The Stage

Sal Bashir

Published Friday 21 April 2006 at 10:50

Sal Bashir is a happily married man with three children - but it hasn’t stopped his love affair with Elvis Presley, which has been going on for many years.

Sal, 41, has been obsessed with Elvis’ voice and music for as long as he can remember. So much so that he started miming his idol: “I spent all my time trying to sound like the King. I collected records, posters and magazines - even tried copying his hairstyle.”

Sal realised that he could encourage audiences wherever he went, building a reputation as an Elvis tribute artist.

In 2004, he performed live on the BBC’s Test the Nation singing Hound Dog, which had the studio, including Anne Robinson, rocking.

The BBC produced a follow-up documentary on Sal. Since then he has appeared on radio, TV and in the national press.

Sal still enjoys his contracts officer job in the city but spends his spare time performing.

An ‘unusual’ feature, which Sal promotes, is his Pakistani origins.

Sal performed in Stratford last month and is promoting his own special tribute to Elvis this year by celebrating the 50th anniversary of Heartbreak Hotel at venues throughout the UK.