Michael Bublé: The Master Mimic Who Learned From the Legends
A Talent Rooted in Admiration
Michael Bublé has always possessed a rare ability: he can slip into the vocal styles of his musical heroes with uncanny precision. Whether channeling the velvet phrasing of Frank Sinatra or the rich vibrato of Elvis Presley, Bublé treats imitation as both homage and education—one that helped shape the artist he eventually became.
The 2016 Interview That Showcased His Gift
During a 2016 appearance with Dan Rather on AXS-TV, Bublé openly demonstrated his mimicry skills. When Rather asked if he could do a few impressions, Bublé recalled a memorable piece of advice from Tony Bennett:
“Michael, you steal from everybody, and it’s research. You steal from one, you’re just a thief.”
With that, he explained how deeply he had studied his idols, absorbing their nuances until he could blend them into his own unique sound.
Channeling Sinatra, Dean Martin, and Elvis
Bublé illustrated the differences between the greats:
Sinatra, he said, “sang hard on his vowels,” before giving a lively sample from “You Make Me Feel So Young.”
For Dean Martin, he demonstrated a looser, relaxed, open-throat delivery—effortless and breezy.
Then came Elvis, with his deeper tone and signature vibrato, which Bublé captured with a soft line from “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”
Rather, visibly impressed, told him, “You could make a living just doing that.”
Bublé laughed: “There’s been times in my life when I feel like I have.”
@axstv Michael Bublé does his impressions of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash 😱👏 #axstv #michaelbublé #jazzmusic #popmusic #franksinatra #deanmartin #elvis #johnnycash
Finding the ‘Michael Bublé’ Sound
Jump to 2024, and Bublé reflected during The Voice Season 26 on how these early imitations shaped his real voice. None of it happened overnight. Mimicry was the starting point—but slowly, he carved out something unmistakably his.
“I just wanted to make it mine, and I did,” he said. “It took years to stop sounding like the people I loved and start sounding like Michael Bublé.”
Influences Beyond the Standards
Bublé didn’t limit himself to jazz and swing icons. His tastes were wide:
“I was as into the Beastie Boys and Michael Jackson as I was into Dean Martin or Bobby Darin.”
That blend of modern pop energy with classic vocal styling became the foundation of his signature sound—timeless yet fresh, retro yet contemporary.
From Imitation to Innovation
By studying the best—from crooners to pop stars—Michael Bublé didn’t just mimic the legends; he learned from them. Over time, he turned those impressions into artistry, carrying the spirit of the greats while letting his own voice shine through.
And in that journey, he proved something important:
Every great artist begins as a fan, listening closely—until one day, the echoes turn into a voice entirely their own.