For 10 years, from l995-2005, entertainer, actor, singer, composer, musician and consummate showman, Martin Fontaine portrayed Elvis in the critically acclaimed Elvis Story. With his class, dignity, grace, soul, charisma, professionalism and, above all, his outstanding vision and incredible talent, Martin earned the respect of the most discerning Elvis fans, Elvis’ own friends, the world’s top ETA’s, the folks at EPE, entertainers such as Celine Dion, and well over a million show goers in North America, Europe, and Asia who attended his sold-out performances. Martin Fontaine’s unique and outstanding characterization of Elvis Presley in Elvis Story “raised the bar,” and is considered by many to be the “ultimate” portrayal.
But that’s not all. Martin’s considerable talents as a singer, musician, actor and entertainer extend well beyond portraying Elvis on stage. Over the past year he has developed and is starring in another spectacular musical production - aptly called SHOWMAN. He’s also working on his first solo album, and he’s given us a beautiful sneak preview! Read on!
Martin Fontaine was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1964 and grew up in nearby Laval, the oldest of three brothers in a French-speaking family. He recalls that he was always fascinated by the “imaginary” - science fiction, movies, art, and music. In high school, the gifted teenager “tried a little cello, flute, sax, piano, guitar and drums” before deciding to concentrate mostly on guitar and drums. Then, at age l6, Martin discovered the music of the Beatles and it changed his life. He says, “From then on, I knew what I wanted to become - an international rock star. The Beatles taught me everything from writing songs to arranging harmonies, to playing guitar and even learning my English. I started my first band called The Wheels in 1980 and had a dream of replacing John Lennon, never knowing that 15 years later I'd become the King! After that, I played in many different bands playing every style from rock to dance, to blues and funk covering all the hits of the 80's and 90's. The last band I had was very well known in Quebec. It was called Red, which is my nickname.”
It was during this time that Martin’s talents came to the attention of those who were planning a musical tribute to Elvis and he was called to audition for the lead role in what would become Elvis Story. With his red hair and boyish good looks, Martin bore more of a resemblance to “Ritchie Cunningham” than to Elvis, but he learned that the producers were looking more for someone who could project “the soul of Elvis” and capture the very essence of the Elvis character, and who would also be a good performer and entertainer. He says, “I decided to give it a shot and show them the Elvis I would have liked to have seen.” With classic understatement Martin also says, “It worked out.”
And so it did --for 10 wonderful years.
Although words don’t do justice to the scope of Martin Fontaine’s Elvis Story and the masterful way he captured the “soul” of Elvis throughout the years, his performance has been called “beyond awesome” and the production described as “a rock and roll musical that brings Elvis back to life with sublime stage skill and direction.” As singer Eddie Miles says, “This was one of the best productions pertaining to Elvis that I have ever seen...and Martin Fontaine did a great job with the part.. Definitely worth seeing.”
As Martin explains, “The show told the Elvis Story in 15 different scenes portraying the highlights of Elvis' career and life. In between scenes, video footage of the real King was projected to guide the audience into the story line. With a live band and choir, there were 11 people on stage. The sets and lights were designed to make people believe that they had gone back in time, from 1954 in Sun Studio...to a TV set of 1956...to the stage of the Las Vegas Hilton in 1972...right to the end. We also recreated the ‘68 Comeback Special scene and the Jailhouse Rock number from the movie live on stage. Elvis even changed his hair color and girth during the show as he was getting older and gaining weight, but the show finished on a high note with the return of the King in all his splendor singing “If I Can Dream” in front of the huge Elvis sign written in red lights - as if he’d be alive forever.”
Martin’s vision was “to create the illusion of an Elvis who was as real as possible, re-creating the history as it really happened, and being as accurate as I could - telling the Elvis Story just the way it was.” Later, in 2001, Martin officially became the art director of the production, although he had acted in that capacity right from the beginning in l995. He says, “I chose all the songs and the pacing of the show. I also chose the costumes and decided what the scenes should look like - along with the feeling and the emotion I wanted to project to the audience. The show was always a work in progress. We always added details and improved the sets, the suits, the music, the attitude.”
Martin adds, “To be able to play Elvis the way I did, I had to read and learn everything there was about him. I even searched the internet, communicated with people who knew him, watched every movie, every video I could find. I had to know him to play him. I had to find out about the emotions that motivated him to do what he did, or to sing what and how he sang. I had to get closer to how he felt and re-create these emotions searching through my own experiences in life - that’s the actor's approach. Before the Elvis Story, I knew just a little about the man. I liked him a lot although I wasn't really a big fan - but as I got to learn more and more about him I think we became best friends.”
I asked Martin what it was he thought made the character of Elvis ‘come alive’ on stage and evoke a sense of actually watching Elvis. [As I said to him, I’ve heard good singers and seen great “lookers” but sometimes I don’t feel I’m listening to or watching Elvis]. Replied Martin, “In my opinion, I think we should look for charisma. We can't fake charisma.. That’s what Elvis had - that effect he had on people - and I think it takes a little bit of it to create the illusion that he is still here.”
