El Vez - The Latino Elvis
By: Dominick A. Miserandino
Read his thoughts on Elvis Presley, the Latin community and the American Dream.
DM) Well, my first question is probably the most obvious... How much of an
influence has Elvis been in your life?
EL) A lot.
DM) How much of your style is mocking him and how much is emulating him?
EL) I ain't mocking him... I'm using Elvis as a tool to meet my needs...to
enlighten people of the Chicano, Mexican and Latino situation... in the
process, letting people realize their own roots more... king as Metaphor...
king as empowerment... king as poor man with nothing turning into greatest
entertainer of all time (success--working from nothing to top American dream)
AMERICAN DREAM... you don't have to be a white man in your 40's to be part
of the American dream...it's for everyone...because that is America... El
Vez, the Elvis you could fit in anything... I super-impose my culture and
heritage over American icons... because that's what America is about.
DM) What specific issues affecting the Latino community would you like to
change?
EL) Better organizational skills, better voter turnouts, less apathy, more
of an economical realization... more of a face in entertainment... Latino
markets we have but a broader based national American market... faces on
prime time American television... which sadly to say... will turn around the
other issues.
DM) Why would more exposure on television help the Latin American community?
EL) Giving the rest of the nation an idea about us... not to fear... we are
here to make everyone in the southwest have to speak Spanish... we are not
here to take their jobs away... for right or wrong, TV gets into people's
homes and spreads messages and ideas etc... exposure.
DM) What's your answer to the argument that says we should restrict
immigration?
EL) I understand people's fears when they want to restrict immigrants from
coming in... but they are fearing without thinking how they can make the
Latino work force work in helping with taxes etc... Latinos are willing to
take the low-paying jobs that most of the (white complaining groups) would
not even dream of taking.... instead of making paying under the table so
attractive... these jobs could be taxed just like other work forces, helping
put money into society via taxes etc... Of course, I'm over simplifying, but
I'm half asleep at this moment...
DM) What you propose makes sense: instead of attacking the issue, working
with the issue. I'm sure that extra tax money will help. Why hasn't an idea
like that been tried before?
EL) I'm not sure, but I think fear of unemployment benefits lurks with it...
if paying taxes etc. makes you eligible for unemployment... etc.
DM) What are your views about people who want to make English the national
language?
EL) The idea of a national language is another fear (I'm going to have to
learn to speak Spanish?). It doesn't need to be wasting our time just to say
we are Americans, let's speak American... Switzerland is a great example...
of multi-lingual societies working... for commerce, etc.; everywhere else in
the world, everyone knows more than one language ....
DM) But aren't there benefits of mono-linguism just on the basis of clearer
communication?
EL) Yeah, I can see the benefits of mono-linguism. I feel the best thing is
to be flexible. I think ridge ideas are enforced, and you got to flow with
ideas and change and work with the change... towards a better... .TA DA!!!!!!!
DM) Back to your career, what can people expect from your "typical" El Vez
show?
EL) Costumes changes, dancing, the lovely Elvettes, social
commentary/critic/satire. The story of Latino history through the music of
Elvis Presley. Gold lame. Sex. Religion. Politics. Viva Las Vegas
becomes viva la Raza!
DM) What Elvis trademarks do you use in your show (karate moves, jumpsuit)?
EL) I use the spirit of Elvis, the skeleton, the frame and then I go to
Mars, the revolution, church or wherever I choose. Elvis and all that he
presents is our frame of reference--and then, I go beyond...
DM) Which Elvis postage stamp did you vote for?
EL) I voted for the jumpsuit Elvis. I wanted to be contrary. I knew the
young one would win and I do like it better, but you have to create tension
sometimes. I came out with an El Vez stamp. It was advert for
1-800-king-mex. A pay phone service to talk to me etc. It looked like the
young Elvis, only a Mexican flag was the background (and it was a photo of El
Vez). It came out the same day as Elvis's. I was the first person in
California to be presented with the Elvis stamp. It was presented to me by
the Postmaster General of California. I in turn handed him a page of the El
Vez stamps. We had a big party at the Hollywood post office where I
performed and served an Elvis stamp cake and also an El Vez stamp cake. The
filling was peanut butter and banana.
DM) What is your take on the theories that Elvis is hanging out in a K-mart
somewhere or on a deserted island?
EL) There are thousands of impersonators; they shop at K-mart. Somewhere
etc... It is a nice story but it is not true.
DM) What was your first impression of Graceland?
EL) I loved it! What is not to love? More people know what Elvis's house
looks like inside than they do the rooms of the White House. It is
beautiful. As you know, it is not the original (like when he lived in it),
but it fits the bill--although it is a little smaller than you would expect
the very first time you see it.
DM) "Viva la Raza!" What does that mean?
EL) "Hooray for the race!" It became a rallying call in the early
seventies for Chicano groups. On a level with "Say it loud, I'm black and
I'm proud!"
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