Look for a lot of crying in the chapels if Elvis impersonators become an endangered species.
The local Elvis industry could be in a hunka, hunka trouble if New York businessman Robert F.X. Sillerman puts a stop to Elvis impersonators.
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Sillerman, who now owns the rights to control Elvis' name and likeness and plans a major Elvis presence in Las Vegas, told The New York Times he hasn't decided the fate of Elvis impersonators.
"If we were going to do a show that was based on Elvis impersonators, then obviously it wouldn't make sense to have unauthorized Elvis impersonators," Sillerman told the Times.
"That would be like trying to stop a nation," said John Stuart, the founder and creator of "Legends in Concert," an international tribute show since 1983.
Stuart paid $100,000 years ago to Elvis Presley Enterprises, now operated by Sillerman, for the right to use Elvis among the lineup of tribute artists.
"You've got 20,000 Elvis impersonators out there. He could never stop all of them. Besides there is First Amendment protection," said Stuart.
Veteran local Elvis impersonator Brendan Paul has more at stake than most. Having just purchased the Graceland Chapel, he's doubly concerned about what Sillerman could do to his career.
How big is the Elvis impersonation business?
"Look at all the tribute shows on the Strip," said Stuart.
A number of top Elvis impersonators reportedly make $300,000 a year.
"I did 70 shows a year my last year in Boston (1996)," said Steve Connolly. "My first year here I did 700."
'PAGING BURTON COHEN'
When Burton Cohen, legendary casino executive, showed up for a noon radio interview at the Las Vegas Hilton, he had no idea he was walking into an old Vegas flashback.
While Cohen was being interviewed, Hilton PBX operators announced, "Paging Mr. Burton Cohen, Mr. Burton Cohen" -- a nod to episodes of the "Vega$" TV series featuring Robert Urich as Dan Tanna.
Much of the show was set at the Desert Inn, which Cohen operated for years.
Hilton PR executive Ira David Sternberg, host of the weekly "Lunchtime with Ira" arranged the special announcement, which ran every 15 minutes, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Scott Sibella, president of The Mirage, says there is "no truth" to the Us magazine item that ran here on Monday, saying Lenny Kravitz's villa was trashed after his Feb. 18 show. "Lenny was a perfect gentleman when he stayed with us ... and we look forward to welcoming him back to the hotel whenever he would like to visit."
SIGHTINGS
Blues legend B.B. King at the Cheesecake Factory (Forum Shops at Caesars), tipping $300 on a $400 check. ... At Tryst (Wynn) on Sunday: NASCAR racer Dale Earnhardt Jr., Denver Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey, and chefs Bobby Flay and Stephen Kalt. Earnhardt was spotted at Studio 54 on Saturday night after attending the Rolling Stones concert. ... Fresh from the Vanity Fair Oscar party, Joan Collins and her husband, Percy, dining at Tremezzo restaurant at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood on Monday night. ... Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt and Dennis Bono, teaming up on "Our Love Is Here To Stay," at their wedding reception in the Tuscany Sky Villa atop the Hilton on Sunday. Among the well-wishers: Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, Lance Burton and Gabriella Versace, Freddie Bell, Nelson Sardelli, Babe Pier, Corrie Sachs and Kathleen Dunbar. ... Jerry Tarkanian, dining at Piero's Italian Cuisine with former University of Cincinnati basketball coach Bob Huggins on Sunday. ... Joining George Wallace onstage at the Flamingo on Saturday: special guest Marla Gibbs and actor Michael Clarke Duncan. ... Painter Thomas Kinkade, at Saturday's Volunteer Center of Southern Nevada charity, where one of his works was auctioned off for $10,000 for his Points of Light Foundation tour.
THE PUNCH LINE
"In England at a Kanye West concert, two ushers were shot. President Bush said that Kanye West doesn't care about ushers." -- Jay Leno
