Gilroy ’ s own King of Rock n ’ Roll
Written By Kelly Barbazette
Donald Prieto has an easy grin and an “ aw shucks ” unassuming manner that nearly betrays his alter ego .
Could the 47-year-old humble friend to many and the Elvis Presley of Gilroy truly be one person ? Indeed they are . Prieto is just at home entertaining Elvis fans in his bejeweled jumpsuits as he is serving up delicious food at his Mom ’ s restaurant , Victoria ’ s – a Gilroy mainstay since 1983 , whose namesake is Prieto ’ s Grandma .
“ I was probably the first dishwasher ,” Prieto said .
Born in Mountain View , Prieto grew up in Gilroy , graduating from Gilroy High School in 1986 . “ He loved singing to Elvis records since he was 7 ,” said his Mom , Linda .
” I used to get the broom out and pretend it was my microphone ,” Prieto smiled . About the same time , he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes , a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin .
Prieto ’ s diabetes was managed with insulin shots . And it didn ’ t stop him from doing what he wanted , including bodybuilding . At the age of 15 , Prieto said he could bench press 275 . He went on to break all the records at Gilroy High School , benching 315 as a freshman ; a record that he says remains unbroken .
He did body building for four years , becoming Mr . Gilroy in 1985 . Prieto then switched gears and graduated from cosmetology school and was a hairdresser for five years . And then , Prieto said , Elvis came along and he said that became his passion , adding , “ Hairdressing wasn ’ t for me .”
Prieto said he entered his first Elvis Presley contest the day the Elvis stamp was released in 1993 and took second place .
In 1998 , Prieto suffered a blow – his kidney failed . He began grueling rounds
of dialysis for four hours a day , three days a week .
He received a pancreas and kidney transplant in August 1999 at UCSF Medical Center . After his recovery , Prieto said he was working for four different companies , which booked him jobs performing as Elvis .
He remembers a job that brought him to a company in Mountain View in his Elvis finery to perform for an employee ’ s birthday . The secretary who greeted him asked him to sing her an Elvis song because she wouldn ’ t be able to see Prieto ’ s performance . That woman was Dottie Stewart , who would later change Prieto ’ s life forever by giving him her kidney .
They met again several years later at Foothills Foursquare Church in Gilroy . Prieto ’ s kidney was failing and Dottie said she wanted to be considered as a donor .
“ The doctors said that the only thing that would have been a better match would have been a twin sister or brother ,” Prieto said . “ We ’ re here by God to give .”
On December 15 , 2006 , Prieto and Stewart checked into UCSF for surgery , which finished in the late afternoon . The first person Prieto saw when he woke up was Stewart . By the spring of 2007 , Prieto said he was feeling better and resumed being Elvis .
Each month , his blood is monitored and he pays UCSF an annual visit . “ Each month I say amen ,” Prieto said . While at one time he was taking 65 pills per day , he is now down to 22 pills to help regulate his blood pressure , as well as anti-rejection medication for his kidney and pancreas .
Every weekend , he performs mostly in the Bay Area anywhere from one to three shows . He is a Garlic Festival favorite and sings at many local charitable events . He also has performed for the past two years at Hot August Nights , a classic car and nostalgia event in Reno . He said he derives much joy from singing for people . “ Most of the people hire me for their wife or their mom because they love Elvis ,” Prieto said . “ You get to the song ‘ I can ’ t help falling in love with you ’ and tears are falling from some of the women ’ s eyes because it was their wedding song … it ’ s tears of joy . That ’ s the true blessing .”
He remembers after performing at a show in Reno , a boy with Downs syndrome came up to him and gave him a huge hug .
“ It ’ s just the simple things ,” Prieto said . “ That kid was so excited and he didn ’ t know what to do . That ’ s the true joy .”
Prieto ’ s other true joy is his daughter , Presley , who is a first-year student at Chico State University .
“ I ’ m proud of her . She ’ s my baby ,” Prieto said .
He said besides being Elvis , he enjoys working at Victoria ’ s Mexican Restaurant and seeing friends on Thursday nights , which is karaoke night and when Prieto performs .
“ It ’ s like Gilroy ’ s ‘ Cheers .’ Everyone knows each other ,” he said .
Prieto said he is forever grateful to the town that has always supported him and his family .
“ I ’ ve had a life full of pure thankfulness and so many people in this town have prayed for me ,” he said .
Countless people – many he didn ’ t even know - gathered close when he was sick , offering to bring food or clean his house .
“ It was amazing , just all of the support that Gilroy has given me . I wouldn ’ t want to live anywhere else .”
Prieto said he wants to keep managing Victoria ’ s part-time while being Elvis as long as he can .
“ I ’ ll know when the time has come when I ’ m done ,” Prieto said .
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