I recently asked my mum, about dads previous life, but she said she never wanted to marry a Rock 'n' Roll singer on tour and I guess that was cool with my Dad as they had a great life until his passing in 2001. 

I also asked my aunt, my fathers younger sister Doris Mizzi - Vella about dad as she went to all his gigs, She said their band was amazing and had a massive following all across south west London. One time Doris told me she went down to the country where dad was posted in the army as he had a weekend off, and so they decidedput a gig on at a local venue. She said the train was unusually packed, only to realise that hundreds of teenagers were making their way to see my Dads band, this happened more than once.

Dad would reminisce about those days and tell us stories about the band and how his brother Freddy made a bass box with an old broomstick, a soap box and some twine, depending on the angle of the stick and tension on the twine the bass would come out of the box which had a hole in it.

At some point the band got themselves a manager, and with that a new double bass player. lead guitarist and a piano player, and finally a new lead singer Ray Pilgrim which took the band to winning 1958 the Elvis Presley Cup.

The Earthquakers quickly gained a large following, becoming very popular around South London and they soon became resident three nights a week at the Union Tavern, Camberwell. The landlord of the Union Tavern was Dave McCleave a well known boxer who had represented Great Britain in the 1932 Olympics and won Gold at the 1934 Empire Games before winning the UK professional Welterweight title in 1936. 

The Union Tavern had a large open area at the back which was used for boxing as well as for music Dave would encourage young kids to box at the Union, but it’s also the area where The Earthquakers played.  In this video below from 1957 you can see exactly how the pub would have looked back then.

With Ray as lead singer, their popularity rapidly grew, and the Union would get packed out on Earthquaker nights, bursting at the seams with literally hundreds of followers. And if ever the crowd got too rowdy (which on occasions they did) it was useful having a powerful boxer like Dave on hand to sort them out and calm them down! and lets face it, after seeing Dave in that video above would you argue with him !!!

My Dad & Elvis Live on in me as a Rock n Roll Singer & an ETA

Like so many 50+ year olds I remember the day Elvis Presley died. My Dad came in to my bedroom ( I was 10) with tears in his eyes and told me Elvis had passed away. I cried all night like I lost a brother or close family member. Elvis was part of our family, we sang his songs, dad would tell us stories of that night in Shepards Bush, London in 1958 where they won the Elvis Presley Cup and like so many, Elvis was part of our lives.

Today the Rock n Roll influences of my father, the music and spiritual connection with Elvis Presley has led me on the path to become a Professional Elvis Tribute Artist or ETA.

Being an ETA, is a different thing to just singing, it's difficult to explain, but when you put on a jumpsuit, step on stage it's like you are channeling the KING through his music. Almost like a calling - It's an amazing thing and more importantly an honour to be part of this, sharing his music to others, and while I may not sound exactly like Elvis himself, sharing those songs, watching the audience enjoy themselves to songs they remember growing up and feeling what my father must have felt on stage back in 1958 makes me very proud to be part of a Rock n Roll life that for me my old dad introduced me to.

I often wonder what he would have thought if he was alive today and take solace in thinking he's probably looking down on me proudly saying "That's My Boy"

Dedicated to my Father Charlie Mizzi ( who spelt his stage name Mitzi so it could be produced correctly LOL ) What's he like. Love you mate your Son Doug x