POP MUSIC REVIEW : Lingerie Club Hosts Good-Hearted Birthday Tribute to Elvis

There was a moment Friday night at the Lingerie that some of the more devotional-minded Elvis Presley fans might have considered blasphemous.

It would have been bad enough for these apostles who only remember Elvis as the slim young rock idol of the ‘50s and ‘60s to see Gil T., the rotund bassist in Dave Alvin’s band, walk on stage wearing a mock version of the flashy jump suits associated with Presley during the rock star’s Las Vegas days.

But then-- oh my God-- Gil T. began imitating the karate moves that Presley used to such wonderful advantage during his slimmer years, but which seemed sad, even grotesque during his hefty-boy days in the mid-’70s.

During the instrumental breaks on “Burning Love,” Gil T. teetered slightly as he thrust his arms forward and attempted a few karate kicks. He didn’t go through the motions energetically enough to lose his balance, but it was enough to remind you of nights when poor Elvis underestimated his own condition and almost landed on the floor.

Gil T.’s performance may seem more appropriate for a “Saturday Night Live” spoof than a birthday salute to the rock pioneer (Presley would have been 53 on Friday), but the moment summarized the disarming charm of a night when more than a dozen musicians gathered not to worship Elvis, but to stage a birthday party in his honor.

There’s a difference between respect, even--if you will-- love of performer and the kind of semi-religious fervor suggested by the Presley fans who prize Day-glo portraits that portray Elvis as the other son of God.

The musicians at the Lingerie--located just down Sunset Boulevard from the RCA recording studio where Presley recorded many of his ‘60s hits--were inspired by Elvis’ talent and they respect his contribution to rock history, but they see no need to enshrine him.

Gil T.’s affectionate spoof--and the audience’s good-natured reaction--was both a reminder of Presley’s vulnerability and a declaration that nothing in Presley’s tragic final years invalidated his position as rock’s most important single figure.

It has always seemed a bit eerie that more attention is paid to Presley each year on the anniversary of his death than on the anniversary of his birth, and Friday’s bash was staged by singer James Intveld and local scenemeister Art Fein to refocus attention on the birthday.

“We just wanted to do this for the joy of it,” Fein said Friday. “It’s just a birthday party . . . a time to listen to Elvis records and Elvis songs.”

The program, which started around 10:45 p.m. and stretched past 1 a.m., featured more than a dozen artists--from local heroes and national celebs to a few wild cards (Intveld’s dad )--singing one to three Presley songs each. Los Lobos’ Cesar Rosas also turned in a cameo appearance on guitar.

In all, the singers--including Dave Alvin, Billy Swan, former Stray Cat Brian Setzer, Top Jimmy, Rosie Flores, Ray Campi and Jamie James--served up more than 33 Elvis numbers (from cornerstones like “Jailhouse Rock” to more cultish items such as “I’m Left, Your Right, She’s Gone”) before repeating a tune (“Good Rockin’ Tonight”).

The quality of the performances varied greatly, but there was a generous, spontaneous feel to the evening that was endearing on two levels: It demonstrated once again the strong sense of community that exists on the L.A. club scene, and it shows that you can have an Elvis tribute with taste and heart.