Elvis ’big legacy: memories from the Vogelsberg and appearances in Germany!

On January 8, 2025, the legendary Elvis Presley would have turned 90. In the small municipality of Heimertshausen in Vogelsbergkreis, a fan commemorates a special encounter with the King of Rock ’n 'roll. Rudolf Weigel, who met Elvis in 1959, reports on his memory of this unique moment. At that time Presley was stationed in Germany as part of his military service and lived in Bad Nauheim. Weigel, then 19 years old, saw Elvis in a jeep at a construction site in Heimertshausen and had the opportunity to speak to him. Presley greeted him with the words "Oh Postman" and shook his hand.

To remind this encounter, Weigel has attached a sign with the inscription "Elvis Brücke 1959" to the bridge. In addition, a statue of Elvis was set up at the bakery in Heimertshausen in 2022. Weigel was a big fan of the singer before the encounter and had played his records in his parents' restaurant. But not only Weigel remembers Elvis; Ramazan Aslan, a 50-year-old Elvis fan from Homberg, embodies Elvis as a tribute artist for 18 years. He began to be interested in Elvis at the age of ten and appeared for the first time at the age of 17. Aslan completed numerous appearances in Germany, Austria, Ireland and Switzerland and visited Tennessee with his son Elvis ’estate in Graceland in August 2023 after winning a trip. In Memphis he appeared in the Beale Street and sang two songs by Elvis.

tribute artist and the passion for Elvis

Ramazan Aslan, who has a main job in gastronomy, regularly appears as Elvis and plans to perform open air on Homberger Castle on August 15, 2025. In addition, there is a memorial stone in Schlitz-Willofs that is reminiscent of Elvis' stay during a maneuver. The former organic farmer Alfred Haberlach, who received an autograph from the star as a child, also remembers a special encounter with Elvis.

Also active as Elvis Imitator is Oliver Steinhoff, who had his first year of appearance at 18. Originally, he did not intend to make money with it, but an experience in 2001 together with an Elvis Imitator from Dortmund motivated him to develop a high -quality show. Steinhoff has been touring Germany since then and strives to become the first Elvis Imitator world champion from Germany. So far, he has participated four times in the World Cup, with the preliminary changes mostly taking place in the USA or Canada. The financial burden on registrations, flight and hotel is a challenge that he has to cope with. In the first round of a world championship, ten Elvis are eliminated, while ten come to the final and only five reach the next round.