What a night – Music Magic in Mol

“The way I look at it right now, this is probably going to be THE best show I did in 25 years time”. That’s how John Wilkinson predicted in an interview his exclusive show in Mol, Belgium. And how right he was.

Over 400 people gathered on June 8^th at the cultural center ‘t Getouw in Mol to see John Wilkinson & the Belgian lady of Country Music Barbara Dex in concert. Some visitors came from as far as Switzerland, France, Germany, Holland and the UK. Three visitors actually flew to Belgium by plane, to see John perform. About 150 more had their names on a waiting list, hoping to get in.

The United Elvis Presley Society made sure that everybody’s got their money’s worth. To begin with, there was a beautiful museum, dedicated to John & his fellow TCB-members. Items included 20+ original show suits as worn by John on stage, from the gorgeous black fringe shirt (July 31^st 1969, Las Vegas) to the stunning two piece white suit with yellow ribbon (June 26^th 1977, Indianapolis): they were all there with matching pictures of John and Elvis on or off stage. A pair of Elvis Presley TCB-sunglasses, a TCB-necklace, John’s original TCB-ID-cards (both the gold and plastic one), the very rare TCB-album, all of John’s singles and John’s original guitar Mr. Murphy completed the unique, one day exhibition.

The evening was kicked off with the Nike-commercial (3’) featuring the remixed version of “A Little Less Conversation” on a huge screen (hey, why not plug Elvis’s latest single in Belgium as well?) followed by a compilation-movie that threw a light on 40 years of Elvis-conventions in Belgium, with old and rare footage.

One of the other surprises the fanclub had, was a free CD for every visitor. Only 500 copies were made. The CD “A Tribute to John Wilkinson” included a very special introduction by Elvis Presley Himself, excerpts from interviews that John did over the years (1972-1977-1982-1992), John’s first single (1968, “July, You’re a Woman”), a demo version of “Nashville/Sharon on the Road” and a great recording of Early Morning Rain, as sung by John in Mol, three years ago. This officially released CD was limited to 500 copies and everybody in the audience got one. Needless to say these “not for sale” CD’s are a collectors item all by itself. Webmaster Peter Verbruggen wrote the liner notes.

After intermission time, Peter called John out on stage to talk about his late friend and boss. He answered all kinds of questions (“Elvis never talked about marrying Ginger Alden. I know she spread the word after he had given her a diamond ring, but hell, he gave me a diamond ring too and he didn’t ask me to marry him." - "He knew that he didn’t look as good as he did in 1968, but he accepted that” – “Many people have asked me why the TCB-band didn’t stick together after 1977. In all honesty: we were a team, but on a professional basis. We knew each other well and we cared very much, but that doesn’t mean that we were like brothers or best friends. The other guys had studio work waiting, I had long decided that Elvis was my main commitment. But we’re reuniting next August for the first time in 25 years, and I’m really looking forward to that.”)  

I guess there’s only one way to describe the show: overwhelming. Miss Dex sounded (and looked) better than ever, the King of Belgium Band was once again a smooth running unit that provided incredible music to songs such as “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard”, “Bossa Nova Baby”, “Mine”, “You’re the Boss” and classic hits such as “Suspicious Minds”, “Mystery Train” (by John’s request), “Johnny B.” and of course “Early Morning Rain” with Geert Van Lommel playing John’s original Gibson Crest. John’s return to stage was triumphant, there’s no other way to describe it. The audience jumped up from their seats, giving Elvis Presley’s rhythm guitar player a long standing ovation. If ever one could feel love and respect in a showroom, it happened on that memorable Saturday evening in Mol, Belgium. John proved to be a top class act, in more than one way. Honest, friendly, respectful to the fans, and still, after all those years, a wonderful singer. For the occasion, John and Barbara sang a few duets together, such as “Hawaiian Wedding Song”, “Love Me Tender” and the breath-taking “Softly as I leave You”. Icing on the cake was a presentation of a gold record to John in recognition of his love for the fans, his dedication to keep the legacy of Elvis clean as silver, and his unmatched friendship.

“I can’t begin to tell you how much your friendship and your support mean to me”, John said before closing. “I am just speechless. Thank you for being an Elvis fan, thank you for coming out to see the show. I love you all, and wish I could take you home with me. I will never forget this evening here in Mol, Belgium. You have given me more than I could dream of. Elvis told me many times that his fans were the best in the world. You have proven that very clearly tonight.”

All too soon came the intro to “Can’t Help Falling In Love”, John’s favorite Elvistune. John didn’t leave the building though, he signed autographs for over one hour and a half.