King Kruk
Redondo Beach, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2008
Music
Press
“Elvis was the coolest man musician who ever lived. He had everything the average male teenager needed and wanted, you know, the ladies being number one,” says City Limits guitarist Les Allen. City Limits is a pop and country band that supports James Kruk, an Elvis tribute artist.
“We do 50 [Elvis] songs,” says Kruk, “but in a 1970s live setting.” He describes his collection of faux Elvis outfits, including “the black phoenix, which is a white suit with a beautiful black bird on the front and the back.” He corrects himself. “That was actually from 1976.”
Kruk first appeared in public as the King as an actor in the national touring company of a play titled Picasso at the Lapin Agile. Kruk says he was auditioned for the part by the playwright, comedian Steve Martin. “I wasn’t overly into Elvis at the time,” says Kruk, “but he was one of my top five dudes that I listened to.”
Kruk’s speaking voice has a little East Coast working around the edges. He says he is originally from New York. He bears resemblance to a trim, 40-ish Presley. Prior to meeting City Limits through an ad on craigslist, Kruk did his Elvis routine solo. Instead of live music, he used backing tracks.
Becoming an Elvis tribute artist helped Kruk turn a financial corner. “We were just barely squeaking by, my wife and I.” After the acting gig and prior to the Elvis-tribute gig, Kruk taught foreign languages at Oceanside’s Mira Costa College. His wife encouraged him to enter a contest at Dick’s Last Resort two years ago. “I went and I had a terrible costume, but I ended up winning.” He says he lands enough paying Elvis gigs now to survive. “It’s shocking. When I put on the costume, people automatically have this respect.”
Kruk hopes to take his act all the way to the top during Elvis Week in Memphis next year and be chosen as the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. Sponsored by Elvis Presley Enterprises (“It’s the company started by Elvis and his dad”), he was a preliminary runner-up last year. This year, he feels good about his chances. “I get better all the time.”
Les Allen agrees. He says that Kruk’s Elvis “holds the crowd’s attention till the very end. And then it’s over and he leaves.” Allen says that City Limits finishes the set minus Kruk. “It’s kind of strange going back to doing our thing after he’s finished. You know, Elvis is a hard act to follow.” - Dave Good
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
James Kruk and his band The "Big Boss Men" have created one of the most unique and entertaining Elvis Tributes in the world. James first played Elvis for Comedian Steve Martin for the Broadway tour of "Picasso at The Lapin Agile" so you know it has to be wild and crazy. Kruk has an amazing "Elvis" voice, look, humor,charisma and those almost NC-17 dance moves that get the whole house screaming. It's vibrant alive Rock and Roll played by the fantastically talented rockers "The Big Boss Men"
James performed the "Elvis" role alongside Academy Award winner Patricia Arquette in the Live Read of Quentin Tarrantino's "True Romance" sponsored by LACMA and Fim independent Directed by Jason Reitman. James Kruk recorded two songs as "Elvis" for the 2013 film "Pawn Shop Chronicles" starring Brendan Fraser, Elijah Wood, Norman Redus and Paul Walker. Director Wayne Kramer said Kruk "Saved the film" with his amazing vocals. His band has headlined many major Casino's and Summer concert series throughout the Southwest and East Coast . They are the only Elvis Tribute to have played the House of Blues Hollywood and The House of Blues San Diego.James and his band currently hold the attendance record and the record for number of sold-out shows at The Infinity Showroom at Pala Casino. Linda Thompson, Elvis live-in Girlfriend from 1973-1976 said of James show, "There is only one Elvis but you come pretty darn close" she went on to say James had the same natural vibrato as Elvis (you can see the video with Linda's comments in the Video's section here)
James worked as Elvis for Microsoft and will be featured on their brand new product the Holo-lense later this year!
Kruk delivers so much more than just an imitation of Elvis he combines his own charisma with the persona of Elvis for a more heartfelt theatrical tribute rather than being a straight up mimic. Kruk approaches his show as an actor as he was originally hired to play Elvis for comedian/writer Steve Martin. in the Broadway Tour of Martins smash hit play "Picasso at The Lapin Agile" Kruks' years of experience as a professional actor/singer make his show more fun professional and audience interactive. It simply is the most exciting and high quality Elvis themed show in the Southwest.
Venues James has headlined
Lake Arrowhead Summer Concerts
CBS Studios July 4th Concert 2016
Saban Theater Beverly Hills
The Rose Theater Pasadena
Chino Hills Summer Concerts
The Town Crier NYC
City Hall San francisco
Banning Playhouse Bowl
House of Blues Hollywood/San Diego
Hard Rock Cafe San diego
Opened for Eels
co-headlined 3 shows with Super diamond
Ace Theater Los Angeles
and many many summer concert series around the Southwest
Kruk was recently chosen out of all the Elvis Tribute Artists in California to open for International Superstars Eels and The Submarines, and Super Diamond!
This show will crack the crusty heart of the most hardened cynic and inject Everyones soul with sweet Rock and Roll...and fill them with Rythmn and Blues.
Kruk's performance defies and destroys the often bad stereotype of "Elvis Impersonator" its real, not a caricature. When celebrities or The Hard Rock Hotel or television networks need an Elvis entertainer they call James,for his high octane Heart Pounding Elvis Show. Voted one of the top 12 San Diego Celebrities to watch for in 2010 by the San Diego Reader.Featured On FOX,CW,NBC Morning News shows. Kruk is an amazing and charismatic crowd pleasing "Elvis" entertainer.
Music producer and writer Ed Decker wrote of their show..."Their singer (James Kruk) was the most animated and most entertaining performer of the evening. His moves, his posture, his rooster-like attitude, powerful vocals, and boyish sense of humor.....James Kruk and The Big Boss Men blew up that room from the minute they arrived on stage and kept blowing it up, with one stick of dynamite after another, until it was over."
James Kruk and his band capture the look feel and fun of Elvis from the Black Leather '68 Comeback Special through the early high octane Vegas showroom years to the Country tinged mid seventies. The scarves the glimmer and karate kicks. The gyrations,the palpitations and pure Rock and Roll will bring you back to those beautiful days when The King himself Ruled! Kruks' audience inter-action is awesome and very moving to behold. His sense of humor is very natural much like Elvis' own and many have said an added jewel to an already very impressive tribute
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