BBC Radio 2 is asking listeners to vote for their favourite song from Elvis Presley to celebrate what would have been his 90th birthday.
The most popular tracks will be revealed in a countdown show, ‘Your Ultimate Elvis Song', hosted by Elvis superfan Vernon Kay – who hosts the UK’s most popular radio show each weekday from 9.30am-noon – which will be broadcast on New Years Day (3-5pm) and then available on BBC Sounds. As well as his amazing music, expect listener memories about what The King’s music means to them, plus some celebrity recollections.
Listeners can vote here for up to five songs from a list comprising of 90 of Elvis’ UK Top 20 hits. Voting closes at midday on Friday 13th December 2024.
Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 says: “Radio 2 has a long tradition of celebrating the greatest icons of music from across the decades and they don’t get any bigger than The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll himself, Elvis Presley! I can’t wait to find out the top tracks as chosen by our wonderful listeners to celebrate what would have been his 90th birthday in January.”
Vernon says: “ELVIS. One name. One Icon. The music has transcended many generations and the man is probably the most recognisable musician of all time. From being a young lad playing my auntie’s old Elvis vinyl records to collecting The King’s memorabilia, Elvis is ever present in the Kay/Daly household so it’s going to be so much fun revealing the nation’s favourite Elvis song and finding out how many Radio 2 listeners share my love of Elvis.”
Also broadcast on New Year’s Day – and available exclusively on BBC Sounds from Friday 27 December – are two documentaries. In ‘Cerys Matthews: Elvis Presley, My King' (5-6pm), Radio 2’s Blues Show presenter, singer-songwriter and lifelong Elvis fan Cerys delves deep into her memories of growing up in Wales and reveals how Elvis’ music, films and performances influenced her own artistry. She recalls the impact of hearing about Elvis’ death in 1977 and, although just a little girl and not yet fully aware of his legacy, she still understood the loss, scale and cultural impact of this event, and from there on her fascination started.
Already interested in the blues, Elvis’ sound and background was hugely appealing and would inspire Cerys to buy his sheet music and learn his songs for the guitar. Further exposure would come through hearing Elvis impersonators in local pubs in South Wales, through her Auntie Jean playing Love Me Tender on her piano, seeing his movies and performances on the television, and notably his legendary ‘68 Comeback Special. Later in life, she would make her own pilgrimage to Nashville and Tennessee, tracing the humble beginnings and rise to fame of the man who would be the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This programme is a fascinating and captivating detailed insight into how Elvis’ legacy has lived on, as told through Cerys’ personal viewpoint. A Mostest production.
Cerys Matthews says: “Elvis… I was hooked immediately! My earliest memories include a mass gathering around a farm piano blasting out Suspicious Minds and Hound Dog. His repertoire is a rich seam of blues, hillbilly, rock ‘n’ roll and so much more. I've done the Nashville to Graceland, Memphis trip more times than I can remember and my son’s middle name is Tupelo. Am I a fan? I reckon so!”
In ‘When Wales Welcomes The King' (6-7pm), Radio 2’s Early Breakfast presenter, Owain Wyn Evans, continues the network’s celebration of Elvis. In the small seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales, Elvis’ legacy has taken on a life of its own. Every year in September, tens of thousands of fans and Elvis Tribute Acts (ETAs) descend on the town, donning jumpsuits, wigs and sideburns to keep the legend's spirit alive. Owain visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival where ETAs from Portugal, Canada and even Australia have travelled to perform and where fans have come to pay tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Discussing everything from his blues, country and gospel periods, to his infamous comeback and iconic Vegas shows, this is a fans’ love letter to Elvis. A Bengo Media Production
Owain Wyn Evans says: “The King of Rock and Roll gave the world hit after hit and I absolutely loved celebrating so many of these songs in one of the most iconic Elvis locations on the globe…. Porthcawl! From world-leading Elvis Tribute Acts to stories of why The King means so much to us, the fans. The Elvis Festival in the Porthcawl is the place to be. Come celebrate with us on BBC Radio 2.”
Elvis vote shortlist:
- A Big Hunk O' Love
- A Little Less Conversation (Elvis vs JXL)
- A Mess Of Blues
- Ain't That Lovin' You Baby
- All Shook Up
- All That I Am
- Always On My Mind
- An American Trilogy
- Are You Lonesome Tonight?
- Baby I Don’t Care
- Beyond The Reef
- Blue Christmas
- Blue Moon
- Blue Suede Shoes
- Bossa Nova Baby
- Burning Love
- Can't Help Falling In Love
- Crying In The Chapel
- Don't
- Don't Cry Daddy
- Don’t Leave Me Now
- Do The Clam
- Fool
- The Girl Of My Best Friend
- Good Luck Charm
- Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do!
- Guitar Man
- Hard Headed Woman
- Heartbreak Hotel
- Hound Dog
- I Feel So Bad
- If Every Day Was Like Christmas
- If I Can Dream
- I Got Stung
- I Just Can't Help Believin’
- I Need Your Love Tonight
- In The Ghetto
- It's Now Or Never
- It's Only Love
- It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
- I've Lost You
- I Want To Be Free
- I Want You, I Need You, I Love You
- Jailhouse Rock
- King Creole
- Kissin' Cousins
- Kiss Me Quick
- Lawdy, Miss Clawdy
- (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
- Little Sister
- Love Letters
- Love Me Tender
- (Marie's The Name) His Latest Flame
- Moody Blue
- My Baby Left Me
- My Boy
- My Way
- (Now and Then There’s) A Foot Such As I
- One Broken Heart For Sale
- One Night
- Paralysed
- Party
- Promised Land
- Rags To Riches
- Return To Sender
- Rock-A-Hula Baby
- Rubberneckin' (Paul Oakenfold Remix)
- Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me
- She's Not You
- Stuck On You
- Such A Night
- Surrender
- Suspicion
- Suspicious Minds
- Tell Me Why
- That's All Right
- There Goes My Everything
- Too Much
- Trying To Get To You
- Until It's Time For You To Go
- U.S. Male
- Viva Las Vegas
- Way Down
- Wear My Ring Around Your Neck
- Wild In The Country
- The Wonder Of You
- Wooden Heart
- You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
- Young and Beautiful
- (You're The) Devil In Disguise