I also asked about the challenges this role posed and Martin said, “To keep doing the best I could night after night, about 1500 times, without losing that pleasure, the fun of becoming him, always searching for excellence, and without getting tired of it was probably the most difficult thing for me to do. I enjoyed the fact that my character was changing as he was growing older. That was also a challenge.”
Of course, like just about everyone else who has seen Martin as “himself” and as ”Elvis,” I was fascinated with the process used to develop his uncanny stage look. Discussing his amazing transformation, Martin recalls, “It took two hours of makeup using only lights and shadows to recreate the man every night - and I used four different wigs and sideburns during the shows - but what made it so real was my ability to transform from the inside out. The makeup was just an accessory. Getting just the right facial expression, coming from a special state of mind or emotion, created the illusion of an Elvis who was very real and alive. I had to feel it to give him birth.” When I asked Martin if he agreed with the expression, “70% of what you see is what you hear,” he replied, “You’re right. I just had to give a little color to my voice, which doesn’t sound like Elvis’, and what they saw was what they heard - Elvis was alive and kicking.” [ I’d like to mention that Martin is being modest again as he is definitely no slouch in the “voice” department either.]
As far as Martin’s interaction with ETA’s and whether he was ever asked for advice by ETA’s he says, “I did become friends with a few ETA's such as Rick Marino, Trent Carlini, Reggie Randolph and Brandon Bennett and I think they were a little intrigued with the makeup -- but that's all. And I tried to stay away from the Elvis impersonators’ world of competition. I had the Elvis Story show and that was enough for me. I think we all respect each other.”
Although Elvis Story was originally based in Quebec, it eventually played to fans in many other parts of the world, and I asked Martin about the fan reaction and compliments he’s received. He says, “We played in Quebec, Gatineau, Montreal, Toronto, Biloxi, Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing and Paris. Fans are fans wherever we go, but I think the wildest fans would be in Paris and Tokyo as they are simply more dedicated to their idol and most respectful towards the artist who portrays him -- his voice and his music.” Recalling the compliments that meant the most to him, Martin says, “After June Juanico (Elvis’ girlfriend from Biloxi) saw Elvis Story she was in tears and told me that I played the Elvis that Elvis wanted to be. I also had the privilege of playing for and with Celine Dion on her stage in Las Vegas -- and had her up on her feet, dancing on the table and crawling on the floor when we sang “Are You Lonesome Tonight.” Then Celine told me I should be working in Las Vegas.”
Last year, after 10 years with Elvis Story and some soul searching, Martin decided the time was right for him to pursue other avenues and to explore other facets of his considerable talents, wisely recognizing that, “I had to leave before I got tired of doing it. I think that the fans deserved to have the best of me and not just the "rest.” I just felt it was time for me to get back to my roots - to play and sing as myself, the kind of music that turns me on like blues, soul, R&B and funk. And that's how I created SHOWMAN.”
By way of introduction, SHOWMAN is Martin’s newest spectacular musical extravaganza. Surrounded by a powerful 8-piece band, along with talented singers and dancers, Martin pays tribute to the music that touches his heart and soul. Using his love of the “imaginary” and an astonishing virtual set designed with advanced multi-media technology he “boldly takes the audience where none have gone before” - on a fantasy musical journey through time and space using the power of imagination. In l8 different scenes Martin re-lives the story of black American popular music -- blues, gospel, rhythm ’n’ blues, soul, funk, disco , dance and hip-hop - from the cotton fields of the 30's to the music of the ‘90's - from Chicago, to Mississippi, to a small legendary recording studio in Memphis, to Harlem and Detroit. The audience discovers Showman’s musical influences as he takes the songs and makes them his own - from Louis Jordan, Ray Charles, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Sly and the Family Stone, The Jackson Five, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang, Earth Wind and Fire, Prince, Run-DMC to all the contemporary artists who have also been inspired by “soul.”
SHOWMAN was created last year in Quebec City and it has already been presented at Expocité in a venue especially adapted for the event. Martin reports he is thrilled that the public and the critics loved and embraced it. SHOWMAN will play at le Cabaret du Casino de Montreal from September 20 to October l4. For details be sure to check out Martin’s website and the Casino website, both listed below.
And last but definitely not least, as if all this weren’t enough, Martin is also working on his first solo album which is to be released in Summer 2006 and will feature remakes or adaptations of the songs that have inspired Martin in his life - again capturing the soul and character for which he is known. Martin has kindly provided me with a beautiful “sneak preview” which I’m delighted to feature here.
But that’s not all. Martin’s considerable talents as a singer, musician, actor and entertainer extend well beyond portraying Elvis on stage. Over the past year he has developed and is starring in another spectacular musical production -
Martin Fontaine was born in Montreal, Quebec in 1964 and grew up in nearby Laval, the oldest of three brothers in a French-
It was during this time that Martin’s talents came to the attention of those who were planning a musical tribute to Elvis and he was called to audition for the lead role in what would become Elvis Story. With his red hair and boyish good looks, Martin bore more of a resemblance to “Ritchie Cunningham” than to Elvis, but he learned that the producers were looking more for someone who could project “the soul of Elvis” and capture the very essence of the Elvis character, and who would also be a good performer and entertainer. He says, “I decided to give it a shot and show them the Elvis I would have liked to have seen.” With classic understatement Martin also says, “It worked out.”
