Dean Z

Dean Zeligman, better known as Dean Z, is an American Elvis Presley impersonator and singer. Originally from Lancaster, California, Dean has become an acclaimed Elvis impersonator, winning the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist in 2013.

## Biography

### Early Years

When Dean was 3, the documentary "This Is Elvis" was being broadcast on television. He immediately cleared the coffee table, jumped on top of it and started trying to imitate Presley’s every move. Not long after, Dean's mother made his first Elvis jumpsuit, and he was on his way. "The first song I sang on stage was ‘Jailhouse Rock.’ Every time I shook the audience would scream, and I’ve been shaking ever since," Z said.

### Performing Live

After performing in several shows of his own, Dean took off for the bright light city that would set his soul on fire, Las Vegas, at age 17. He relocated to the entertainment mecca to attain the goal of establishing himself as a well-known act. Throughout the next 12 years, Dean performed in Vegas, and has paid tribute to "The Memphis Flash" in Japan, Australia, Norway, Denmark, England, across Canada and the United States. Dean soon earned a spot with the World's Greatest Live Tribute Show, "Legends in Concert," then in 2007, moved to headlining the show in Branson, Missouri. "There's just the right amount of production without watering down the authentic spirit of Elvis in the 50's," Dean says of his daily shows at Legends, Branson. As soon as Dean takes the stage, the stakes are automatically raised. Any preconceived notions are quickly dispatched as Dean takes the form of "The Rockabilly Cat" and never lets up. The young, smooth, grinning rebel Elvis with shiny black hair that is the envy of every man who may ever lay eyes on it comes alive in front of your very eyes.

### Sun Studio

In 2008, Dean, his 22 year old guitarist and brother Daniel, stand up bass player Rob Edwards and crew produced an amazing musical documentary and CD album collaboration filmed and recorded at the legendary Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee. Sun Studio is universally considered the birthplace of rock and roll, launching the careers of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, "Howlin'" Wolf, Roy Orbison and Carl Perkins. This album-documentary chronicles Elvis’ entire musical catalog from early Sun Studio sessions. The sessions were painstakingly recreated using some of the same equipment that Elvis himself used in that very same studio. Producers also added "snaps," "pops" and "hisses" during post-production to match the original recordings.

### Ultimate Elvis 2013

In 2013, Dean decided it was time to go after the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist. Sanctioned by Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. The Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ involved hundreds of Elvis tribute artists competing in 29 preliminary events all over the world for an invitation to the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™ Semi-Finals in Memphis during Elvis Week.Dean nailed down a trip to the Semi-Finals by winning the Preliminary held during the Rockin’ Elvis Fest” on March 17 at the Pala Casino, in Pala, California. He and the 28 other semi-finalists competed for the top ten spots on August 14th with the Finals coming three days later. Dean performed a version of "Jailhouse Rock" that had the crowd worked into a frenzy. He brought the house down, and was soon presented with a championship belt, the title of Ultimate Elvis 2013 from EPE, a check for $20,000 and tens of thousands of new fans.

### Touring Live & Graceland

The year 2014 was a banner year for Dean, who received the Heart Of The King Award in Las Vegas at the former Las Vegas Hilton, on the same stage the Elvis himself performed over 700 shows during the 1970’s. He also fulfilled a childhood dream of performing for the flagship Legends In Concert production in Las Vegas at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino. Dean also had the pleasure of being a part of the national touring production Elvis Lives, a live musical highlighting Elvis’ career that features world champions from the Ultimate Elvis® Tribute Artist Contest™. Following the worldwide success of "Elvis Lives," Dean saw his career continue to skyrocket as several lifelong dreams came to fruition. In addition to being one of the most sought-after E.T.A.s in the country, Dean also became an official host during the annual Elvis Week celebration in Memphis in 2015, 2016 & 2017, serving as an ambassador to Graceland and the Elvis Presley estate.

"Working so closely with Graceland and the Elvis Presley estate as a direct ambassador to Elvis Presley’s brand means the world to me, both as an entertainer, as well as a lifelong Elvis fan," he said. "But to work hand-in-hand with the estate, that's a goal I've had since the beginning of my professional career."

