Alis Lesley

Who is Alis Lesley?

Alis Lesley is a former American rockabilly singer, once billed as "the female Elvis Presley."

Lesley was born Alice Lesley in Chicago, Illinois on April 20, 1938. Her family later moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she attended Phoenix Junior College. She majored in television and radio, and began singing rockabilly while a student. She was discovered by Kathryn Godfrey, a popular Phoenix television personality and the sister of Arthur Godfrey. With Ms. Godfrey's help, Lesley became a local favorite following her appearances on television station KTVK and in local night clubs.

Lesley achieved brief national celebrity with the 1957 release of her Era single, "He Will Come Back to Me" b/w "Heartbreak Harry". Lesley's stage persona as "The Female Elvis Presley" included a guitar slung around her neck, greased-back hair, and combed-down sideburns.

She toured Australia in October 1957 with Little Richard, Eddie Cochran, Gene Vincent and local rocker Johnny O'Keefe. The tour was cut short when Richard underwent a "religious experience" and he retired from rock'n'roll for several years.