Guaynabo – The legacy of Elvis Presley is still alive in Puerto Rico thanks to the talent and passion of Luis Enrique González, Puerto Rican artist who, for more than three decades, has paid tribute to the “Rey del Rock and Roll”.
Accompanied by his wife, the television reporter Elsa Velazquez –their biggest fan–, they share an admiration that goes beyond the stage and that has united their lives around the music and charisma of the American icon.
In interview with The New Daythe couple talked about the beginnings of this adventure, their connection as fans of the legendary singer and the preparations for the show “Viva The King Elvis Presley Tribute: A Vegas Experience”, with which they return to Santurce Fine Arts Center next November 22.
His love for Presley’s music was born thanks to the anecdotes of his grandfather’s conquest in the 50s, as well as the fashion, cars and music of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
1 / 7 | Between microphones and looks: the love behind the tribute to Elvis Presley. The journalist Elsa Velázquez and her husband, the artist Luis Enrique González share an admiration for old-time music, fashion and Elvis Presley. – Pablo Martínez Rodríguez
“My favorite movie is ‘Grease’…“My grandfather flirted with my grandmother with Elvis songs from that time,” said the 43-year-old Puerto Rican, mentioning topics such as “Love Me Tender” y “Don’t Be Cruel”.
“Music was always my first love and I began to formally pay tribute to Elvis in November 1994. That was the beginning of everything; I began to study music thanks to him,” said González.
Was there a specific moment when you thought: “I want to interpret this”?
“In the summer of 1994. I remember we were going to El Yunque with the family. I fell asleep in the car, and at that time there was a station, Oldies 94.7. And an Elvis song came on, ‘Are You Lonesome Tonight’. And that song, the sweetness with which Elvis interpreted it, is amazing,” he recalled.
“I was a 12-year-old boy. And while I listen to it, I am transported. I begin to remember my grandparents. That was the song that fell in love with me. And it is a song that I respect so much that to this day I don’t dare to perform it. I still don’t feel ready.”the musician also confessed.
González has more than 25 authorized costumes from various Presley eras, in addition to a collection of 3,000 vinyl records.
What the singer never imagined is that his admiration for the legendary idol, who died in 1977, and his taste for old-time music would be the perfect connection with his soul mate in 2009.
“I was a fan of the Beatles, of old cars, and my favorite movie is ‘Grease’“revealed the journalist from NotiCentro.
“I always say that we were born in the wrong time,” she said with a laugh, in the middle of the photo session with her husband.
“When I meet Luis, he tells me about Elvis, what he does… he told me a phrase: ‘Before Elvis, there was nothing’ (Before Elvis, there was nothing), John Lennon. He beat me there”Velázquez exclaimed when she recounted that she met her now husband by chance when he was performing a tribute show to the Beatles. She was among the audience.
“And here we are 16 years later,” added the couple, who got married with a 1950s themed wedding.
Sharing admiration for Elvis also influences their life as a couple, since both have been part, since 2016, of the “Elvis Week”an event that takes place every year at the beginning of August in Gracelandthe mansion where the late singer lived in Memphis, Tennessee.
At the event, which brings together thousands of fans to commemorate his life on the date of his death – August 16 – González has had the opportunity to perform before family members and former musicians of the “King of Rock and Roll.”
As a fan too, How have you seen the evolution of Luis Enrique by personifying him and paying tribute to him?asked this newspaper.
“I am very proud of him because I have seen every evolution, every change. And every time he challenges himself, he succeeds,” said Velázquez, visibly moved. “One day he was having a birthday, and now he is going for his second show at the Centro de Bellas Artes in Santurce. Every time I mention his name and talk about his projects… and not only about Elvis, but also about his original music. Because he has always been very jealous of his original work and not losing its essence.”
And the artist, a native of Caguas, also plays with other rock bands as a vocalist and guitarist, among them Sonosphere y The Cadillacs.
Now, the tribute artist is preparing to return to the stage, this time with the show “Viva The King Elvis Presley Tribute: A Vegas Experience”with which it seeks to recreate the artist’s famous musical residency at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino, where he performed from 1969 to 1976, for a total of 636 performances.
“Last year we did a chronological show. Now there is a lot of talk about residencies, they are fashionable, but the one who set the tone was Elvis. And I am going to recreate that a little in one night. We are going to do the vast majority of the hits he did in that residency,” he explained.
Through González’s voice, the audience will be transported to the 70s with classics like “Suspicious Minds”, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”, “Burning Love” y “Viva Las Vegas”, among many others.
Velázquez also further shared how he gets involved with each show.
“I am a journalist and I also have to continue in the quest. But when I am (with Luis Enrique), I am the one who does his makeup. I work with the costumes, I assist him and the musicians. I like when there are shows like this type, to attend them, because there are many things happening before getting on stage. There is a lot of love and complicity,” said Velázquez.
Los tickets are now available through Ticket Center, Ticketera.com and at the box office of the Luis A. Ferré Fine Arts Center.
2025: a great year
As if that were not enough, 2025 has been one full of achievements that you celebrate as a couple. It was included in the book The World of Elvis Tribute Artists 2025, which collects details of Elvis Presley tribute artists around the world. He also received the Saint Gregory Awardrecognition of his career by the Music Hall of Fame.
“This year has been very nice. A couple of very cool things have happened to us and we want to close with a flourish at the Bellas Artes,” González added.
“It has been a year of transformation for both of us”concluded Velázquez, who this year joined the Wapa Televisión team.
