ETA Rami Aslan, Wuppertal show, 2017.
Introduction
It is my hope, when I post International ETAs, that I will one day have the pleasure of meeting them in person. I feel honoured that they put their trust in me and have confidence that when I proof read and edit their answers, I will not lose the gist of what they are saying. For ETAs whose first language may not be English, answering questions in a written format can be a daunting task. I applaud them for taking on the challenge. What shines through and bridges any communication gap is a deep love for Elvis Presley and a commitment in presenting the best possible tribute found anywhere in the world. As with other International ETAs that I have posted, today’s featured ETA, Rami Aslan, provided interview answers that are interesting, touching, honest, and at times, very amusing. I am especially pleased to post ETA Rami Aslan today, because it happens to be his birthday. Happy June 25th birthday, Rami! We hope it is the beginning of a fantastic year. Best wishes from everyone at SIDEBURNS Magazine. Cheers! C.M.
Spotlight On: ETA Rami Aslan
The Interview
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Tovita Brathen Razzi, Tovita Razzi Event Photos.
Q. Where were you born, and where do you now reside?
A. I was born in Turkey in a small Circassians town called Saricaova. We moved to Germany when I was six months old. I have lived there since, in a city called Homberg Ohm which is one hour away from Frankfurt and 35 minutes from Bad Nauheim where Elvis lived when he was in the Army in Germany.
Q. Tell us five interesting things about your childhood.
A. I was a very shy boy in my childhood, often hanging out alone reading tons of comic books like Superman, Shazam (same comic Elvis loved), and Captain Future. I played with Masters of the Universe figures, which is where my passion for drawing comics started. I remember when we had a school break, all the pupils stood in a row and wanted me to make some sketches of the comic heroes (I was very talented for an 8 year old fellow…lol). I also remember watching, from time to time, Elvis on TV, too.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Marika Fitzner.
Q. Describe your life as a teenager.
A. My teenager years were more interesting than my childhood.
After my ten years at school ended, I started my three years of training in the Hotel Biz. I learned how to contact different people. It was a hard job, and I often worked 10 or 11 hours per day.
In the evenings I spent a lot of time with my new friends whom I met at parties. At the time, I was a big fan of Techno Music, so I remember I would spend weekends visiting nearly all the clubs around Germany.
One of my highlights was with my best buddy at the time spending a week in Spain in the early 90s. To be honest, I didn’t get much sleep in those years…lol.
I met my wife, Yasemin, when I was 19. I married very young, at the age of twenty-one. I have two kids. My son, Trik, was born January 8th (like Elvis...crazy, yes?). My daughter, Sirin, is now twenty years old.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Sabine Serhan.
Q. Did you take any lessons related to the performing arts, or did you perform on stage before becoming an ETA?
A. No, I did not take any lessons. Before becoming an ETA, I was not a performer.
Q. What music was most often heard in your home?
A. Turkish music.
Q. What made you decide to embark on a career as an ETA?
A. Since the time I was ten years old, I have been a follower of Elvis Presley. I bought some cassettes (not CDs, lol) and some records; and I loved his movies. When I was 17, I entered a Karaoke contest and came third. Man, I was so nervous that cannot describe it! After that first contest, I entered some more contests, but after this year I stopped and concentrated more on collecting Elvis items. What can I say: He was my Idol when I was a teenager, and I returned to my “roots” (lol what a word!). When I was 33, a gospel choir asked me if I would do some songs together with them. A few days later, I decided to visit them, and we practiced together. One of the ladies who knew me from my childhood said, “Hey Rami, you have a great voice. Would you like to sing at my son’s wedding?” I asked if she would give me a few days to think about it. To be honest, I was so nervous and unsure; but after two weeks I gave her my okay. And what can I say? Everybody loved my rendition of “Love Me Tender”; so, my career as an ETA really started that night in 2007.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Sabine Serhan.
Q. Describe what you were feeling before, during, and after your first performance as an ETA.
A. My gosh! The first time I was so extremely nervous that I cannot describe it. I was not comfortable with singing and hitting the notes; but, the audience loved my performance. What can I say?