Being an official host for Elvis Week and working together with EPE gave Dean the chance to tackle several media projects. This included a massive, world-wide internet ad campaign for the global electronics company Philips called "A Little More Action" to help promote living a healthy lifestyle. Along with Keith Hart, an amateur Elvis Tribute Artist, Dean co-starred in the short film which highlights Dean training Hart to fulfill his lifelong dream of performing on stage as the King of Rock and Roll.

### *The Dean Z Show*

As Dean's success as an entertainer and personality grew, so did his creativity. Dean combined his life, love, passion and influences to create a unique concert and show experience, with Broadway-worthy dance moves and spontaneous audience interaction called "The Dean Z Show." The new production debuted in Memphis, Tennessee during Elvis Week 2016. The show featured Dean's boundless

   energy and youthful exuberance as he accompanies the audience on an eclectic musical journey into the bygone eras of soul, rockabilly, rock 'n' roll, pop, and rhythm and blues. During the production, the award-winning and internationally acclaimed entertainer performed the music that inspired his passion for performance, including songs from Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Buddy Holly, Michael Jackson, Sam Cooke and so many others. These songs not only have an ageless appeal, but Dean belted them out with a contemporary, yet timeless flavor, exposing an entirely new generation to this
music.  Since its sold out premiere, “The Dean Z Show” has been mesmerizing audiences of all ages across the country, and will continue to do so throughout 2017 and 2018.

## Music

The Nashville SessionsHe Walks With MeFrom Rebel To RoyaltyThe Sun Sessions

## Trivia

* Dean Z has been used as an Elvis Presley model, where his face is replaced with that of the real Elvis Presley's.
* His sister, Marie Zeligman, is a country and rock n' roll singer.
* His brother, Daniel Zeligman, is the lead guitarist for *The Dean Z Show*.
* "He is the only Elvis tribute artist to host SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio channel," according to his official website.

## References

1. ↑ Instagram. deanzofficial. "She is my everything ~ Happy Birthday to my darling wife Stephanie Zeligman ❤❤❤❤" https://www.instagram.com/p/BQLY820g3vY/
2. ↑ Instagram. deanzofficial. "Everly Jo, our little world, turns 2 today. Where does the time go. 🥲 I’m so proud to be her Dad. I’ll always be there for you my darling girl. Your mom and I treasure you… we are so lucky ~💛" https://www.instagram.com/p/CU4qEU2shRN/?img\_index=1
3. ↑ Facebook. Dean Z. October 4, 2019. "Happy Birthday to my brother, the most talented, kindest person I know! I love you Danny Zeligman, my life long built in best friend... Enjoy your special day with your beautiful family, and I'll see you when I get home from tour!" https://www.facebook.com/deanzaselvis/posts/happy-birthday-to-my-brother-the-most-talented-kindest-person-i-know-i-love-you-/1597144397089321/
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Facebook. Dean Z. January 16, 2022. "Check out my sister’s music page, she’s awesome! ⚡️" https://www.facebook.com/deanzaselvis/posts/499001608263774/
5. ↑ YouTube. Betty Rosenblatt. April 15, 2019. "Dean Z and his nephew Nathan." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGKjhfnV5Xc
6. ↑ Instagram. deanzofficial. https://www.instagram.com/deanzofficial/?hl=en
7. ↑ Legends in Concert. "Elvis - Dean Z." https://legendsinconcert.com/performers/elvis-landing-page/elvis-dean-z/
8. ↑ YouTube. Dean Z As Elvis. July 24, 2020. "Elvis CGI - Fiat The Legend." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDQOPmAvpwc
9. ↑ YouTube. Dean Z As Elvis. August 2, 2020. "Elvis CGI - Backstage at The Ed Sullivan Show 1957." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey9GioQIL4g
10. ↑ Facebook. Danny Zeligman. About. https://www.facebook.com/danny.zeligman/about

## Footnotes

1. ↑ This biography is taken from Dean Z's official website. For the original biography, click here.