A Colombian man officially renamed himself Elvis Presley to pay homage to “the King,” who would have celebrated his 75th birthday on friday.
Elmer Galindo, a 39-year-old former military serviceman from the Colombian city of Armenia, has officially changed his name to Elvis Presley as one of the final steps towards total emulation of his beloved hero.
“I wanted to make it a tribute … I had problems with my colonel when I wanted to grow my hair and sideburns and so I abandoned my military life,” declared Galindo, who takes the utmost pride in the upkeep of his locks, and swears by a secret formula for making his hair look just as brilliant as Presley’s did in his day.
“Without the Elvis hairdo and sideburns, I am nobody,” he proclaimed, adding that he once refused an offer of COP200,000 to change his look, reported El Tiempo Friday.
Galindo has been besotted by the King of Rock n’ Roll since early childhood. He lived for two years in Bogota to pursue his dream of being an actor, as Elvis was.
Galindo also plays guitar and has worked as an extra in various national soap operas, claiming he maintained his Elvis style in every role he played.
“Elvis is a god for me and a king, because he has given me a lot. When I go to a job interview I pray to my posters. Although I believe in God, I pray first to the King of Rock n’ Roll,” concluded Galindo.