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Written by Matt Simoncavage
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Tuesday, 15 March 2011 17:22 |
 Growing up, Josh Slosky took an interest in the early pioneers of rock & roll rather than listening to what was current and popular. Above all of the musical acts throughout the 1950s and 1960s, one man especially caught Slosky’s eye and began to have an impact on everything he wanted to be. That man was the late, great Elvis Presley. The way he could captivate a crowd with his presence, his dancing, and especially his music, amazed him. The more he listened to Elvis and learned more about him, the more he wanted to be just like his idol. And that’s exactly what he’s done.
Slosky isn’t your average 20-year-old when it comes to music and style. Most people of college age nowadays may have heard of Elvis, but it is doubtful that they would hail the King of Rock & Roll as their favorite musician. Then again, most people probably wouldn’t walk around everyday wearing a vintage ‘50s spiked leather jacket and perfectly slicked back hair. Slosky has been doing this since he was very little, which is what makes him so unique and well-known in and around Nanticoke. It is also how he pays tribute to Elvis every day.
Soon after falling in love with Elvis’s music, Slosky looked for other ways he could pay tribute. He had taken piano lessons since he was young and had become quite an amazing player. In his free time he would learn the songs, along with other great hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s. After a long period of playing for his amily and friends, and seeing their reactions, an idea slowly developed.
Slosky pulled a band of some close friends and high school band mates together one day after asking the youth director of his church parish if there was some way he could put on a concert honoring Elvis Presley. Months later, he and his newly formed band found themselves performing old Elvis songs mixed with some of his own creations during a concert at the old Pope John Paul II School auditorium on November 21, 2007. The concert was met with much support from about 100 of his fellow parishioners and classmates.
On February 28, 2009, Slosky was once again the center of attention in his own tribute concert at the Greater Nanticoke High School auditorium, a much bigger venue. This second concert was held as part of his senior project and was met with even more support from local fans, whose ticket money was used after the concert to purchase a stone memorial bench in the courtyard of the school that honors deceased students of the district.
With his local fame growing, Slosky received news that he was wanted for yet another concert at the school auditorium. However, this time he would perform with two other Elvis tribute artists in an “Elvis Through the Years” show to fight polio. Jimmy T., of Dupont, would perform first, followed by Dave Yefko, of Plymouth, leaving Slosky to close the show. The concert was held on March 12, 2010 and once again met with great support from a very large crowd. The young performer was seen as somewhat of a “hometown hero” during his act, and he and his band left everyone in amazement at the end of a flashy and energetic tribute to the King.
Since these concerts, Slosky has kept the spirit of Elvis alive by doing many private tributes at parties and banquets. He has also become quite a prodigy of the piano to many of his local followers who have heard him play some of his own tunes mixed in at the tribute concerts and other functions. He has mastered the instrument and is able to play very complicated music without needing practice or sheet music. He has recently been working on recording a CD to showcase his piano talent. Expect some familiar Elvis tunes to show up on the album as well.
Slosky also plans to once again take people back to the ‘50s in another Elvis tribute in June, at Mansfield University.
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