Midhurst’s former traffic warden makes it big as Elvis impersonator in Florida

He was once Midhurst’s self-styled singing traffic warden, seeking out parking offenders in the town with a croon and a swagger.

But as Steve Greer’s side-hustle of impersonating his idol, Elvis Presley, became more and more popular, he decided to swap the South Downs for the States and pursue a career as a full-time entertainer.

Now, Steve is famed as an Elvis Tribute Artist in his new home of Orlando, Florida – but will be bringing his international act back to where it all began for one night only.

Midhurst and Petworth Rotary Club has organised a special performance, An evening with Steve Greer, at Southdowns Memorial Hall on Saturday, March 7.

A spokesman for the club said: “It should be a great night as Stevie will be singing songs from the 50s and 60s together with a rock’n’roll pianist from Selsey in the first half, followed by a full Elvis Las Vegas set after the interval.

“There will also be a licensed bar.”

All profit from the evening will be going to Easebourne Scout and Guide hut refurbishment and other Rotary charities.

Steve patrolled the streets of Midhurst during the 90s and 00s as the town’s dedicated parking enforcement officer and often serenaded unsuspecting passers-by.

He appeared on Meridian TV for a feature, and told the Observer back in 2004: “They followed me around the streets and asked locals what they thought of my singing.

“I am a happy sort of chappy but the archetypal image of a traffic warden is of a miserable person so I walk around being chirpy and singing and it throws people out.”

From 2000, he began to impersonate his idol seriously at weddings, parties, concerts and on television and radio.

Finally in 2007, he moved to the USA, where he is known as Orlando Elvis.

Steve has performed at numerous venues, including Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, and even officiates at weddings in his Elvis persona.

Tickets for the event next month are £15 and are available online at the MADhurst website at www.madhurst.co.uk

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