Cher Dresses Up as Elvis, Sings ‘Walking in Memphis’ at Love Rocks NYC

Cher broke out one of her best musical bits last night at the annual Love Rocks NYC benefit concert, taking the stage dressed as Elvis Presley to perform Marc Cohn’s “Walking in Memphis.”

Donning a pristine Presley pompadour wig and a pink shirt with a massive collar, Cher delivered a pristine performance of the 1991 classic as part of her three-song set (which also included “(This Is) A Song for the Lonely” and “Believe”). Cher famously recorded a version of “Walking in Memphis” for her 1995 album, It’s a Man’s World, and she’s frequently performed the tune while dressed in Elvis drag, including the music video for her version. 

The ninth annual Love Rocks NYC concert took place Thursday night, March 6, at the Beacon Theatre in New York City. The annual event helps raise money for the non-profit God’s Love We Deliver, which offers medically tailored meals and nutritional services to those in need. 

Other highlights from last night’s show included a three-song set from Alicia Keys, which included a Fugees-style cover of “Killing Me Softly With His Song,” in honor of Roberta Flack. Elsewhere, Beck delivered a one-two-punch of “Loser” and a cover of Prince’s “1999,” while Phish’s Trey Anastasio covered Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times, Bad Times” with Struts vocalist Luke Spiller and none other than Bill Murray on tambourine (spot him hiding behind the bongos).

The night featured comedy from Tracy Morgan, Susie Essman, and Amy Schumer, while Murray took the stage solo, too, to perform Stephen Stills’ “Love the One Your With.” There were additional musical performances from Michael McDonald, the War and Treaty, Mavis Staples, Peter Frampton, Dave Stewart, and Jesse Malin, the New York singer-songwriter who was back on his feet after suffering a rare spinal stroke in late 2023. 

The show, of course, closed with an all-star encore, with many of the performers taking the stage for a rendition of Stevie Wonder’s “Higher Ground.”