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.

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.

Roy Orbison

Singer-songwriter legend Roy Orbison was heavily influenced by Elvis Presley. This doesn’t always come across in his singing, mind you, because Orbison had a voice all his own. That said, the world is better off for him finding his unique style instead of trying to become a second-rate Elvis impersonator.

Besides his illustrious solo career, Orbison will also be remembered for his participation in the Traveling Wilburys, a supergroup consisting of Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Jeff Lynne, Tom Petty, and of course, Orbison.

His well-known hits include “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “You Got It,” and “Handle with Care.”

Little Richard

Singer, songwriter, and pianist Little Richard influenced anyone who’s anyone – Elvis, Buddy Holly, Jerry Lee Lewis, the Everly Brothers, and more. Elvis even covered one of Little Richard’s most recognizable hits, “Tutti Frutti.”

Little Richard often boasted that he set the foundations for rock and roll. His influence and success seem to bear out his claims. Without him, there would be no Elvis.

You’ll know Richard for hits like “Good Golly Miss Molly,” “Long Tall Sally,” and “Lucille.”

Carl Perkins

Singer, songwriter, and guitarist Carl Perkins’ influence is far-reaching. His songs were covered by the likes of Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Johnny Cash, and even Eric Clapton. Beatle Paul McCartney would even go on to say there would be no Beatles without Perkins.

Perkins’ path would cross with Elvis’ on multiple occasions, and they were aware of each other’s music, even attending each other’s concerts. The two would also collaborate in the Million Dollar Quartet.

Check out “Put Your Cat Clothes On,” “Matchbox,” “Glad All Over,” “Her Love Rubbed Off,” “Forever Yours,” and other hits.

The Everly Brothers

American rock duo The Everly Brothers were hitting the charts at the same time Elvis was. This is a rather superficial connection, but it’s clear they were aware of each other, and if not influenced by each other, then they were certainly competitive.

Befitting of brothers, The Everly Brothers’ harmonizing voices captivated audiences everywhere they went.

Some essential Everly Brother history includes “More Than I Can Handle,” “On the Wings of a Nightingale,” and “I’m Tired of Singing My Song in Las Vegas,” among others.

Chuck Berry

“Father of Rock and Roll” Chuck Berry effectively invented rock and roll guitar. With classics like “Johnny B. Goode,” “Maybellene,” and “Roll Over Beethoven,” he would single-handedly write the rulebook for showmanship too.

Notably, Chuck Berry’s collaborators would include the likes of Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, Bo Diddley, Steve Millar Band, Tina Turner, and others.

Elvis covered Berry’s “Memphis, Tennessee,” “Too Much Monkey Business,” “Johnny B. Goode,” and “Promised Land,” which lends credence to the influence.

Berry was also famously covered by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Carl Perkins, AC/DC, and many others.

Ray Charles

Ray Charles’ influence on music is near incalculable, well beyond R&B and soul. And some even consider his contribution more important than Elvis’. If not for Charles, we might not have Elvis, or for that matter, Aretha Franklin, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, or Billy Joel.

While his early years were full of trial and tribulation, his later years were marked with few interruptions in his success streak, with Grammy Awards, the National Medal of Arts, induction into the Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame, induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and much more.

See “Georgia On My Mind,” “I Got A Woman,” “What Would I Do Without You,” or any of his other hits.

Dean Martin

Singer, actor, and comedian Dean “The King of Cool” Martin is considered one of Elvis’ unspoken heroes. It has been theorized that Elvis’ performance of “Love Me Tender” was inspired by Martin’s style.

Martin had a prolific career in film and television, and he did well for himself as a singer too, with some of his most memorable tunes being “Memories Are Made of This,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head?,” “That’s Amore,” “Sway,” “Volare,” and more.

Jimmie Rodgers

Singer and actor Jimmie Rodgers found his way to fame in the 1950s and 60s with an array of crossover singles in pop, country, and rhythm and blues.

Rodgers was an influence on Elvis, even if only a minor one. As proof, Elvis recorded a rendition of his Top 40 hit, “It’s Over.”

Top Singers Like Elvis Presley, Final Thoughts

Who is your favorite Elvis soundalike? While there is no one that can overshadow The King, there certainly are more than a few singers who sound like him, and plenty who either influenced or even collaborated with him.

Did we miss someone? We’d sure love to hear about it. Either way, we hope you enjoyed this guide.