I think it’s safe to say that the singer Bruno Mars is probably the second-most-famous Hawaiian-born American of this era. The first, of course, is President Obama.
But Mars, who is rounding out his 30th year, is pretty well-recognized, having performed at the Super Bowl and won a Grammy for “Uptown Funk,” his collaboration with British producer Mark Ronson. As a kid in a musical family, Mars spent some time as a pint-sized Elvis impersonator. His work emulating the King paid off, with his pompadoured look and retro style resonating as a sort of classic good sense.
Mars is a crafty student of pop, though, knowing when to cop a look or a sound from Michael Jackson or Prince and when to subtly lift a bit of the tight reggae-tinged pop from Sting and the Police. He’s a talented entertainer. He’s also had a little high-profile beef with Kanye West, or at least West has mouthed off about Mars’ success, which can only mean that Mars is huge and getting huger.
Bruno Mars plays at Mohegan Sun Arena, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd., Uncasville, Friday, Oct. 7, at 7:30 p.m. $79 to $600. 860-226-7711 and mohegansun.com.
