PALM SPRINGS, CA - With his superb performance at the Annual Elvis Honeymoon Weekend in this beautiful desert paradise known as “Playground of the Stars” - JUSTIN SHANDOR shines bright in ETA heaven. Definitely a high-magnitude star!
During and after his two-day concert at the Honeymoon Hideaway, May 6-7,2006, superlatives about his performance abound: “Incredible!” “Truly amazing!” “Fantastic!” “Out of this world!”
It’s no wonder, for this young and talented ETA can duplicate the amazing voice and electrifying moves of the King. From the high, urgent and raging voice of the young Elvis, to the superb baritone and sensual, trembling vibrato of the older Elvis - Justin has it down pat.
And the moves! This young man can really rock - legs shaking, arms swinging, hips swiveling - mesmerizing young and old alike. In fact, two older ladies said to Justin after the concert, “You make our 60-year old hearts flutter!” What a nice compliment!
Women of all ages screamed every time Justin shakes his legs and swivels his hips. Reminds me of Elvis’ untrammeled machismo! The admiring audience rewards him with thunderous applause, and a standing ovation at the end.
A lady from England, TRACY ROBERTS, told me she has been an avid fan of the King since she was five, and still is at 46. Her pre-teen daughter, who was with her at the concert, was visually awed by Justin’s performance. She, too, following Mom’s example, will be another avid Elvis fan.
The concert was divided into two segments: the 50’s Elvis, with Justin wearing a black-and-white short-sleeved shirt topped with a gray blazer; and the 70’s Elvis, with Justin wearing a white Fringed jumpsuit.
The SUSPICIOUS MINDS Band did a fantastic job providing accompaniment and background vocals for Justin’s 30 or more renditions of Elvis songs. While some ETAs just belt out songs without eliciting audience rapport, Justin knows how to work the crowd. He thrills everyone with funny ad libs that drew out the crowd’s laughter without fail.
Since the concert was poolside, and it started at 4:00 P.M., it was still burning hot. But most didn’t mind sitting under the blazing desert sun so they could see Justin up close. Some found cooler spots between the pine trees, which still afforded a good view of the performer.
The Annual Elvis Honeymoon Weekend, celebrating the 39th anniversary of Elvis and Priscilla’s honeymoon night, showcased Justin as the “New Prince of Rock-n-Roll.” On the first day, the following also performed: Rock-a-Billy Hall of Fame inductee GLEN GLENN and the ALAN CLARK Band, TOMMY SANDS, JOHNNY VALLIS and STEVE MOORE. The second day, Justin performed solo with the Suspicious Minds Band.
Some close friends of Elvis were on hand to grace the occasion: JOHN WILKINSON, Elvis’ rhythm guitarist; ED BONJA, Elvis’ official photographer, who was selling his prized photographs of the King; DENNIS ROBERTS, creator of Elvis’ distinctive jewelry and sunglasses, some of which were on display for prospective buyers; and SANDI PICHON, who knew Elvis since she was 11, and was promoting her book “Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!”
The anniversary weekend also included a tour of the Honeymoon Hideaway. Our tour guides were CHRISTINE DASHNER, past president and co-founder of the JAILHOUSE ROCKERS OF CALIFORNIA, an Elvis fan club, and MELODY from the “Palms Springs Tour and More.” These ladies showed us a secret passage at the rear of the estate, which Elvis and his bride supposedly used to elude fans congregating at the front entrance at all hours.
The Honeymoon Hideaway was originally called “House of the Future” because it represented the pinnacle of Palm Springs modern architecture at that time. The name change came about when Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon night there May 1, 1967. Elvis continued to use the estate as a retreat from the stress of making movies in Hollywood.
Palm Springs is known the world over as the “Playground of the Stars” because it has become a Mecca for Hollywood celebrities. You can drive down its glittering boulevards and literally encounter well-known movie personalities, plus a sprinkling of the world’s royalty. Everyone from CARY GRANT to LIBERACE, from MARILYN MONROE to FRANK SINATRA and his Rat Pack Gang. Even PRINCE CHARLES of England!
And the most well-known celebrity of all - ELVIS PRESLEY!
The city streets are named after movie stars. This tradition started with CHARLES FARRELL, the dashing matinee idol of yesteryears who co-founded the Racquet Club, an exclusive place where movie stars cavorted in their prime.
Names of streets are a virtual Who’s Who of the movie world: BOB HOPE Drive, FRANK SINATRA Drive, KIRK DOUGLAS Way, and DINAH SHORE Drive, to name a few. It’s the desert equivalent of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame!
Then as now, there’s never a dull moment in this desert paradise. Aside from rubbing shoulders with celebrities, there are golf and tennis tournaments, museums, casinos, art galleries and wildlife parks. It’s also a heaven for shoppers. Like in Vegas, here you can shop till you drop!
Palm Springs, and its neighboring cities of Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Indio and Indian Wells offer a smorgasbord of shops with top-designer clothes and brand-name accessories. Everything your heart desires and your credit cards can afford!
