Radio 2 Celebrates Elvis!

Radio 2's The Blues Show presenter and singer-songwriter, Cerys Matthews, is a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley. In this hour-long special - marking what would have been his 90th birthday on 8th January 2025 - she delves into her memories of growing up in Wales and recalls how his music, films and performances influenced her own artistry.

As a little girl 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, and seeing his movies and performances on the television.

Later in life, Cerys 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.

Cerys plays her favourite Elvis songs and memories of growing up as a superfan of The King

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Cerys plays her favourite Elvis songs and memories of growing up as a superfan of The King.

[LISTEN NOW]

In the small seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales, Elvis' legacy has taken on a life of its own. Every year, 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 Wyn Evans visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival where this year ETAs from Portugal, Canada and even Australia travel to perform. Tens of thousands of fans come to pay tribute to the King of Rock n Roll. Discussing everything from his Blues, Country and Gospel periods to the infamous comeback special and iconic Vegas shows. This is a fans' love letter to Elvis.

Owain Wyn Evans explores the Porthcawl Elvis Festival in Wales.

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Owain Wyn Evans visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival in Wales, where tens of thousands of fans come to pay tribute to the King of Rock n Roll.

[LISTEN NOW]

Johnnie Walker talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with one of the music world's greatest figures - Elvis Presley.

Highlights include her childhood and military background, their first meeting in Germany, his love of gospel and opera and Elvis's career highlights, especially the 68 Comeback Special and a new album project mixing his powerful vocal delivery with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded at Abbey Road studios.

Priscilla talks in depth about Elvis, the southern gentleman who helped her get used to fame, poured his heart out to her and is, to this day, the love of her life.

This programme was first broadcast in 2015.

Johnnie Walker talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with Elvis Presley and his career

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Johnnie talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with one of the music world's greatest figures, Elvis Presley, highlighting their first meeting and his many career highlights.

[LISTEN NOW]

Vernon Kay counts down of the 30 most popular Elvis songs as voted by Radio 2 listeners.

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

[LISTEN NOW]

The songs that didn't make the top 30 Elvis songs as voted by Radio 2 listeners

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

[LISTEN NOW]

Vernon Kay plays the UK's favourite 40 Elvis Presley songs as determined by the Your Ultimate Elvis Song vote.

The show marks the 90th anniversary of Elvis's birth and there were 90 songs in all to vote from - each of the songs have appeared on a single or an EP that reached the Top 20 of the Official UK Singles chart.

As well as counting down to Your Ultimate Elvis Song, Vern hears memories of The King and his music taken from celebrity interviews in the BBC archive, and from listeners who contacted him while the vote was running.

Vernon Kay counts down the 40 most popular Elvis songs as voted for by Radio 2 listeners.

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

[LISTEN NOW]

Radio 2's The Blues Show presenter and singer-songwriter, Cerys Matthews, is a lifelong fan of Elvis Presley. In this hour-long special - marking what would have been his 90th birthday on 8th January 2025 - she delves into her memories of growing up in Wales and recalls how his music, films and performances influenced her own artistry.

As a little girl 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, and seeing his movies and performances on the television.

Later in life, Cerys 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.

Cerys plays her favourite Elvis songs and memories of growing up as a superfan of The King

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Cerys plays her favourite Elvis songs and memories of growing up as a superfan of The King.

[LISTEN NOW]

In the small seaside town of Porthcawl in South Wales, Elvis' legacy has taken on a life of its own. Every year, 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 Wyn Evans visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival where this year ETAs from Portugal, Canada and even Australia travel to perform. Tens of thousands of fans come to pay tribute to the King of Rock n Roll. Discussing everything from his Blues, Country and Gospel periods to the infamous comeback special and iconic Vegas shows. This is a fans' love letter to Elvis.

Owain Wyn Evans explores the Porthcawl Elvis Festival in Wales.

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Owain Wyn Evans visits the Porthcawl Elvis Festival in Wales, where tens of thousands of fans come to pay tribute to the King of Rock n Roll.

[LISTEN NOW]

[LISTEN NOW]

Johnnie Walker talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with one of the music world's greatest figures - Elvis Presley.

Highlights include her childhood and military background, their first meeting in Germany, his love of gospel and opera and Elvis's career highlights, especially the 68 Comeback Special and a new album project mixing his powerful vocal delivery with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, recorded at Abbey Road studios.

Priscilla talks in depth about Elvis, the southern gentleman who helped her get used to fame, poured his heart out to her and is, to this day, the love of her life.

This programme was first broadcast in 2015.

Johnnie Walker talks to Priscilla Presley about her life with Elvis Presley and his career

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Vernon Kay presents a bonus hour of Elvis Presley singles that Radio 2 listeners could select from when voting for Your Ultimate Elvis Song.

These songs - which span the career of The King - were all Top 20 hits in the UK but missed the cut for the main programme, where Vern plays the 40 records which received the most votes, and counts down to reveal Your Ultimate Elvis Song.

A bonus selection of Elvis Presley's UK hits that missed the Top 40 countdown show.

Radio 2 commemorates the King of Rock'n'Roll, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Vernon Kay with a bonus selection of Elvis Presley's UK hits that Radio 2 listeners could vote for, which didn't make the cut for the Top 40 countdown of Your Ultimate Elvis Song.

[LISTEN NOW]