Travelling music show featuring the work of the best Rock ’n Roll musicians comes to Windsor on December 7.
The Sun Records All-Stars has been touring Australia in November and December.
It features the music of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison.
Bill Culp appears as Carl Perkins, Joe Passion acts as Jerry Lee Lewis, Gino Monopoli channels Elvis Presley and Roy LeBlanc plays Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison.
Culp is a Canadian singer, guitarist and drummer who has portrayed several musical figures, such as The Big Bopper and Presley’s manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
He said he was proud to play Carl Perkins, because he had been a great musician who was not as well remembered as he deserved.
‘‘I’m a huge fan of Perkins; I love his music and I think he’s one of the great unheralded figures of Rock ’n Roll,’’ Culp said.
‘‘By all accounts, Perkins was also a humble and good family man; a man of moral fibre.’’
He said Blue Suede Shoes was probably his most famous song, but more people have heard Elvis Presley’s rendition and many do not even know who wrote it.
‘‘Perkins also wrote songs for Johnny Cash, and the Beatles have performed more of his songs than they have by any other artist,’’ Culp said.
He said although he never met Perkins, he felt he got to know him.
‘‘I spent a lot of time in areas he’s from and with people who knew and worked with him,’’ he said.
‘‘I also read books, watched old film and listened to his music.
‘‘To me, this is like a mission, because I appreciate where this guy’s come from and I have the utmost respect for what he did.’’
Culp said he loved his profession because it allowed him to perform roles such as this.
‘‘I love playing the music and it’s an honour to keep it going,’’ he said.
‘‘It’s a joy to be able to do this, although it can be hard on my family life; that is a downside.
‘‘I think people are going to enjoy our show; they’ll be pleased with the talent of the cast and learn something about the artists featured.
‘‘We want to be up there performing and want the audience to be as much a part of the show as we are.’’
■The Sun Records All-Stars is on at Windsor RSL Club, Sunday, December 7. Bookings: 13 18 02.
