BLUE SUEDE SHOES AND A SPARKLY GLOVE: An Interview With Leo Days

You’d think a career playing the King of Rock and Roll would start with a flashy jumpsuit, but for Leo Days, it actually started with a bowl of popcorn and a TV with rabbit ears. Whether it was watching Michael Jackson’s moonwalk on Motown 25 or catching Elvis specials with his parents, Leo was hooked on the magic of entertaining from day one. But what’s really cool about Leo is that he didn't just "put on a costume." He devoted himself to a lifelong character study of the King of Rock and Roll. He doesn’t just “Shake, Rattle, and Roll.” He also moonwalks.

That dedication is exactly what took him from family reunions to the big leagues, eventually leading to a career where he’s been whisked away in black SUVs to perform for the President. It’s not just an act for him; it’s a craft he’s been perfecting since he was fifteen.

Leo Days has been a music lover for as long as he can remember. He vividly remembers his first eye opening musical experience: watching Michael Jackson moonwalking live on Motown 25.

Leo: It was an event back then. My parents made popcorn and we all sat around our television with the rabbit ears. I knew then that I wanted to be an entertainer. We did the same thing for the “Detroit Remembers Elvis” special, it was the tenth anniversary of the “Aloha” concert. 

Growing up, Leo’s dad watched a lot of Elvis movies, and Leo would imitate the things he saw on the tv screen. He said it was just a little thing he did as a bit at family reunions and such. It wasn’t until he was 15 and his parents got a karaoke machine that he realized it was more than just a bit. His uncle, a police officer, began taking him to bars to do karaoke. Being underage, he always had to leave by nine, but he’d sing some Elvis songs to an eager crowd. After being repeatedly asked if he had a show, Leo decided it was time to figure out what that actually meant. 

Leo: I started to study how Elvis would put together shows. I would get the box sets of CDs and read all the liner notes, and who wrote the songs and such so I’d have something to talk about between sets. Then I started to study the cadence of the songs and the way he spoke. I realized much later in life that I was essentially doing a character study. So by the time I was 16 or 17, I already had quite a few professional gigs under my belt. Then I went to an Elvis contest in Portage, Indiana and realized that this was a much bigger thing than I thought. It was something I could do for a living and my way of breaking into the entertainment business.

Leo’s star continued to shine brighter and brighter. He was part of the “Ultimate Elvis” tour, the Graceland-backed “Elvis Lives” tour, and had even snagged a part in the Cirque De Soleil “Viva Elvis” tour, before his part was, unfortunately, cut.

But Leo’s BIGGEST performance? That would be serenading the president at an inauguration party. Leaving political opinions aside, it was a massive achievement. 

Me: How does something like that even happen?! 

Leo: I was hired to perform at the wedding of one of his advisors, and the president had been in attendance. When the former bride called me and asked if I’d like to perform at the president's private party, I had to ask her if she was really serious because I didn’t believe her.

Me: So did you have to get a bunch of special clearance? What was that like?

Leo: Pretty scary, honestly. I was picked up in one of the black SUV’s. After getting sniffed by the dogs, I was put in this little holding room with some of the other performers getting ready. When I heard the guy in the next door warming up to sing “God Bless America” it kind of hit me. I was like “Oh my God, I have to sing now!”

Me: So did you meet him? Shake his hand and talk to him? What was he like in person?

Leo: He seemed tired, but really I was focusing on trying not to throw up in front of the news cameras and focus on singing. He shook my hand while I was singing and said I did a great job. I just moved the mic and mouthed “thank you” at him since I was mid-performance. There’s a photo of him shaking my hand.

Leo doesn’t like to get involved in politics, and I don’t blame him. He summed it up pretty well: “I just want to sing songs and make people happy.” 

Elvis isn’t the only artist that Leo pays tribute to. I was shocked when I realized that the King of Rock and Roll also performs as the King of Pop.

Me: I gotta say, Michael Jackson and Elvis seem like DRASTICALLY different people to portray.

Leo: Well, you know, I mentioned watching Michael Jackson when I was growing up. I liked him, I just didn’t look like him. Then his look changed.

Me: That is the understatement of the century.

Leo: I saw a friend doing a tribute performance as Michael and thought it looked so fun. I asked him to show me the ropes, and he taught me how to do the makeup and some of the dance moves. I don’t do a lot of Michael in the United States, but it’s a lot of fun. I’m a high energy person that has a hard time standing still.

Folks, I can personally vouch for that. I watched Leo perform as 1950’s Elvis and the man’s energy was endless. I was tired just watching him! Luckily, that amount of energy is perfectly suited for 50’s Elvis.

Me: I saw you had a bunch of shows in Japan. Is Michael Jackson more popular in Japan, for some reason?

Leo: Oh it’s big over there. 80’s stuff is really trendy in Japan right now. 

To wrap it up, I had a series of rapid-fire questions for Leo.

 Me: What’s your favorite era to perform in?

Leo: I do everything from ‘54-70’s, but I really like where he was at in 1969. I like the pace of those shows the best.

Me: What’s your favorite outfit to perform in?

Leo: The Concho. It’s the most lightweight, and some of the heavier ones get really hot. 

Me: How many outfits do you own?

Leo: Not as many as I used to, but I still have 6-7 jumpsuits, the gold outfit, and several movie looks. 

Me: What’s your favorite song overall, and your favorite song to perform?

Leo: “If I Can Dream” but only if I don’t have to sing again. If you do it the way he did and put all that feeling in it, you don’t really have much left after that. But I also like “Polk Salad Annie.”

When asked his advice for aspiring tribute artists, Leo summed it up pretty well with one sentence: Be a sponge.

Leo: Learn as much as you can and soak it all up. Really study the character, study the music, and learn how to entertain a crowd. 

At the end of the day, talking to Leo makes you realize that his career is about so much more than just putting on a costume. It’s the result of decades of "doing the homework"-obsessing over the details so that when he steps on stage, the audience doesn't just see an impersonator; they feel the same energy that Leo felt as a kid watching those TV specials. Whether he’s sweating through a performance of "Polk Salad Annie" or pouring his heart into "If I Can Dream," his goal is simple: to make people happy. He’s proof that if you’re willing to dive deep and truly study your craft, you might just find yourself shaking hands with a President or headlining stages across the globe. For Leo, the show never really stops-he’s always looking for the next detail to learn, the next era to master, and the next crowd to get on their feet.

Leo Days is one of the most dynamic Elvis tribute artists performing today. A Top Ten Finalist in the prestigious 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest presented by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Leo has been captivating audiences worldwide with his powerful voice, charismatic stage presence, and authentic portrayal of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Michigan, Leo developed a passion for Elvis at just three years old. By the age of 15, he discovered his vocal talent and won his first talent contest. Since then, he has dedicated his career to honoring Elvis Presley’s music and legacy.

Leo is a multi-talented performer, skilled not only in vocals but also on guitar and piano. He is one of the few Elvis tribute artists who performs all three iconic eras of Elvis:

The high-energy rock ‘n’ roll of the 1950s, the smooth, sultry style of the 1968 Comeback Special, and the powerful Vegas performances of the 1970s

Leo’s ability to connect with audiences, replicate Elvis’ signature moves, and embody his spirit on stage has made him a fan favorite. He has headlined in casinos, theaters, corporate events, festivals, and on major cruise lines across the United States.

Internationally, Leo has toured throughout Europe, thrilling audiences in France, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Holland, and more. A former Collingwood Elvis Festival Champion (1998), Leo continues to earn acclaim as a top-tier Elvis tribute artist.