Alis Lesley

Alis Lesley (born Alice Lesley or Alice Leslie;[1][2] April 20, 1938) is an American former rockabilly singer, once billed as "the female Elvis Presley."[3][4][5][6]

Alis Lesley
BornAlice Leslie Edit this on Wikidata
20 April 1938 Edit this on Wikidata (age 85)
Chicago Edit this on Wikidata
OccupationSinger, educator Edit this on Wikidata
Stylerock music, rockabilly Edit this on Wikidata
Musical career
Instrument(s)
  • voice
  • guitar
Years active1956–1959
LabelsEra Records
Formerly ofArizona Stringdusters

Early life

Lesley was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Her family later moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she attended Phoenix Junior College. She majored in television and radio, and began singing rockabilly while a student. She was discovered by Kathryn Godfrey, a popular Phoenix television personality and the sister of Arthur Godfrey. With Kathryn Godfrey's help, Lesley became a local favorite following her appearances on television station KTVK and in local night clubs.[7]

Career

Lesley achieved brief national celebrity with the 1957 release of her Era single, "He Will Come Back to Me" backed with "Heartbreak Harry" (Era Records 45-1034).[8] Lesley's stage persona as "The Female Elvis Presley" included a guitar slung around her neck, greased-back hair, and combed-down sideburns.[3]

She toured Australia in October 1957 with Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent, and local rocker Johnny O'Keefe.[9] The tour was cut short when Richard underwent a "religious experience" and he retired from rock and roll for several years.

Legacy

A picture of Lesley between Little Richard and Eddie Cochran appears on the cover of The Philosophy of Modern Song written by Bob Dylan.[10]

References
  1. "Lesley, Alis". Women in Rock & Roll's First Wave. August 29, 2015. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  2. "Sun Records". Sun Records - 706 Union Avenue Sessions. Archived from the original on October 22, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  3. "Ace Records". Ace Records. Archived from the original on January 16, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  4. Telegraph, 2017-12:00AMThe Daily (October 11, 2017). "Little Richard saw Sputnik as a sign from God". dailytelegraph. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  5. "El Sótano - 50's RnR y Rockabilly - 13/04/16". RTVE.es (in Spanish). April 13, 2016. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  6. Tochka, Nicholas. "Rock and roll and nuclear weapons: how the Cold War shaped Little Richard". The Conversation. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  7. "Alis Lesley – Free listening, videos, concerts, stats and pictures at". Last.fm. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  8. "Rocking Country Style listing"
  9. "98/77/7 Concert program, "Lee Gordon Presents the Big Show Rock 'n' Roll with Little Richard", paper, printed by Publicity Press Pty Ltd, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1957 - Powerhouse Museum Collection". Powerhousemuseum.com. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  10. Kriticos, Christian (October 21, 2022). "Alis Lesley: the 'female Elvis' who takes centre stage on Bob Dylan's new book cover". The Guardian. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
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