Andy Stankovich is an Elvis tribute artist from New Zealand who has been performing since the early 1990s. He is also a former boxer who along with his brother won a gold medal at the Oceania Games in Australia. He has fought in Australia and the United States. His Elvis act has taken him to countries that include Australia, Hawaii, Fiji and the United States, where he has performed in Nashville. He has also been credited with inspiring Samoan musician Alphonso Keil to become an Elvis impersonator. In his day job, he runs a scrap metal business. He has also recently been the subject of a documentary.
Background Stankovich is of Tarara descent which is a term given to people who are of Maori and Croatian descent. In 1920, his grandfather came to Auckland from Vrgorac, Croatia. He headed north to Ahipara to find work in the gum fields. There, he met Hiria Pene, a full blooded Maori woman who was to become Stankovich's grandmother. Stankovich's mother is half Maori and half Croatian. Being connected to the culture, his family in 2009 were attending the third Tarara Day, which was being held at a Winery Estate in the Auckland suburb of Massey. His sister was also organizing a committee for the event.Western Leader, 12-03-2009, Maori and Croat join in festivities by Justin Latif
He is the subject of Ursula Williams's documentary, The King, which portrays him in his roles as a scrap metal yard worker in the day and an Elvis performer at night.Spark Foundation The King Documentary It was chosen to screen at the Sydney Film Festival.Te Waha Nui The Kiwi 'King' of the festival - Daniel Walker The film was one of six films selected by Lee Tamahori as a finalist for the New Zealand International Film Festival’s annual New Zealand’s Best Short Film Competition.New Zealand Film Commission, Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga, Tuesday, 7 June 2016 New Zealand's Best Shorts Announced for NZIFF 2016
Music career The New Zealand Herald has referred to him as Auckland's best loved Elvis impersonator.The New Zealand Herald, 20 December 2014 Steve Braunias: City of sandwiches, bridges and rug gurus Best Elvis One day he was seen by Alphonso Keil who was a seasoned musician. Keil, who had been a member of the Keil Isles and the Sundowners, started his Elvis acts after seeing Stankovich perform.Western Leader, 23-07-2008 Samoan Elvis sings his last, Alphonso Keil dies As well as his home country New Zealand, he has performed in the United States, Australia. In the Pacific Islands, he has performed in Hawaii and Fiji.Western Leader, 16 July 2015 Andy Stankovich is Elvis for six New Zealand shows - Courtney Martin Stankovich differs from some of the other Elvis performers in that no longer uses the Elvis-style jump suits.Stuff Entertainment, 19 July 2015 Andy Stankovich is the voice of Elvis - Mike Alexander
In February 2012, along Australia's Paul Fenech, and New Zealanders, Che Orton, Steve Fitter, Kerryn Winn, Brendon Chase and Melissa Perkins, he was to appear at the Auckland Botanic Gardens in Manurewa in a tribute concert to Elvis.Auckland City Harbour News, 20 January 2012 Elvis rocks the botanic gardens In July that year he was in Memphis, Tennessee for a video shoot. The backing group was Ray Walker & the Jordanaires. It was to be shot at the Texas Troubadour Theatre, on Nashville's Music Valley Drive.Nashville Music News, 25 July 2012 New Zealand Elvis Imitator Andy Stankovich To Tape TV Special at Ernest Tubb Theatre in Nashville by Dan Harr His Nashville show was set up by New Zealand promoter Gray Bartlett.Stuff Entertainment, 19 July 2015 Andy Stankovich is the voice of Elvis - Mike Alexander
In July 2015, Stankovich was embarking on the Elvis: One Night With You tour, which consisted of six shows across New Zealand.Western Leader, 16 July 2015 Andy Stankovich is Elvis for six New Zealand shows - Courtney Martin On 11 July he was booked to perform in Whangārei, which is north of Auckland as part of his tour.The Northern Advocate, Friday 10 July 2015 Whangarei is all shook up
Boxing His amateur boxing career lasted 12 years and he had 342 amateur fights. In the late 1970s, he won a bronze medal at the World Cup Boxing Championships that were held in New York.Nashville Music News, 25 July 2012 New Zealand Elvis Imitator Andy Stankovich To Tape TV Special at Ernest Tubb Theatre in Nashville by Dan Harr In 1979, along with his brother George and Fred Tafua, he won a gold medal at the Oceania Games in Australia. His brother defeated Tomasi Watemoaheke from New Caledonia, and he defeated Phil McElwaine from NSW on points.Boxing New Zealand NZ History at Oceania Part 1, OCEANIA BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS, 1979 Dubbo. Australia Nashville Music News, 25 July 2012 New Zealand Elvis Imitator Andy Stankovich To Tape TV Special at Ernest Tubb Theatre in Nashville by Dan Harr
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