In a case of one was never going to be enough, P&O Cruises today announced there will be two ‘Tribute to the King’ cruises in 2020 for diehard rock and roll fans sailing from both Sydney and Brisbane.
Announced on the forty second anniversary of the day the King ‘left the building’ at the age of 42, the cruises will again feature a formidable group of tribute artists ready to captivate fans with the Memphis sound.
The tribute artists include the very popular Damian Mullin, whose passion for the King and his music started in country Victoria as a child when his mother played vintage rock and roll during long drives to and from Melbourne.
Damian began his tribute to the King career as a ‘singing telegram’ messenger, a job that he didn’t like but one that gave him the confidence to graduate to an all-encompassing stage act and full time show business career.
“I have liked the King’s music since I was eight years old,” Damian said. “I’ve done everything from hairdressing to managing furniture stores but they were jobs that didn’t fulfil my creative side.”
The new Brisbane ‘Tribute to the King’ cruise on Pacific Dawn departs on June 16 for three nights of wall-to-wall rock and roll.
The Sydney cruise on Pacific Explorer is a four night epic celebration of the King of Rock and Roll – it has already had an overwhelming response.
“The Tribute to the King cruises from Sydney already have a fantastic track record of success attracting thousands of fans over the past two years of the best of rock and roll on the high seas,” P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmellsaid.
“We think there are just as many enthusiastic fans of the King of Rock and Roll in Queensland so we are expecting a big response to the announcement of the Brisbane cruise.”
Allan ‘Big Al’ Hazelton said it was appropriate to announce the tribute cruises on the anniversary of the day in 1977 when the King of Rock and Roll ‘left the building’ to become just as big a legend as he was in life.
“Yes, the anniversary of the King’s passing is a sad day but his many fans also see it as a day of celebration of his life and legacy,” Big Al said.
“Love for the King of Rock and Roll now crosses the generations and we see families on board the tribute cruises who enjoy sharing their passion.”
Tribute artists featuring on the cruises include Mark Andrew, Stuey V, Terry Leonard, The Crofts, The Cadillacs, Carmine Cimilio and international Elvis competition winner, Gabe Phoenix.
According to Damian Mullin, the tribute cruises are special for the artists because it is a unique situation to not only be entertaining their audience but also living with them on board during the cruise.
“When you are out and about on the ship you have to be ready to switch on the King’s persona,” Damian said. “I just work on the basis that if the guests are having a good time, I am having a good time.”
