Kwok Lam-sang was Hong Kong’s most famous Elvis Presley impersonator and cultural icon professionally known as Melvis. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Melvis moved with his family to Guizhou when he was 13 and Hong Kong in 1974, working at an electronics factory in the Kwun Tong industrial area. It was until Elvis’ death in 1977, the King’s music was ubiquitous on the streets of Hong Kong that Kwok became infatuated and learned everything about the American icon. Kwok, who won his first Elvis imper... moreKwok Lam-sang was Hong Kong’s most famous Elvis Presley impersonator and cultural icon professionally known as Melvis. Born in Jakarta, Indonesia, Melvis moved with his family to Guizhou when he was 13 and Hong Kong in 1974, working at an electronics factory in the Kwun Tong industrial area. It was until Elvis’ death in 1977, the King’s music was ubiquitous on the streets of Hong Kong that Kwok became infatuated and learned everything about the American icon. Kwok, who won his first Elvis impersonation contest in 1981 and soon became obsessed with the late singer playing to the largely tourists and expatriate bargoers who would pay him small amounts to play Elvis songs in the region’s nightlife and bar area Lan Kwai Fong. Melvis had 30 Elvis costumes, made by a tailor friend and two guitars and would wear them out in town not just when he was performing but shopping. The spectacle was bound to draw a few funny looks but it never bothered him at all. His favorite Elvis song was Now or Never. Kwok, who busked in Hong Kong for nearly three decades, was hardly the first Elvis Presley impersonator in Asia but he may have been the most committed. Kwok died of Kidney failure on 29 December 2020 at the age of 68.
