In honour of the legendary Elvis Presley, his music and legacy, the annual 'Elvis Festival' in Las Vegas invites Presley-impersonators from around the world to show off their skills - and this year the Melbourne-based school bus driver Vane Crgarov took part for the second time.
Not everyone can successfully walk in Elvis’s shoes or don his well-known costumes.
But for Vane ‘Elvis’ Crngarov, from the village of Kuklish in the Republic of Macedonia, who has now lived and worked in Australia for two decades, mother nature has helped play a part in his destiny.
With his striking resemblance and similar vocal range, Vane was born for the role of impersonating Elvis Presley.
"Even as a child I was told that I look like Elvis," Vane tells SBS Macedonian.
Elvis Presley and Vane "Elvis" Crngarov Impresonator Source: AAP Image/ Mary Evans
"Later on, as a piano accordion player and folk singer, whenever I performed with my band I was always asked to sing one of Elvis’s songs."
These days, Vane is not shy in explaining what Elvis Presley means to him: "Elvis is a myth, Elvis is a legend. Unique and irreplaceable."
Vane Elvis Crngarov himself learned to play the accordion Source: Supplied
"Although he’s not with us, his timeless hits are still being played."
But Vane says he didn't start seriously focussing on impersonating the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" as a young man growing up.
It was when Vane's life journey brought him to Melbourne, Australia in 1997 that he truly felt his calling.
Vane Crngarov is an Elvis impersonator Source: Supplied
“Here, more and more, I was being recognised as Elvis” says Vane, a resident of the Melbourne suburb of Hillside.
Without any knowledge of the English language, his musical talent and perseverance drove him to succeed in his new homeland.
"People stopped me in the street, at shopping centers, wanted to take pictures with me, and to sing them something," he says.
"That gave me the inspiration and motivation to start imitating Elvis Presley, and to also free myself a little from shyness, but also from the fear that it is not easy to capture the image of 'The King.'"
After regularly receiving positive feedback on his likeness to Elvis, the shy Vane decided to dedicate himself to being an Elvis impersonator.
Vane Elvis Crngarov talks to his fans Source: SBS
"I began by learning the language and spending two hours a day watching and listening to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, practicing his characteristic movements and twists, so that I could achieve a more authentic Elvis," says Vane.
Vane slowly but surely began to live as Elvis Presley.
Performances at parties and cultural events followed.
In 2007, he received a dream invitation to participate in the long-running Elvis Festival in Las Vegas.
July 2017 saw Vane took part in the famed festival for the second time.
Vane Elvis Crngarov at an Elvis festival in Las Vegas Source: Supplied
He revealed that in Las Vegas he was presented as a Macedonian from Australia for which he earned the nickname of "Elvis with a Macedonian accent."
He met many contemporaries of the legendary singer, and says he received lots of positive comments about his uncanny natural resemblance.
"Everything about my appearance is natural," he says. "Our Macedonian nature gave me the ability to look like Elvis, his body and voice."
"I do not use any additional aids or make-up," says Vane. "It's my biggest advantage and I'm grateful for that."
Behind this successful husband and father is his family. His wife Elizabeta and two daughters who inherited some of Vane's talent, both play the piano.
Vane Elvis Crngarov preps before show Source: Supplied
Vane first met his wife at a party in Melbourne. She told SBS that she first introduced Vane to her parents as "Elvis Presley."
Elizabeta says "I take great pleasure in organising his Elvis costumes and join him on his journeys."
Vane Elvis Crngarov with his wife Elizabeta Source: Supplied
"Vane’s Elvis role is in no way a hindrance to our private life."
Listen below: part of the conversation with Vane's wife Elizabeta.
Vane Elvis Crngarov with his wife Elizabeta Source: Supplied
A school bus driver by day, Vane has in the meantime released two CDs of songs by his idol and says he has one other wish.
"I want to, and I've already begun working on it, to one day have a two-hour live concert with an orchestra and a repertoire of Elvis’s songs."
He mysteriously adds, "I'm working on another project, but for the time being, let's just keep it secret."
SBS Macedonian presenter/producer Margarita Vasileva was surprised at Vane’s remarkable resemblance to Elvis when he came into the SBS offices:
BELOW: Vane 'Elvis' Crngarov in the studio at SBS radio with Vase Kocev
Vane Elvis Crngarov as a bus driver Source: Supplied
Vane Elvis Crngarov and Margarita at SBS Radio Source: SBS
"The fact that i I look like him is a privilege and it fulfills me," says the self-proclaimed only Macedonian impersonator of the King. "But I do miss him as a musician and singer."
Vane Elvis Crngarov was born on the 16th August 1974. Three years later, Elvis Presley died on the same day and month.
Vane Elvis Crngarov in the Birthplace of Elvis Presley Source: Supplied
Below: more videos of Vane Elvis Crngarov in action.
Vane says his favourite song is "In The Ghetto"
