RockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址檙oll and the stage is something Johnny Vallis has always had an affinity for.

He had his first big gig was when he was 11 years old as an Elvis impersonator. Back then he was blond, tall and thin, didnB次元官网网址檛 look too much like Elvis, but dug the music. Another Elvis impersonator suggested Vallis impersonate Buddy Holly because of his uncanny resemblance.

Vallis did some research on Holly and found his music to be so creative, and that there was overlap from Holly to bands like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, who idolized Holly, he said.

Vallis and his friend started to try out some Holly tunes, Vallis singing and on guitar, his friend on the drums. They were playing at a diner in Victoria when Vallis was discovered by a musician who was a guest at the restaurant who then got in touch with the promoter of Legends of RockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址橰oll and they brought Vallis over to Vancouver for a photo shoot.

Vallis first joined the Legends when he was 16 years old and has now rejoined them for a tour.

Over the years, Vallis has traveled the world touring with the with Legends B次元官网网址� his favourite an Australia 66-date tour B次元官网网址� Puerto Rico, and has played for the King and Queen of Malaysia. The highlight of his career was working on tour with Veronica Bennett of the Ronettes.

B次元官网网址淪he was great to work with, a really nice lady,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淪heB次元官网网址檚 the B次元官网网址渂ad girlB次元官网网址� of rockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址檙oll, but truthfully, sheB次元官网网址檚 a sweetheart.B次元官网网址�

Through touring, Vallis has met people who worked in the same studio as Holly, like Sunny West who wrote B次元官网网址淥h, Boy!B次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址淩ave OnB次元官网网址�. He met Buddy Knox, who told him to take his glasses off, because Vallis looked too much like Holly, he said.

Vallis said meeting people who knew Holly helped him get to know the man he lives on stage, and having great respect for the artist helps him portray Holly honestly and authentically.

He is sensitive to HollyB次元官网网址檚 story, who passed away at just 22 years old, when B次元官网网址渉e was at the height of his popularity. It was rockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址檙ollB次元官网网址檚 first tragedy, B次元官网网址� Vallis said. B次元官网网址淗olly was only around for 18 months and is equal billing to these people [Roy Orbison and Elvis].B次元官网网址�

The most enjoyable part of his job is bringing fond memories to people who remember HollyB次元官网网址檚 music and creating an escape that brings joy, Vallis said. The Legends of RockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址橰oll tour features artists that have all passed away, so that is the illusion part of the show, he said, being able to present something to the public they couldnB次元官网网址檛 otherwise have.

There is no performer in VallisB次元官网网址� immediate bloodline, but he thinks his grandmother would have liked to be on the stage.

As his day job, Vallis performs as the B次元官网网址楳an of Many VoicesB次元官网网址� where he impersonates the likes of Mick Jagger and John Lennon. Vallis said he would like to try Mick Jagger for a Legends tour one day.

The Legends of RockB次元官网网址檔B次元官网网址橰oll at Elements Casino Victoria features the trifecta of Roy Orbison played by Larry Branson, Elvis played by Ben Klein and Holly played by Vallis. The concert dates are May 11 and 12. People can purchase tickets in person at the casino, by phone at 1-855-985-5000 or online .

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lindsey.horsting@goldstreamgazette.com