One King-sized romance for this Surrey couple (with video)
Presley fans name their son Memphis, marry at Graceland and play in two busy Elvis tribute bands
Four-year-old Memphis - yes, that's his name - gives a not-so-subtle nod to his musical hero as his parents Coby and Jason Palidwar look on at home in Newton. Hardcore Elvis fans to say the least, the family has an interesting tale to tell when it comes to the King and how his music changed their lives.
Photograph by: Amy Reid , Surrey NOW
When she first met him at a country bar, Coby Parkinson didn't know much about Jason Palidwar or his fascination with Elvis Presley and his music.
Palidwar was the drummer in the band that night at Roosters Country Cabaret, in Pitt Meadows, and Coby was just another face in the crowd.
"As soon as I saw her, I said to the guys in the band, 'That's the girl I'm going to marry, right there.' I hadn't even spoken to her yet. It's weird how those things happen."
Soon enough, after the pair exchanged phone numbers and Coby, a fellow musician, began singing in bands that also employed Palidwar, the Langley-raised woman learned of her new boyfriend's "thing" for Elvis.
"Dating Jason," she said, "it was pretty much mandatory that I appreciate Elvis and his music."
Palidwar had visited Graceland eight times already; on his ninth trip to Presley's former mansion, he brought Coby. She too became a big fan, after seeing all those gold and platinum records on display.
At the time, the two were pregnant with a child. They named him Memphis, who is now four years old and loves roaming their Newton home in the kind of sequined white jumpsuit Presley donned during his Vegas years.
"He's a born entertainer," Coby said. Naturally, the two were married last October at a chapel on the grounds adjacent to Graceland.
"We did the ceremony there and took photos in front of the mansion with our 50 guests," Coby said. "Our reception was at the car museum across the street. It was awesome."
For her stag party, Coby wore a coveted jumpsuit Palidwar had made for himself in his teen years.
The King also plays prominent in the professional lives of Jason and Coby Palidwar, who both gig regularly with two of the busiest and best Elvis tribute bands around. They're on stage Friday, Aug. 26 at Surrey's Bell Performing Arts Centre with Darren Lee's Presley-like act (call 604-507-6355 for show info), followed by an Aug. 31 date at the PNE for Red Robinson's Elvis night.
"We're hardcore Elvis fans, for sure," Palidwar said.
tzillich@thenownewspaper.com
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