Mark Leen, a native of Tralee, Co. Kerry, Ireland, began his career as the "Emerald Elvis" back in 1997. In his own words, "In 1997 it was the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death. I was offered a show as Elvis in Tralee and so I did it. All I had to wear was one white jacket that I had bought for 50p in a jumble sale. I had a black shirt, black trousers and white shoes. The place was crowded and the show drove everybody crazy - they loved it!" Mark has gone on to much bigger things since then, even replicating the 1973 Aloha from Hawaii special in the INEC Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland, which was a two night sell-out back in 2003. This book takes us on a photographic journey through some of his early life and the last decade of his career.
Elvis Has Left America
Author: Mark Leen/Eric Roux Fontaine
Publisher: Transbordeurs
ISBN 13: 978-2-84957-090-6
A crowd awaits with anticipation and chatters amongst themselves in hushed tones. A lone figure stands in the wing of the stage, waiting for his cue to enter. The first notes of the theme tune from 2001 Space Odyssey are struck on the piano. A silence falls amongst the crowd and the air is brimming with excited anticipation. A girl shrieks with delight for she knows that her favourite entertainer will appear any moment now. The lone figure at the side entrance of the stage feels the adrenaline pumping through his veins as the tune comes to a crashing crescendo. The drummer beats the drums wildly and Ireland’s own “Emerald Elvis” Mark Leen, walks onto the stage accompanied by the applauding of the audience and the wild, almost orgasmic cries of the women.
