THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240258
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Janelle La Bouve
LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Sterling Riggs was reluctant when his wife, Beth, suggested four years ago that he enter a karaoke singing contest aboard a cruise ship. He was much too shy to sing in front of people.
``Sterling was always so quiet and timid,'' said Sam Kinsey of Ivor, a lifelong friend. ``He never got involved in anything.''
But Riggs' personality seems to change when he puts on silver-framed sunglasses and a satin costume and impersonates Elvis Presley.
``The first time I heard him, I couldn't believe it was Sterling singing,'' said John Fleming of Zuni, another friend.
``. . . Naw, that ain't coming out of Sterling,'' agreed Fleming's wife, Linda.
At a recent performance at the Elk's Club in Norfolk, Riggs sang Presley tunes such as ``Gonna Set My Soul on Fire,'' ``Kissing Cousins'' and ``Are You Lonesome Tonight?'' Now and again, he'd stop beside a table to sing to a woman and drape a blue monogrammed silk scarf across her shoulders.
``I had always liked to sing, but not in front of anybody,'' said Riggs. ``But on that cruise ship, when I heard that first clap, I was hooked and the fear was gone.''
His prize for winning the cruise ship contest was a $2,000 recording contract. He used it to record six songs.
``Folks started telling me I should sing on my own,'' Riggs said. ``So I decided to try it.
``I've been told that I sound so much like Elvis that folks think I'm lip-syncing. Sometimes I stop so they can see it's me singing. It's not something I try to do. But I've always wanted to sing his songs because he's always been my big idol. If I'm going to impersonate Elvis, I want to do it with my whole heart and do it right.''
Full name: Sterling Riggs
Birthdate: March 11, 1962
Grew up: In South Norfolk
Childhood memories: ``Recreational sports with the City of Chesapeake right there in South Norfolk. I was one of these hit-the-books type of guys.''
Spouse: Beth
Occupation: ``I am a boilermaker's supervisor at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.''
Hobbies: Playing golf and singing.
Favorite song: ``My Boy'' by Elvis Presley
Favorite movie: ``The Stars Wars Trilogy''
Can't resist: Pizza
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Life is wonderful. I'm happily married and have a couple of wonderful kids.''
Favorite TV program: ``20/20''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: ``Chesapeake Pizza - I'm a big fan.''
Favorite way to spend a day off: ``Catching up on things that need to be done around the house.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY
``I've been told that I sound so much like Elvis that folks think
I'm lip-syncing,'' says Sterling Riggs.
by CNB