
-Jailhouse Rock! It's one of the songs I do a lot and it's my personal favourite of all Elvis songs. It's a tough song to sing and I really wish I could do it better.

Which is your favourite Elvis movie?
-Again I have to answer Jailhouse Rock! It was Elvis' third movie and he's really a tough SOB and the songs are very good. Other movies I like are Flaming Star, Charro! and Change Of Habit which are very different from the usual Elvis-formula movies.

What do think about the re-mixed hit songs "A Little Less Conversation" and "Rubberneckin´"?
-I really like them and they introduce Elvis to a new audience who has never heard Elvis before. Some people may discover that Elvis is much more than "Love Me Tender" and "Hound Dog". Most people seem to think Elvis didn't do any good stuff after 1958 but the truth is that he developed his singing immensely through the years. Some of the best stuff are the songs recorded at the same sessions as "Rubberneckin' in 1969. The "Rubberneckin'" re-mix could have been better and in my opinion the unofficial "Groove Remix" is better. Both songs were good in their original versions but I think "A Little Less Conversation" improved a bit by the re-mix treatment whereas "Rubberneckin'" sounds more modern but has not improved.

Do you ever get nervous before a show?
-Always! The longer I wait before I get up on the stage the more nervous I get. But after the first song I get more relaxed and the songs seem to fill me with energy. I don't know what it is but I really get a kick performing in front of a big crowd although I'm actually rather shy.

Which is your most exciting musical experience?
-Meeting Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana from Elvis Presley's original band.

Did you sing with them?
-No, I only shook hands with them and got their autographs. If I'd get the chance to sing with those guys I don't know if I could do it .. I would be too excited and too nervous... On the other hand who could fail with such a backing?!

What do you think about the swedish Elvis impersonator Eilert Pilarm from Norrland, Sweden?
-I have heard one of his CDs and even seen him perform and what can I say... If you want a laugh well sure.. but if you want Elvis don't even mention this guy... You know I used to be like Eilert when I was about 10 years old... Couldn't keep the tempo at all, didn't know the words so I just tried to sound something like Elvis did. I am a little better now. At least I know the right words and how to pronounce them.


Do you collect records by Elvis impersonators?
-No, why buy a copy when you can get the original! I like watching impersonators perform but I don't feel any need to buy their music.

Would you like to do a record and if so what would you record?
-This may seem a little contradictionary but I would like to do a record with Elvis songs. Just because I don't listen much to impersonators doesn't mean others shouldn't. I know there are many popular impersonators who sell lots of records. Often they include something they written themselves and that's good. Then you get something more original and not just pale copies and that's something I would like to do myself - write something of my own. If I could accomplish one good tribute song I would most likely record it and release it on CD. But that may never happen... I'm quite satisfied with doing a live performance every now and then.

Do you have many fans?
-I don't think I got many but I know I got a few and as long as people are amused by my performances - one way or the other - I will continue to sing.

What do you mean by "one way or the other"?
-I mean that some people may think I'm crazy doing what I do but I don't mind. I just like to go a little crazy sometimes and try to put on a show so people get something to talk about. When I get off the stage I'm a completely normal person again - at least almost!

 

The virtual Elvis Presley show has been touring Europe. Did you see it? - Yeah, I saw it in Stockholm and it really was great! At times it felt very real and the 10.000 people at the concert almost acted like The King was there, shouting and screaming... Of course the musicians still could rock and roll and people may have been applauding them too but I think people got so into it so they applauded Elvis appearing on the video screen. I know I did! One thing that I was a little surprised to find out was that people there weren't from the agegroup you might expect. All kinds of people from 20-60 turned up at the show and everybody seemed to be enjoying it. It was an incredible feeling to be there and I will see it again if I get the opportunity.

Photo taken by Morten Hermann

Your real name is Mikael Ahlgren and some people have reported that they have seen a bus with that name on it. Is it your bus or what?
- Well I have seen it myself and no I don't have anything to do with it. It's a guy in Uppsala, Sweden who has the same name as me and has a band which plays swedish dance music. I have never met them but have seen their bus here in Mariehamn and also in Sweden. Actually I find it rather funny. I wonder what they would say if I had a bus with the same name painted on it... But if I had bus like that I would have to hire someone to drive it since I'm not allowed to drive a bus with my current driver's license.

Do you feel any competition from other Elvis impersonators?
- Sure, and to be honest I think most impersonators do. It's their thing and they been working on their acts and are trying to be accepted as artists. On the other hand it's a thing they have in common and they can learn from each other. I mean when I watch an impersonator I have my own opinion about how a show should look like but different people try to do different things. The Interesting thing is to observe what songs go well and what to say between songs and what to do during the performances to catch the audience's attention. I think I got a working show now but you can always improve. Once you got a working show you cannot stick with it forever. Well you can if you are only in it for the money but then you will not enjoy it yourself. I do it mostly because I enjoy performing Elvis songs and that way spreading Elvis music.

What does "Karaoke" mean? Your performances are listed as karaoke or with some band but could you explain in detail how it works?
- As long as it's not a live artist playing an instrument, including me banging on the guitar, I classify it as "Karaoke". You could also call it singback. Usually I use a computer with karaoke files. If there is a band playing at the party I just plug in my computer to the mixing desk and borrow a microphone. Or I bring my own amplifier and speakers. But I really need the words for some of the songs I do. I have thought of having the words on paper but why not use the technical solutions when you can?

- With a live band you can improvise more but when using karaoke backgrounds you may get a more Elvis like sound. So there's benefits to both approaches. I would like to have a band to back me but that would make the show much more expensive and it would be much more difficult to plan shows. On my own I can accept to do a show on very short notice and with little rehearsing.

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