Samui Profile
The following is an extract of an interview between Steven Willeboordse of Samui Explorer and Thailand's most famous Elvis Presley impersonator Ritchie Newton.
Samui Explorer:
Where does Ritchie come and what is his background?
Ritchie:
I was born and raised in Bavaria – Germany. Shortly after the age of five I discovered my love for music and joined a German marching band as a drummer. In 1975 I saw my first Elvis movie 'King Creole', and my mother, who was a big fan of Elvis, saw the magic sparkle in my eyes at the age of 10.
From that moment onwards there was no turning back, and the singer Ritchie Newton was born. My mother bought me my first record, my hair changed overnight to copy the King and evenings were spent practicing the 'pelvis' in front of the bathroom mirror. Not long after, my first public performance followed in the local schoolyard and people told me I had talent without any doubt. Then on August 16th 1977, the sudden death of Elvis Presley shocked the planet and for me the world collapsed. While the nights were filled with crying and sorrow, every spare minute during the day I spent listening to the Kings records.
Samui Explorer:
What happened to you after that?
Ritchie:
In the early 80s I changed my taste in music and for the next 18 years it was Hard Rock, which kept me performing. Four singles and two CDs later, I was determined to make it 'big time' and I toured in Europe with many bands to realize my dream. Concerts in Austria, Greece, Italy, and Switzerland were sold out and I was rolling. In the middle of the 90's, still an Elvis fan at heart, I was determined to start my own Elvis Show. Therefore, with my hard rock looks, I had to make drastic changes to resemble the King of Rock 'n Roll. In 1997 I came to Thailand for the first time and the generous people and this amazing country fascinated me. In Chiang Mai I met a Thai Elvis impersonator who was performing there on a regular basis. The dream of my own Elvis Show once again crossed my mind.
At the end of 1998 I had to return to Germany because my grandmother was dying. My grandmother always supported my dreams and encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and some financial support finally gave me the chance to start all over again. With the help of German Elvis impersonator Marc Charro, I began practicing day and night to perfect my performance. Marc's feedback and criticism was invaluable and it was the beginning of a wonderful friendship. Then in January 1999 I was ready for the stage and the first concerts were promising. In February I played in front of 3000 fans of the Spider Murphy Gang and that was the long awaited break through.
Back in Thailand in November 1999, I met Thailand's most famous Elvis impersonator, Jaruk Viriyakit, who invited me to join one of his shows which was later broadcasted on TV. It was a triumph not to be beaten and from that moment onwards I have been playing at least 6 nights a week in various hotels, bars and pubs. Invitations to Hong Kong and other parts of Asia followed shortly.
Highlights after the millennium included performances in Germany and Austria, followed by a trip to China and my return to Thailand. Thailand has an enormous number of Elvis Presley fans and performing on television before millions of viewers increased my popularity and led to performances at many of the largest hotels throughout Thailand.
Samui Explorer:
And nowadays you are performing every night?
Ritchie:
I still perform in 3 areas on a weekly base: Samui, Phuket and Krabi. But I also have a passion for producing and writing music, which I am doing more and more. Soon my own studio at my house will be finished. One of the other things I do is talent scouting; finding musicians, promote them and arrange their performing schedules. Therefore I have my production company Rino Entertainment (www.rinoentertainment.com). The first three months of this year I have also been busy to produce and record the first CD "Night Prowling" of the Fabulous Hepcats, a blues band who are performing regularly on the island under the wings of Rino Entertainment.
Samui Explorer:
So your dreams came true?
Ritchie:
Yes they did, but there is one thing more. I met the original Elvis Presley Band last year on a concert in Bangkok, that was almost unreal, certainly because I was one of the very few to see them backstage. They were very nice guys and interested in my Elvis act. Since that day we are still in contact and they are interested doing a show with me performing as Elvis. This will be a dream come true and certainly the crown on my career, performing with the original Elvis Presley Band! And last but not least: this month I formed my own Band "The Newton Showchestra", and I am looking forward to rock the house big time in Asia and around the world in the near future.
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