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Remembering Elvis tribute artist’s legacy

Last September 25 marked the second anniversary of the passing of my friend and fellow counterpart, Ges Barundang, who was a popular Elvis tribute artist known as Elges Presley. He left behind his loving wife, retired teacher Helen Menon, and four university-educated children, along with a few grandchildren. Not to mention his collection of thirteen […]

Ever eminent presence of King’s men

There is something magical about watching a man who has lost himself find his way back home…He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect from rock ‘n’ roll singers. – Jon Landau, American film producer Sarawak is not left behind in terms of Elvis Presley fever. In fact Elvis is very much […]

Contented with slight musical success

Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. Berthold Auerbach, German-Jewish poet and author With a lot of push and sacrifices not to mention undergoing through the lows and highs, a person might achieve some degree of success in his or her chosen pursuit, career and fields of interest. Many achieve success […]

Loving tribute to ‘the King’ on his 88th birthday

Take care of the fans and they will sure as hell take care of you. – Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley’s Graceland celebrates the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s birthday each year with four days of special events. Fans were called to join the celebration in Memphis from January 5 to 8 as they honoured […]

I sang My Way in front of Anwar in 1990

If we in Asia want to speak credibly for Asian values, we must be prepared to also champion those ideals which belong to humanity as a whole…It is altogether shameful to cite ‘Asian values’ as an excuse for autocratic practices and the denial of basic rights. – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim The appointment of Datuk […]

Recalling ETA performances with nostalgia

Every time I think that I’m getting old, and gradually going to the grave, something else happens. – Elvis Presley, American ‘King of Rock and Roll’ Throughout the years, there were a good number of our Elvis tribute artistes’ (ETA’s) performances that remain intact in my memory, starting with my special show in Sarawak Club […]

The King’s legacy remains intact

Rock and roll music, if you like it, if you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I can’t help it.  – Elvis Presley On August 16, 1977, the world mourned the loss of one of the greatest exponents of American and world music, Elvis Aaron Presley. Today, […]

Still crooning, dazzling at 80

I’ve developed a karaoke habit. I’ve become a crooner. – Serena Williams, tennis star As I write, I am thinking of my eldest brother Edward Jelani, who turns 80 on July 1. Edward, who recorded two Iban songs (our lingo’s versions of the Elvis Presley’s), with RTM in 1963, is a retired SESCO engineering assistant, thanks […]

Inspiration for today’s, future generations

Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain’t going away. – Elvis Presley Just before Raya my two friends who were busking nightly at Kedey Kamek here in Metrocity invited me to join them. With a treat of very nice ‘Kopi O’, I happily performed two Elvis […]

Strongly fused by the King’s legacy

There have been a lot of tough guys. There have been pretenders. And there have been contenders. But there is only one king. — Bruce Springsteen, American singer-songwriter It was certainly a picture of gloom surrounding my persona upon hearing about the demise of a friend in music. I was privileged to be acquainted with […]