Aired on Treasure Island Oldies – December 15, 2024
Probably one of the greatest Elvis sound-alikes came out of Chicago in the late 50’s. After re-recording and re-releasing a cover version of an Elvis song he began to be recognized nationally in the U.S.
In 1961 he had an original hit go Top 10. He also gave us an original Christmas song that year.
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Our Elvis clone began singing in church as a child and at local talent shows as a teen in two of his own bands, the Rockin’ Five and the Gents.
Early in 1961 he recorded a cover of Presley’s 1960 “The Girl Of My Best Friend,” along with a backing band called the Starfires. After being picked up by Gone Records, he re-recorded and re-released the tune, which became a nationwide hit; some listeners even thought that the cover was in fact Elvis himself.
Three months later he reappeared on the charts with a tune that went to #4 nationally – “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Until You Lose It).” It was uncanny how much he sounded like Elvis – some say, even Elvis acknowledged this.
The name of this well-known Elvis sound-alike is Ral Donner, whose career was somewhat revived after Elvis’ untimely death in 1977 at the age of 42. As a tribute to Elvis he recorded an album entitled “1937 – 1977 I’ve Just Been Away For A While Now.”
Joining Donner on the album were Presley band members D.J. Fontana and Scotty Moore, as well as the Jordanaires. Donner also went on to supply the voice of Elvis and the narration for the 1981 film “This Is Elvis!”
Sadly, his revival was short-lived as he contracted cancer and died in 1984. He will be missed, along with this rare Christmas recording from 1961 that he co-wrote, “(Things That Make Up) Christmas Day,” this week’s Tom Locke moment in time.
YouTube listing of the song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SkoCoXJlFg
This “Moments In Time” story is yet another example of a “golden oldie” or forgotten favorite that earned its place in the evolution of Rock & Roll.
