Can You Give Us Background on Big Elvis?

Could you please provide some history/background on Big Elvis who performs in the lounge at Harrah's? With his size, how does he get around? A very good singer and quite entertaining.

The musical roots of Big Elvis, whose real name is Pete Vallee, run deep. His mother was a singer in Memphis where Pete was born, the youngest of four children. He learned to play guitar at age 13 and when he sang in the choir at his church, the pastor told him he sounded like Elvis. Two years later, Pete started impersonating Elvis; in fact, according to his website bio, at that age he moved to Las Vegas and began appearing at the Sahara. He was such a hit that he hit the road and traveled throughout the U.S. and Canada for the next six years, before he took a break and attended college.

But at age 28, he returned to the Strip and has been doing his Elvis show ever since (he's now 55) at Station Casinos, Barbary Coast, and Harrah's, where he currently performs after re-inaugurating his show in mid-June to a socially distanced audience.

As for the "big" part, at one point, Pete Vallee weighed nearly 1,000 pounds, but managed to diet and exercise his way down to 450 in a five-year time frame. He doesn't move around on stage; lately, he sits in a chair the whole time and as far as we know, he gets around in a wheelchair. But his fabulous voice and warm personality have been winning over audiences for decades. Besides, his 45-minute lounge act is free.

And here's a little tidbit we found interesting. According to Wikipedia, Pete Valle's mother, Delores, told Pete she'd had an affair with Elvis almost exactly nine months before he was born. Pete told the Las Vegas Mercury in 2004 that he's one of four illegitimate children Elvis had. If it's true, it certainly explains why he looks and sounds so much like the superstar ...

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Dave in Seattle. Aug-30-2020

BIG Elvis.

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Pete+Vallee&docid=608015065457233489&mid=5C60B87B523D1522E4E95C60B87B523D1522E4E9&view=detail&FORM=VIRE

Boomer 55 Aug-30-2020

Can't Stop Lovin' Big E

Can't imagine annual LV visit without catching one of Pete's sets. Really appreciate his warmth and the E history tidbits he shares between songs. Thank you very much, Mr Vallee.

rokgpsman Aug-30-2020

Wow!

That would be huge news if Big Elvis was actually the son of Elvis, looks like a DNA test could prove it one way or the other. Pete Vallee was born in 1965 in Memphis. Elvis was 30 years old then and still unmarried, he had been living in Memphis since 1957 at his home that became known as Graceland. Pete's mother was a singer in Memphis a few years younger than Elvis, so it's possible Elvis and Pete's mother met somehow and got together, Elvis was world-famous by the 1960's and had uncountable opportunities for "encounters" with women. I don't know how conclusive a DNA test is or how they would get a DNA sample representing Elvis. And the estate of Elvis or the Presley corporation probably has lawyers that deal with that just to fend off financial claims. But you know Elvis more than likely had lots of different female companions over his younger years.

Benjamin Aug-30-2020

Big Elvis is Great!

It's been years since I saw any Elvis impersonator and had never seen Big Elvis. Thanks  Dave in Seattle for posting the link. I watched 5 of his videos so far. He has a tremendous voice. I WILL see him next time I'm in Vegas.

Ray Aug-30-2020

Everyone loves Big E

We saw him way back when he was at the Barbary Coast. We have told everyone we know to see him when they in Vegas. No one has ever been disappointed. One of the greatest "freebies" of all time in Vegas.

Luis Aug-30-2020

A must Watch, and must hear!!

Big Elvis is one of those shows you have to experience in Vegas, It simply is a great show, by a great performer. Mr Vallee is simply put a great Big Elvis!!, must see, and free!!!

vegasdawn Aug-30-2020

Always a great show

It's been a while since we have gone, but it is always a great show.  We like when Chuck Rawlings used to perform with him too.

[email protected] Aug-30-2020

Big Elvis

I would think that the parentage rumor would be easily confirmed or dismissed by DNA testing.  It would be in the interests of Elvis' estate to definitively put it to rest or to settle up.

Gene Brown Aug-30-2020

Big Elvis

Big Elvis is a must see. My first experience was at the BC, which is now called the Cromwell, during which time I enjoyed eating late night/early morning breakfast.We are talking 20 years ago. Big Elvis was a great entertainer and I am sure, when healthy, he would perform to an intense audience. That is what I remembered. Now that I know that you he is performing again at Harrahs, on my next visit to Vegas I will search for his shows.

Patricia Aug-30-2020

Open

Is big Elvis  open or dark because of covid

rokgpsman Aug-30-2020

Big Elvis is performing

According to the Harrah's website Big Elvis is back to performing in The Piano Bar lounge on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 2pm, 3:30pm and 5pm. His show is free. The Piano Bar is located near the casino south entrance not far from the Carnaval Court area. The Piano Bar serves alcohol drinks but you have to buy a food item with the drink because "bars" are technically closed per state order but restaurants are open.

Question of the Day - 30 August 2020

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