It's been nearly five decades since the King of Rock n Roll - Elvis Presley passed away. Even today his music is loved by people across the globe, and across all age groups. There are several Elvis tribute artistes in Mumbai who entertain die hard Presley fans. They don the iconic look and bring the King’s chart topping hits to life.

I’m known as the Elvis of Bandra for the past 20 years: Siddharth Meghani
Bandra boy Siddharth Meghani grew up listening to Elvis’ songs because of his mother. He shares, “She had seven sisters and they were diehard Elvis fans. My aunt would get me his cassettes from abroad. A family friend helped me get my big break at a popular jazz club. That’s how I started being known as the Elvis of Bandra and have been performing for the past 20 years.”
Talking about Elvis’ popularity around the world, Siddharth says, “During the lockdown, I used to perform on social media, and had requests coming in from all over. His music appeals to everybody, be it love or gospel songs.”

About his look, he says, “My costumes are designed by my wife, who has studied fashion, and they are stitched by the local tailor. I have always had sideburns like Elvis.”

Now even if I sing a Billy Joel song, it’s in Elvis style: Mehmood Curmally
Breach Candy resident Mehmood Curmally whose family-owned the iconic music store Rhythm House which shut down in 2016, is also an Elvis tribute artiste. He says, “The first time I heard about him was when he died and then I dressed up as him for a fancy-dress competition. I learnt more about him by watching the film, Elvis; I watched it nine times. Gradually, I started moluding my voice to sound like him and now even if I sing a Billy Joel song, it’s in Elvis style.”
Speaking about his look, he reveals he initially made a jumpsuit with material from Crawford market, but he wasn’t happy with it. “When I went to the US, I got an outfit and a hairpiece from a Canadian professional who specialises in Elvis wigs. There’s been no looking back ever since.”

I was named after Elvis Presley’s daughter: Lisa Pereira
Lisa Pereira, who works as a school teacher in Bandra, is happy to pay Elvis a tribute over the weekends. She says, “My dad was a big fan of Elvis Presley and decided that if he had a boy, he would name him Elvis, and if it was a girl, he would name her after Elvis’s daughter Lisa. That’s how I got my name. The idea of performing as Elvis occurred to me on dad’s 50th birthday when we surprised him by getting an Elvis Presley costume made by the local tailor. I had the costume lying around, so I ended up performing as Elvis for a parent’s day function. That’s how it began, and I’ve now performed at numerous shows.”
Popular playlist for Elvis tribute artistes
* Heartbreak Hotel (1956)
* Jail House Rock (1957)
* Wooden Heart (1960)
* Can’t Help Falling In Love
With You (1961)
* How Great Thou Art (1967)
* Suspicious Minds (1969)
* Always On My Mind (1972)
* He Touched Me (1972)

It’s not just the older lot that love his songs. Recently I performed at Sydenham college and was amazed at the number of Elvis fans in the audience
— Mehmood Curmally

What I like about Elvis’ songs is that they are fast-paced and you can dance to them. When I perform, I get my energy from the crowds who love swaying to his numbers
—Lisa Pereira
Pics: Prathamesh Bandekar