Q. Describe the atmosphere before a competition (or performance) backstage.
A. Well, the feelings in a contest are completely different than those I feel in my own show.
There is so much pressure during a competition: Did the audience and the judges like it? Did I hit all notes? Did I forget the lyrics? So it is kind of exciting, I must say. The most important thing is to be relaxed, but sadly it is not the only ingredient in the recipe.
Q. Describe the process of turning yourself into a stage ready ETA.
A. Well, I must say it is a lot of fun to channel into an ETA. To be honest, I don’t need much time for my stage styling. I apply makeup, and a bit of highlight and contour. Sometimes I wear a real hair wig from New Roots, but mostly I use my own hair; and at last…the jumpsuit.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Tovita Brathen Razzi, Tovita Razzi Event Photos.
Q. Describe how you felt before, during, and after your first competition. Did you achieve the outcome you desired?
A. My first competition was in 2007 in Birmingham, UK. I was extremely nervous. I think I did an okay job (lol). I wore the '68 leather suit. I didn’t make the finals, so I was disappointed.
Q. What is the biggest mistake that young ETAs make in their tribute?
A. The biggest mistake young ETAs make is that they mostly copy the moves of some famous ETAs. Boys, better watch the real Elvis…he is your teacher and nobody else!!!
Q. What valuable life lessons did you learn from your parents, or mentor, that you still use today?
A. I’m extremely self-critical, and always work on myself to delete my mistakes to get better. My father (who passed away 14 Years ago) always said to me, “Better to have one or two really good friends, than 25 wrong friends.
Q. Describe the highlights of your ETA career.
A. My highlights as an ETA...there are a lot: To perform all over in Germany, and now in Europe; to make true Elvis fans happy; to touch them with my voice, and with my show.
One of my personal highlights was when I spoke with a lady who was in the audience in July 1969 when Elvis returned to the stage at the Las Vegas International Hotel. She told me she was married to a US GI in the 50s and returned with him to Las Vegas in the 60s. Together, they visited a lot of shows in the 60s and 70s--Dino, Sammy Davis, and so on; but the highlight for her was seeing Elvis on stage for the first time in 1969. She said he entered the stage like a shining angel in his black suit, full of energy. Nearly all the ladies cried through the whole show. It was unreal! I think I listened to her for nearly an hour. It was like I was sitting in the audience and watching through her eyes. It was so touching. She cried after she finished her story. Her last words were, “I never saw anyone so beautiful before, or after, Elvis. His charisma was unbeatable.” That gave me real goose bumps!
ETA Rami Aslan with Beatrice Parrelly. Photo Credit: Foto@ivonneebersbach@aol.com
Q. What is the best part of being an ETA?
A. The best part of being an ETA for me is travelling all around, doing what I love, performing and doing a tribute to the biggest artist of the Century, Elvis Presley.
Q. Who are the important women in your life? Why are these women important to you?
A. Surely my wife. She is not the biggest Elvis fan…but anyway, lol.
Q. How are you different on stage compared to off stage?
A. I’m not much different off stage as I am on stage. Possibly, I play more the Elvis role on stage—that is all.
ETAs Di Diogo Light, Rami Aslan, Tode Banjanski, and Ted Torres Martin. Photo Credit: Tode Banjanski.
Q. What ETA title would you like to have that has so far escaped you?
A. I would love one day to be the European Champion.
Q. Would you want to judge an ETA competition?
A. No.
Q. What men have had a positive influence on your life? How?
A. Elvis Presley influenced me, because he gave me self-confidence. Because of him, I got positive feedback and support from many people. His music changed all: I knew almost 200 songs to sing on stage; but to be honest, from month to month, I learn songs by Elvis that I never had before on my radar, lol.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Marika Fitzner.
Q. What makes you sad? How do you cope with sadness?
A. Negative hateful criticism against my person makes me sad. Constructive criticism is one thing, but to give nasty hateful criticism and comments is another thing. What makes me sad, too, is that still on this planet we have to fight with Illness, poverty, food, water and war. We live in 2019…think about it!
