The La Verne Heritage Foundation and the city of La Verne hosted the last of six free summer concerts in Heritage Park on Sunday.
The show, a tribute to Elvis, opened with “Shake, Rattle and Roll,” performed by Scot Bruce, whose resemblance to Elvis was striking – in both appearance and vocal stylings.
As the show opened, a spotlight fell onto the man dressed in a royal blue suit. As soon as the first chords of “Shake Rattle and Roll” pierced the evening sky, the crowd knew every word.
Surrounding Bruce were three men in white button-down shirts and dark slacks, their hair greased back and slicked down. The band consisted of four members: a guitarist, a drummer, a standing bassist, and frontman as Elvis with an acoustic guitar.
The crowd sang and danced along to the classic rock.
Bruce’s love for the music was evident when he stepped onto the stage. His attitude and enthusiasm for the music captivated the audience.
The consummate performer, Bruce even told jokes, keeping the audience entertained through brief technical issues when his mic went out.
Before the concert started, crowds gathered early to take advantage of the Heritage Park store, where they could buy jams, handmade soaps, bath salts, and orange ice cream. They set up their chairs and blankets around the concrete stage.
Vintage cars were also on display outside of the historic Weber House, and a Kona Ice snow cone truck drew the youngest concert goers.
Bruce, an Idaho native, moved to Los Angeles in 1990. A performer his whole life, his love for ’50s rock music and his resemblance to the King led him to change his look from an ’80s mullet to the iconic ’50s pompadour and work on his Elvis tribute act.
“I have not put in an honest day’s work in 30 years,” Bruce said.
Cathy Vanausdoll and Ed Madrid of Chino Hills, who came out Sunday, consider themselves Scot Bruce fans, having been to many of his local shows.
“It’s mostly all about music for us,” Vanausdoll said.
—Giana Froio
Nareg Agopian is a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine.
