NILES — Elvis Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977, 42 years ago at age 42. However, the Niles Summer Concert Series will soon be bringing him back to life.

Tonight, Elvis tribute artist Tim Dudley will perform at 6 p.m. on Niles’ Riverfront Park amphitheater stage for the Niles Summer Concert Series.

When event organizer Caryn Adler presented the list of Thursdays Dudley could choose to perform on, he said it felt right to choose a date that could help celebrate Presley’s life.

Dudley has performed at previous iterations of the Niles Summer Concert Series. He said his latest performance there helped him receive a surge of interest.

“Niles has always been good to me. This city is amazing,” said the South Bend resident. “I love small towns.”

On Aug. 7, he received his thousandth “like” on Facebook. Earlier this year, he became an inductee into the International Elvis Tribute Artist Hall of Fame.

It is Dudley’s 15th year singing, dancing and changing suits to the tune of Elvis. He said he has no intention of giving it up, hoping to one day land a permanent gig in a theater.

“My grandmother keeps telling me on the phone, ‘I can’t believe you’ve taken it this far,”’ he said with a laugh.

Now, Dudley’s suits are more expensive and extravagant. Tonight, he will show off two.

Despite being born after Presley’s death, Dudley fell in love with the music and character of the King of Rock. His grandmother created a suit mimicking one of Presley’s for him at a young age.

During his performances in places such as Michiana, Texas, Tennessee and Canada, he tries to connect with younger people in the crowd who may not be familiar with the man he impersonates. He often finds that they love the music.

Like other concerts, Dudley said he is looking forward to meeting other Elvis fans and developing a comradeship with the crowd on Thursday.

“I try to put on a classy, respectful tribute to Elvis,” he said. “As long as people are fellowshipping, enjoying themselves, laughing, clapping, then I know I did my job.”

Audience members can expect Presley’s big hits — like “Burning Love” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” — but also his gospel hits.

“They especially love his gospel,” he said. “For me, it’s a little more personal, because a few years ago, I gave my life to the Lord. I throw in his gospel music as a way to say thank you.”

Dudley is also looking forward to sharing a presence with Redbud Area Ministries, a Buchanan-based pantry. Redbud staff will be present to speak about volunteer opportunities and will be accepting food and item donations.

“When [Presley] made it rich, made it huge, he always gave back to the community,” Dudley said. “One thing I’m finding out is there’s a lot of times he would donate money and not brag about it. That’s how humble he was.”

Dudley said Presley came from a low-income background. When the rock star became successful, he would donate to organizations large and small, from St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to local homeless shelters.

Jan Nowak-Walters, Redbud Area Ministries’ executive director, said that she hopes her nonprofit’s concert series presence will raise awareness for all food pantries in the area.

She said that summer is difficult for pantries because needing families tend to make more meals with school not is session. Frequent donors tend to be focused on vacations and relaxation, too.

“My people will be there to receive whatever bounty people would like to give to us,” Nowak-Walters said.