(LAKEWOOD, NJ) -- One of the world's most popular Elvis Presley tribute artists, Richie Santa, returns to The Strand for "Remembering The King" on Saturday, August 18 at 7:00pm. The night salutes the man known as the King of Rock and Roll who died on August 16 in 1977. Comedia Billy Garan will open the night. Tickets range from $25 to $45.
Santa was born and raised in Brooklyn and currently lives in Staten Island. He was eight years old when first exposed to the music of Elvis and he was instantly hooked. As the oldest of three boys, Richie would share his love for music and Elvis with his brother Robert, who is also an entertainer. Trying to sing and move like the King became an everyday occurrence in the Santa household.
Richie's career started in 1982 with a band called Neighborhood Jukebox. Jukebox was an oldies band and some highlights included opening up for Roy Orbision in 1984 and singing live on the Don K. Reed Do Wop-Shop Radio show on CBS's 101.1 FM. Richie also sang the title track to a short lived TV show back in 1989 called Fast Forward. It was around that time that a friend and then unknown comic from Brooklyn named "Andrew Dice Clay" had gotten his big break and asked Richie and his band to back him up at such venues as LA Forum, Nassau Coliseum, Philadelphia's Spectrum. Richie also got the chance to meet many stars along the way such as Jerry Lewis, Danny Aiello, Arnold Swartzenager and Rodney Dangerfield Etc.
Singing professionally for over 30 years and with thousands of shows performed, Richie has covered many different artists such as: Frank Sinatra, Frankie Vali, Andrea Boccelli, Journey, Aerosmith, AC DC, Al Green, Michael Buble, Bon Jovi and the list goes on and on. Although covering these artist are enjoyable and great in there own right, no one has influenced him like the "King."
Elvis is the reason Richie became an entertainer and why he is still going strong today! Being the same height and weight as Elvis in his prime makes his show a more believable experience. Then add the power of Richie's voice and the tranformation is complete. Richie has performed over 600 shows as an Elvis Tribute Artist focusing on the Vegas concert years. Most of these shows have been private affairs, but Richie decided to get more involved. In July of 2011 he was part of Elvis Fest at the Hilton in Las Vegas. Soon after that Richie was off to Memphis for Elvis week. While in Memphis he performed at the Cedar Hotel and at Graceland Plaza and also managed to compete in his first contest Images of The King where he made it to the finals. Since then Richie competed in the Pocono Mountains, Lake George and New Hampshire and more.
The Strand Theater is located at 400 Clifton Avenue in Lakewood, New Jersey.
