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Garfield's Bobby Memphis Keeps Elvis Spirit Alive

GARFIELD, N.J. — Garfield's Bobby Memphis becomes "The King" regularly.

Bobby Memphis

Bobby Memphis

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Bobby Memphis

Memphis, who also lived in Lodi, has performed Elvis Presley tribute shows for decades and still plays two to three times a month.

"Every generation needs an icon," Memphis said of Elvis. "Someone that they can look up to and someone that takes the reins for the next generation of music."

He left New Jersey in 1977 and spent time in Memphis and Nashville, where he met Presley's family.

Memphis worked security at Graceland, Elvis's home, and met the man himself once.

Elvis was eating breakfast in the early afternoon, because he always slept late. Memphis saw him wearing red silk pajamas with "EP" engraved on them. Elvis dropped his sunglasses down his nose to look at Memphis, and said, "Hi I'm Elvis."

The cordial and brief encounter provided a step in Memphis's tribute shows for the music legend.

"He had the moves and he was energetic, pure energy," Memphis said. "The girls fed off that. That got the entire thing with rock and roll going."

Many of his shows benefit charities such as St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and nursing homes.

His favorite Elvis song is "If I Can Dream," along with many of his well-known hits.

Memphis became a history buff for The King from his experience with his entourage. He also worked on a project detailing the time Elvis met The Beatles, which he said not many people know much about.

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