Rock legends shake up finals week

By Ariel Houchens
Senior Staff Writer

UNCP will be bringing some rock ‘n’ roll to finals week when legends Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley perform May 3 at 8 p.m. in GPAC.

“The Legends of Rock N’ Roll” show is a live musical tribute that stars John Mueller as Buddy, Larry Branson as Roy and Scot Bruce as Elvis. It is part of the Nostalgia Concert Series.

One reviewer said Bruce’s impersonation of the young Elvis is eerily realistic.

“Scot Bruce has got it going on, his voice is so uncannily like the King’s you’ll think you’re in Blue Hawaii…He has all the signature Presley moves, – the independently rotating thighs, the swiveling pelvis, the droopy bedroom eyes – down to a science,” the reviewer said.

Bruce has traveled around the world impersonating the “King.” He has appeared as Elvis in music videos, sitcoms, soap operas and commercials. In Los Angeles, he has been heard as the “Resident Elvis” on a highly rated morning radio show.

Bruce did not aspire to be a world known Elvis impersonator. While pursuing a career as a musician/ actor, he began doing a 1950’s era Elvis show just to make a little extra money. Instead, he found himself with an unexpected full-time career.

Unlike Bruce, the Roy Orbison impersonator, Branson, originally had no musical aspirations.

In high school, music was Branson’s worst subject, because he was too shy and embarrassed to sing in front of his classmates. The shy guy overcame his fears and eventually began performing as a rock ‘n’ roll great.

“Branson was born to play the Big O,” one reviewer raved.

Mueller, who stars as Buddy, grew up playing along to his favorite rock ‘n’ rollers with his Sears and Roebuck drum set and Dutch Masters cigar box guitar. He has traveled throughout the United States playing his music, acting for the stage and appearing on film and television.

Niki Sullivan, an original member of Buddy’s band “The Crickets,” described Mueller as being the reincarnation of Buddy Holly.

“He has the same determination in his eyes that Buddy did and when John is on stage, he is a totally dynamic performer, just like Buddy,” Sullivan said.