Man spends $12,000 on outfits and singing lessons to become an Elvis impersonator

More than just blue suede shoes, lots of cash left the building. A former UK bus inspector has spent £10,000 (US$12,000) on Elvis Presley outfits and singing lessons to fulfill his dream of becoming an impersonator.

David Black, 52, decided to give up life on the buses to pursue his dream after falling unhappy during the Covid pandemic and then being offered a voluntary layoff. His ticket from the cooperation with the travel company Arriva came in the form of an extensive severance package.

After quitting his job as a bus inspector in 2021, he used the money to invest in his business impersonating the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Though he hasn’t gotten his £10,000 (US$12,150) back from his work as an impersonator, he says he’s happier than ever and will never stop.

“I’ve wanted to be an artist since I was 10 years old. I wanted the Dave Black show in theaters. I never lost that passion for the stage, Black said: “During Covid-19 I suffered with my mental health. Now I’m living my dream 100 percent. I will do this as long as I am on this planet.”

Luckily, his wife Lynn is a fan of Presley and saw his films as a child. Taking the plunge, he said, “I really had to believe in myself. I couldn’t sing, so I needed singing lessons.

“When you spend that much money, you have to make sure you get it back.”

Black bought a year of singing lessons in 2021 and spent thousands on bespoke iridescent leather suits, each costing £1,700 ($2,000). He had to learn to hit the right notes and drop his Essex accent in place of the singer’s Southern accent.

Dave got the idea of ​​becoming an Elvis Presley impersonator after visiting Las Vegas and getting inspired. He began working part-time as Elvis on his days off in 2018. He had booked a good string of shows just before March 2020, when the pandemic hit and all entertainment venues closed indefinitely.

“I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, I thought they were going to pull my leg with this biblical plague that came out of nowhere,” he said, “it really messed me up mentally. It hit me hard, but I never gave up. I grabbed my mic and sang at home and entertained people online. At that time I decided to resign, I worked on the buses for 20 years and had to believe in myself.”

He now works as a Tesco delivery driver to support his Elvis work but with shows coming most weeks he’s living his dream.

David’s favorite song to sing is The Wonder of You, which he thinks is fitting.

“When I was a kid, I used to go on stage and win impersonation talent contests. You never lose that stage presence.”

Produced in collaboration with SWNS talker.

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