Q. In what international cities have you performed? How are audiences different in different countries?
A. I now perform internationally in contests—three times in the UK and one time in Denmark. The international audience is more relaxed and in a party mood. Here, in Germany, they need more time, lol.
Teddy, ETA Rami Aslan’s Chihuahua dog. Photo Credit: Rami Aslan.
Q. Is there a country where you really want to perform as an ETA?
A. The USA. Hopefully next year I will go to Memphis.
Q. What are your strengths as a performer?
A. My voice and stage presence.
Q. Describe your typical non-performance day.
A. Sitting on the couch, or walking with my Chihuahua dog, Teddy. He spends a lot of time with me.
Q. What makes you laugh?
A. Funny guys.
Q. If it were possible, what would you like to ask Elvis? What would you say to him?
A. First of all, I would choose the year 1969 to travel to him. I would say, “Please, Elvis, take care of your health, and don’t touch those pills anymore!” I would show him how he ends up in 1977, and possibly this would change history.
ETA Rami Aslan. Photo Credit: Nicole Langel.
Q. How do you decide who receives a scarf during a performance?
A. I don’t really decide who gets a scarf; just whoever comes near the stage gets one :)
Q. What are sacrifices have you made for your ETA career?
A. I really spend a lot of time—a really a lot of time, watching Elvis concerts, and listening and studying.
Q. What Elvis costume is your favourite? Why?
Look what arrived 😍😍😍...My new Bk Arabian Jumpsuit...just in time for my Birthday! Photo Credit: Rami Aslan.
A. My favorite for a long time was the Peacock jumpsuit. I don’t own it anymore, because after a few years the jumpsuits bore me, and I replace them always with new ones. At the moment, I am waiting for my new one from B&K…but this one is a surprise! Lol.
Q. How do you care for your costumes so they are always stage ready?
A. Embroidered suits, I bring to the dry cleaner; and studded or “normal” suits, I wash myself.
Q. Who taught you how to apply your Elvis makeup?
A. I got some tips in the past from Martin Fontaine, known for the famous “Elvis Story Musical”, and also from my makeup artist, Ina, whom I book specially for my own concerts.
Q. What special care does your hair or wig require to keep it looking good?
A. Thank God I have enough hair that I can style for each era that I want for Elvis. Sure, now at age of forty-four, I have to dye it now; but from time to time, as I mentioned before, I wear a real hair wig.
Rami in his Black Spanish Flower, 2017. Photo Credit: B&K Enterprises Costume Co Inc.
Q. What annoys you?
A. Guys who think they are the real Elvis.
Q. What do you fear?
A. The end of the World.
Q. How do you handle disappointment?
A. I handle disappointment, especially as an ETA, by watching what I did wrong, and trying to make it better next time.
Q. How will you know when it is time to retire from being an ETA?
A. When I look in the mirror and say, “That’s it, boy! You are too old now to be doing this.”
Q. Who are the people you would like to thank for being there throughout your ETA career?
A. Mostly my fans. They can make you; they can break you. So always be friendly to them. Sure, there are a few who cannot handle that off stage I am a normal guy, and they phone me sometimes five or ten times per day; so I have to delete them from my list. Good friends can call me anytime.
Q. What song do you wish Elvis had recorded so you could sing it on stage during your tribute to Elvis?
Sabine Serhan: “On our way to Birmingham...✈️
To the European Elvis Championships 2018 — withRami Aslan and Oliver Steinhoff at Hilton Birmingham Metropole. Photo Credit: Sabine Serhan.
A. I wish Elvis had sung and recorded “Walking in Memphis”.
Q. How can people contact you about upcoming show?
A. My upcoming shows can be found under www.rami-elvis.de
From September 28th to 30th, I will be at the Porthcawl UK Elvis Festival; and on October 13th, I will be in Donegal, Ireland.
You can find me on Facebook under: Rami Aslan
Photo Album
Thank you to those whose photos appear in this album: Corrie Knapen, Sabine Serhan, Steve Bampton, Mark Shuttleworth, Morgan Voien, Rami Aslan, and Eva Brand.
