17 Best Singers Like Elvis Presley
Elvis “The King” Presley is one of the most influential baritone singers of all time. He set the standard for singers to come in so many ways that words won’t ever do the claim any justice.
He was so influential, in fact, that there are still Elvis tribute and copycat acts in Las Vegas (and well beyond) to this day.
Some will say that Presley is well beyond imitation, and while that may be true, there are some excellent-sounding singers out there who sound an awful lot like him. Here are the best singers like Elvis Presley.
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James Hodges Ellis
Those promoting James Hodges Ellis aka Orion knew he sounded a lot like Elvis, and this fact was used to their advantage. It got to the point where people thought the project was graced by the Graceland star himself (conspiracy theories abound – you don’t need to look far).
One listen to Ellis and you’ll see what the hoopla was all about. He is distinguishable from Elvis, at least in my opinion, but his competent singing style is firmly rooted in Fire Eyes.
Orion’s popularity never eclipsed that of Elvis’, but he did have a prolific hit schedule between 1979 and 1982, with songs like “A Stranger in My Place,” “Texas Tea,” “Rockabilly Rebel,” “Crazy Little Thing Called Love,” “Honky Tonk Heaven,” and more.
Barry Darcy
His appearance on Ireland’s Got Talent earned Barry Darcy some notoriety for his powerful, Elvis-like baritone voice, which exceeded all expectations of judges and audiences alike.
His rendition of Elvis’ “Wonder of You” earned him the Golden Buzzer, and even illuminated his personal story of hardship and illness.
Darcy has a respectable social media following and a couple of singles on Spotify too.
Harrison Craig
Harrison Craig initially made a name for himself on the Australian The Voice. His rendition of “Broken Vow” caught the attention of coaches and audiences alike. Listen for yourself and you’ll see why his smooth, forceful Elvis-inspired baritone voice earned him praise.
He may have a stutter (which has improved with time), but his voice came correct. Craig has had a relatively successful career, with album releases in 2013, 2014, and 2016.
In addition to Elvis, Craig holds Michael Buble, Andrea Bocelli, and Nat King Cole as influences.
Chase Eagleson
Popular YouTuber Chase Eagleson has drawn the attention of fans for his many acoustic covers of popular songs via Crowded House, Harry Styles, America, Coldplay, and Blink 182, among others.
His rendition of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” seen above demonstrates how his “similar to Elvis” reputation was earned. Eagleson is a versatile singer, able to pull off a variety of singing styles.
Orville Peck
Masked countryman Orville Peck is a South African musician based out of Canada. More mystery than man, Peck initially found success with his 2019 debut release, Pony.
I initially took him for an Elvis imitator, but his rendition “Unchained Melody” proves otherwise. Orville Peck can pull off a very convincing Elvis voice.
Peck has two full-length albums and three EPs and he’s either won or been nominated for a modest nine awards. His career is on the up and up, and it looks as though the only direction is up from here.
Dwight Yoakam
In considering singers who sound like Elvis, one who is often forgotten or ignored completely is country star, Dwight Yoakam.
Remember or not, he showed us his best Elvis chops with “Suspicious Minds” in 1992. Sure, it’s more country than the original, but it is a formidable tribute to Elvis-the-Pelvis.
Yoakam has been incredibly prolific as an artist, with 15 studio albums to his name. He’s been keeping busy as an actor and film director as well.
Buddy Holly
Some Elvis soundalikes aren’t Elvis soundalikes at all – they were (or are) the influences, peers, and contemporaries of The King. The legendary Buddy Holly certainly falls under that category. Holly even opened for Elvis in 1955.
The spectacled singer-songwriter’s career was unfortunately cut very short at the age of 22 when Holly passed in a plane crash. His influence on rock and roll and pop is incalculable.
It is said that Holly left behind dozens of unfinished works, along with songs written for other artists.
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee “The Killer” Lewis is best known for his unsurpassed piano chops. He lived a long, prolific life, passing just last year in 2022 of pneumonia with over 40 albums to his name.
His inclusion here has more to do with his participation in the Million Dollar Quartet – with Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash – than anything else. You can’t deny such a man reference.
While Lewis has a voice all his own, one can’t deny certain similarities to Elvis’, especially given his knack for rock and roll.
Johnny Cash
American country singer-songwriter Johnny Cash barely needs an introduction. Even my grandparents know him, and they’re quite religious (although Cash did have his “born again” years)!
Cash, of course, was one of the luminaries of the Million Dollar Quartet, alongside Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis himself. Other than Elvis, Cash is the only one with the honor of being inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Cash had a bass-baritone voice, one that was lower than Elvis’. It’s funny to think, then, that Cash reportedly sang the harmonies above Elvis in the Million Dollar Quartet.
His voice doesn’t sound exactly like Elvis’ (nor does it appear that was his intention), but he was a noteworthy peer and collaborator, nonetheless.
Check out Bouke Scholten from the Netherlands. He had been told since a young age he sounded like Elvis and is in great demand to perform tributes in Europe.
He also was invited to Graceland twice to perform during Elvis memorial week in 2012 & 2017. He has also played with Elvis’ TCB band, The Imperials and Sweet Inspirations in Europe and also recorded with Glen Hardin Elvis’ piano player at Sun Studios when he came to the US.
He has his own great music in both Dutch and English and is extremely talented. His power and vocal range are incredible.
If you want to see the real comparisons to Elvis’ voice go to RAVE Rick’s Audio Visual Entertainment on YouTube and see the duet mashups.
If I can dream, American Trilogy and Return to Sender as my faves. Most are Elvis and then Bouke taking turns singing and an overlay at the end but If I Can Dream is a complete overlay of two separate recordings.
Also just as a side note, Jerry Scheff (Elvis Bass Player) allowed Bouke to record Fire Down Below. A song on recorded as an instrumental by the TCB band as Elvis never got to overlay his vocals on. Great tune just released a bit earlier this year by Bouke
I think he should get a mention here.
How about Terry Stafford and Ral Donner who Elvis had the rights to their songs.