It also has panoramic views to live for! The desert reveals dramatic contrasts of colors that reflect the changing seasons of the year. With the spring season here, the hills are alive with masses of wildflowers - an ephemeral exhibition of beauty that alters my drab perception of the desert.
It was truly an exciting weekend! Since Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) was my birthday, I decided to spend the weekend in style - doing what I enjoy best.
Seeing Justin perform again was such a joy! I have seen him a few times in Vegas: at the Elvis-A-Rama and San Remo, at Johnny Thompson’s PEIA Convention, and at an ETA competition where Justin won first place. From a 16-year old teenager who knew only two Elvis songs when he auditioned for the Elvis-A-Rama, in a few short years, Justin today has a lengthy and varied repertoire of Elvis songs. His early dream of recording some of Elvis songs has come true. His CD entitled “Justin Shandor - A Tribute to Elvis” was selling briskly after the concert.
Despite his talent and accomplishment, Justin remains simple, humble and unassuming as ever. That says a lot for this young singing star! More power to you, Justin.
During and after his two-
It’s no wonder, for this young and talented ETA can duplicate the amazing voice and electrifying moves of the King. From the high, urgent and raging voice of the young Elvis, to the superb baritone and sensual, trembling vibrato of the older Elvis -
And the moves! This young man can really rock -
Women of all ages screamed every time Justin shakes his legs and swivels his hips. Reminds me of Elvis’ untrammeled machismo! The admiring audience rewards him with thunderous applause, and a standing ovation at the end.
A lady from England, TRACY ROBERTS, told me she has been an avid fan of the King since she was five, and still is at 46. Her pre-
The concert was divided into two segments: the 50’s Elvis, with Justin wearing a black-
The SUSPICIOUS MINDS Band did a fantastic job providing accompaniment and background vocals for Justin’s 30 or more renditions of Elvis songs. While some ETAs just belt out songs without eliciting audience rapport, Justin knows how to work the crowd. He thrills everyone with funny ad libs that drew out the crowd’s laughter without fail.
Since the concert was poolside, and it started at 4:00 P.M., it was still burning hot. But most didn’t mind sitting under the blazing desert sun so they could see Justin up close. Some found cooler spots between the pine trees, which still afforded a good view of the performer.
The Annual Elvis Honeymoon Weekend, celebrating the 39th anniversary of Elvis and Priscilla’s honeymoon night, showcased Justin as the “New Prince of Rock-
Some close friends of Elvis were on hand to grace the occasion: JOHN WILKINSON, Elvis’ rhythm guitarist; ED BONJA, Elvis’ official photographer, who was selling his prized photographs of the King; DENNIS ROBERTS, creator of Elvis’ distinctive jewelry and sunglasses, some of which were on display for prospective buyers; and SANDI PICHON, who knew Elvis since she was 11, and was promoting her book “Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!”
The anniversary weekend also included a tour of the Honeymoon Hideaway. Our tour guides were CHRISTINE DASHNER, past president and co-
The Honeymoon Hideaway was originally called “House of the Future” because it represented the pinnacle of Palm Springs modern architecture at that time. The name change came about when Elvis and Priscilla spent their honeymoon night there May 1, 1967. Elvis continued to use the estate as a retreat from the stress of making movies in Hollywood.
Palm Springs is known the world over as the “Playground of the Stars” because it has become a Mecca for Hollywood celebrities. You can drive down its glittering boulevards and literally encounter well-
And the most well-
The city streets are named after movie stars. This tradition started with CHARLES FARRELL, the dashing matinee idol of yesteryears who co-
Names of streets are a virtual Who’s Who of the movie world: BOB HOPE Drive, FRANK SINATRA Drive, KIRK DOUGLAS Way, and DINAH SHORE Drive, to name a few. It’s the desert equivalent of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame!
Then as now, there’s never a dull moment in this desert paradise. Aside from rubbing shoulders with celebrities, there are golf and tennis tournaments, museums, casinos, art galleries and wildlife parks. It’s also a heaven for shoppers. Like in Vegas, here you can shop till you drop!
Palm Springs, and its neighboring cities of Rancho Mirage, Desert Hot Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Indio and Indian Wells offer a smorgasbord of shops with top-
It also has panoramic views to live for! The desert reveals dramatic contrasts of colors that reflect the changing seasons of the year. With the spring season here, the hills are alive with masses of wildflowers -
It was truly an exciting weekend! Since Cinco de Mayo (5th of May) was my birthday, I decided to spend the weekend in style -
Seeing Justin perform again was such a joy! I have seen him a few times in Vegas: at the Elvis-
Despite his talent and accomplishment, Justin remains simple, humble and unassuming as ever. That says a lot for this young singing star! More power to you, Justin.
Zena Sultana
Zena, Sandi Pichon and John Wilkinson
Ed Bonja
Justin Shandor with fans.
Zena with Dennis Roberts
Zena at the Gateway to the Hideaway.
Zena, Justin Shandor with his wife.
Justin performing by the pool
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio © 2006
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