Cerys Matthews: Elvis, My King

Available for 24 days

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.