For 15 years, Francis Gourdon has been performing as an Elvis Presley lookalike. Passionate about the American singer since his early childhood, he performs throughout France. Originally from Ambazac, in Haute-Vienne, we met a talented, modest and truly touching man.
Francis, that rhymes with Elvis. We met some nice guys, but this is more than that.
“I’m really shy. I don’t get too close to the public. In general, it’s more people who come to me. When I go to the North to Dunkirk or Calais for example, there are 500 people in the room and a lot of people ask me for selfies and autographs. I’m very embarrassed, but it’s really nice. »
Francis Gourdon, 57 years old. Living in a small hamlet of Ambazac and with a passion in his heart since he was 13: Elvis Presley.
Far from Las Vegas, it was at the Saint-Priest-Taurion multipurpose hall that we found the King’s double.
Although many people are amused by his resemblance to Elvis, you only need to hear him sing to understand his talent. When some people want to make fun of him, he doesn’t care. Kindness and passion, Francis carries them in his heart.
Arched legs, impeccable hairstyle, Francis sings in tune and well.
“Once, during a concert in Alsace, a journalist came to see me and said: “I’m telling you the truth, I came to make fun of you”. It surprised me and it hurt me. But he saw the show, and at the end, he said to me, “You know, I’m going to come back and see you, and this time, not to make fun of you.”
Return under the sunlight of Saint-Priest-Taurion. It’s 9:30 p.m., Elvis starts the show.
Like this February 14, 1973, with the concert, Aloha from Hawaiibroadcast live on television.
At this precise moment, no more Francis. White costume with stars on your skin, guitar in hand, it’s Elvis on stage. Sissy Rider, Burning Lovethe classics follow one another. Elvis came back.
“Going on stage is an outlet. I always freak out two days before my shows, because I’m always afraid of screwing up. »
After starting out in a rockabilly group in 1987, he discovered Elvis more than 40 years ago.
The Elvis of the 1950s and late 1960s
“What struck me was the film Long live Las Vegas in 1977. I was shocked. The next day I asked my mom to buy me some Elvis records and it all started like that. I love what he did in the 50s, and from 1968 with his black leather suit. His shows in Las Vegas are magical. »
Bow-legged, impeccable hairstyle, Francis Gourdon sings. Fair and good. And people are dancing.
“I like when the music is well orchestrated, like what Elvis did in the 50s. Blue suede shoesetc. I launched myself on stage to cover his songs. »
The adventure of performing as an Elvis Presley lookalike began in 2009.
Among the best European lookalikes
Success comes slowly, before an evening comes to give it a kind of pleasure, as if Elvis himself had validated his double.
It was in 2014, in Birmingham (England), during the European Elvis Lookalike Championship which takes place every year, on the anniversary of the King’s death (August 16, 1977).
I performed two songs with the Graceland bandand I was a finalist. Musically, it flowed on its own, because I had been singing these songs since I was a child.
“It was at the Hilton Hotel, there were maybe 150 lookalikes from all over the world. Elvis’ concert hall was reproduced identically. I performed two songs with the Graceland bandand I was a finalist. Musically, it flowed on its own, because I had been singing these songs since I was a child. At the end, all the musicians came to hug me. »
Today, Francis officially works at a gas station, “but don’t say where, because sometimes it attracts Elvis fans to work, it’s annoying. »
Francis’ daily life mainly involves rehearsing for his shows across France. He took up boxing again in Limoges, to get better physically.
The king’s double can count on his companion, Fany, who works in the shadows: his diary, his costumes, or play the soundtracks that accompany the artist on stage.
Fany, Francis Gourdon’s companion, works in the shadows: she takes care of his costumes, and plays the soundtracks that accompany the artist on stage.
Fany is the pillar of his life. The looks between them, while he sings, are unmistakable.
“I have two stage costumes. This one was my partner, Fany, who gave it to me. We went to pick it up in Beauvais, she bought it for €2,000. The other one, I had it made by a seamstress, it’s the same as Elvis’s in Las Vegas. On the other hand, I don’t fit in anymore. »
Francis Gourdon (Sosie d’Elvis Presley)
A sincerity that touches the heart
So Francis repeats. He works on his voice four times a week.
« Pour My WayI had one difficulty, it was raising my voice. A fellow singer taught me. You have to work, breathe properly. I work a lot at home in Ambazac. I close the windows and send. »
Francis Gourdon is perfectly aware of who he is. A modest man, whose kindness and sincerity touches your heart.
“Being an Elvis lookalike didn’t do much for me in life. Sometimes in restaurants or elsewhere, people recognize me and they offer me a drink. It bothers me, because I’m not like that. »
Saturday November 2 in Panazol
An evening with Elvis Presley lookalikes, C. Jérôme, Johnny Hallyday and Michel Delpech is organized at 7:30 p.m. at the Panazol village hall.
Price: €15 with cold buffet. Reservation required at 07.67.02.63.98. Contact Francis Gourdon: 06.17.58.09.32.
Franck Jacquet
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