And so it did -
Although words don’t do justice to the scope of Martin Fontaine’s Elvis Story and the masterful way he captured the “soul” of Elvis throughout the years, his performance has been called “beyond awesome” and the production described as “a rock and roll musical that brings Elvis back to life with sublime stage skill and direction.” As singer Eddie Miles says, “This was one of the best productions pertaining to Elvis that I have ever seen...and Martin Fontaine did a great job with the part.. Definitely worth seeing.”
As Martin explains, “The show told the Elvis Story in 15 different scenes portraying the highlights of Elvis' career and life. In between scenes, video footage of the real King was projected to guide the audience into the story line. With a live band and choir, there were 11 people on stage. The sets and lights were designed to make people believe that they had gone back in time, from 1954 in Sun Studio...to a TV set of 1956...to the stage of the Las Vegas Hilton in 1972...right to the end. We also recreated the ‘68 Comeback Special scene and the Jailhouse Rock number from the movie live on stage. Elvis even changed his hair color and girth during the show as he was getting older and gaining weight, but the show finished on a high note with the return of the King in all his splendor singing “If I Can Dream” in front of the huge Elvis sign written in red lights -
Martin’s vision was “to create the illusion of an Elvis who was as real as possible, re-
Martin adds, “To be able to play Elvis the way I did, I had to read and learn everything there was about him. I even searched the internet, communicated with people who knew him, watched every movie, every video I could find. I had to know him to play him. I had to find out about the emotions that motivated him to do what he did, or to sing what and how he sang. I had to get closer to how he felt and re-
I asked Martin what it was he thought made the character of Elvis ‘come alive’ on stage and evoke a sense of actually watching Elvis. [As I said to him, I’ve heard good singers and seen great “lookers” but sometimes I don’t feel I’m listening to or watching Elvis]. Replied Martin, “In my opinion, I think we should look for charisma. We can't fake charisma.. That’s what Elvis had -
I also asked about the challenges this role posed and Martin said, “To keep doing the best I could night after night, about 1500 times, without losing that pleasure, the fun of becoming him, always searching for excellence, and without getting tired of it was probably the most difficult thing for me to do. I enjoyed the fact that my character was changing as he was growing older. That was also a challenge.”
Of course, like just about everyone else who has seen Martin as “himself” and as ”Elvis,” I was fascinated with the process used to develop his uncanny stage look. Discussing his amazing transformation, Martin recalls, “It took two hours of makeup using only lights and shadows to recreate the man every night -
As far as Martin’s interaction with ETA’s and whether he was ever asked for advice by ETA’s he says, “I did become friends with a few ETA's such as Rick Marino, Trent Carlini, Reggie Randolph and Brandon Bennett and I think they were a little intrigued with the makeup -
Although Elvis Story was originally based in Quebec, it eventually played to fans in many other parts of the world, and I asked Martin about the fan reaction and compliments he’s received. He says, “We played in Quebec, Gatineau, Montreal, Toronto, Biloxi, Tokyo, Osaka, Shanghai, Beijing and Paris. Fans are fans wherever we go, but I think the wildest fans would be in Paris and Tokyo as they are simply more dedicated to their idol and most respectful towards the artist who portrays him -
Last year, after 10 years with Elvis Story and some soul searching, Martin decided the time was right for him to pursue other avenues and to explore other facets of his considerable talents, wisely recognizing that, “I had to leave before I got tired of doing it. I think that the fans deserved to have the best of me and not just the "rest.” I just felt it was time for me to get back to my roots -
By way of introduction, SHOWMAN is Martin’s newest spectacular musical extravaganza. Surrounded by a powerful 8-
SHOWMAN was created last year in Quebec City and it has already been presented at Expocité in a venue especially adapted for the event. Martin reports he is thrilled that the public and the critics loved and embraced it. SHOWMAN will play at le Cabaret du Casino de Montreal from September 20 to October l4. For details be sure to check out Martin’s website and the Casino website, both listed below.
And last but definitely not least, as if all this weren’t enough, Martin is also working on his first solo album which is to be released in Summer 2006 and will feature remakes or adaptations of the songs that have inspired Martin in his life -
Hear Martin Fontaine’s adaptation of “Sunny” from his new album Click here for Windows Media, or Here for Real Audio
Many thanks to the multi-talented Martin Fontaine for this interview, and very best wishes to Martin as he pursues an exciting new direction in his career. Thanks also to Martin’s wife Marie-Claude for her assistance. And a special thank you to Rick Marino for facilitating this interview.
Details:
www.martinfontaineshowman.com
www.casino-de-montreal.com
Many thanks to the multi-
Details:
www.martinfontaineshowman.com
www.casino-
Elvis Tribute Artists Radio
Ladyluckmusic.com
