Elvis drives Arocs: the story of Christian Pantillon and his idol
Panorama
Motor sport used to be Christian Pantillon’s thing. Professionally, however, he still sits at the steering wheel. His great idol did the same job, after all.
Whose index finger can keep still on the steering wheel when the radio plays an Elvis hit? Certainly not Christian Pantillon’s. For the Swiss truck driver, the King of Rock ’n’ Roll is a big part of his life. Christian – who drives an Arocs 4451 for a living – is an Elvis Presley impersonator, and anyone who has seen one of his performances knows just how serious he is about it. The self-driving entrepreneur from French-speaking Switzerland puts a great deal of passion into his shows with the band Chris Aaron & The Memphis Knights. His hairstyle and outfits, for example, are just like the original. By the way, “Aaron” was Elvis Presley’s middle name.
But rock ’n’ roll is actually just a substitute occupation for Christian. In the 1980s, he started a career in motor sports and drove kart races – among others against an exceptional talent named Michael Schumacher. In 1986, he even made it to the finals of the European Championships. Stints in Formula Ford and Formula 3 followed. He gave up his job in a bakery for motor sport and started as a truck driver in his father’s company. When he was over 30, Christian ended his time as a racing driver – the financial outlay simply became too great.
“I couldn’t sit around at home on weekends and do nothing.”
– Christian Pantillon
Elvis hits in the cab.
In a comment made to Swiss Camion – the road transport trade magazine for Switzerland – Christian ultimately gave a fairly simple explanation as to why he became more and more involved with the King of Rock ’n’ Roll after his time in racing: “I couldn’t sit around at home on weekends and do nothing.” In the beginning, he sang Elvis hits at karaoke events, listening to them in the truck during the day. Now he plays with his band in western and German-speaking Switzerland and abroad.
Christian was just 13 years old when he saw a live concert by Elvis from Hawaii in January 1973. The spark, he says, was already there. The fascination never let go of him. And it is somehow very fitting that Elvis Presley, before his big breakthrough, had also worked as a truck driver.
Sometimes Christian gets behind the wheel in his stage costume. He picked up his new Arocs at the Mercedes‑Benz Trucks branch in Granges-Paccot, Fribourg – sporting a very cool King of Rock ’n’ Roll outfit.
Photos: Charly Pantillon, Swiss Camion
Comment
Please log in to post a comment.
8 comments
Der King lebt also doch!
Grüße Jörg 👍👍👍👍👍⛟😎😷
Der King lebt also doch!
Grüße Jörg 👍👍👍👍👍⛟😎😷
Allzeit gute Fahrt und weiterhin auch viel Spass beim auftritt als ELVIS ....
Gruss
Andreas
Allzeit gute Fahrt und weiterhin auch viel Spass beim auftritt als ELVIS ....
Gruss
Andreas