IN a field of thousands, one Elvis tribute can rightly lay claim to being Britain’s best.

Rob Kingsley is the reigning Best Overall Male Artist at the National Music Tribute Awards, and he’s bringing his renowned A Vision of Elvis back to Barrow this month.

A treat for fans of all ages, the show starts with a dramatic turn in Elvis’ life.

The year is 1968 and the major musical event of the year is the first live TV special for Elvis Presley in what became known as The ’68 Comeback Special.

The earth-shattering moment marked his return to live performance after seven years of making three films a year for Hollywood - many of which were not commercial successes.

Kingsley explains: “Elvis had not performed live in seven years; his Hollywood films had been panned by the critics - though they were loved by his fans - but then he made his ’68 Comeback Special and with that one sensational TV show, he was The King once more. 

“The show made him irresistibly cool again and UK cinemas are screening the film this autumn to mark its 50th anniversary. 

“For me the most memorable set was an improv session which had Elvis jamming with his band, laughing and bantering between performances of Heartbreak Hotel, Hound Dog and I Can’t Help Falling In Love and in response to the assassinations of Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Elvis gave an emotional rendition of If I Can Dream.

“Ultimately the ’68 Comeback Special was so successful it landed Elvis a residency at the International Hotel in Vegas, where he put on a phenomenal 700 shows between 1969 and 1976.”

Kingsley is the Grand European Champion and Best Vegas Elvis, known all over the world. He also has the distinction of being the first Elvis tribute artist to perform live at the new Wembley Stadium.

He is currently celebrating 10 years of touring, and is back at The Forum on Saturday September 29, having played the venue early last year.

A Vision of Elvis has long been considered the ultimate Elvis tribute show and has been endorsed by long-time Elvis friend, official photographer and tour manager Ed Bonja, who remarked: “He sings like Elvis, but most importantly, he seems to capture the very soul of Elvis – his charisma, his gestures; hell, he even walks like Elvis!”

It’s no surprise – Kingsley has been imitating The King his whole life. He added: “Elvis has been my hero for as long as I can remember.  He’s such a global icon and the music is incredible; there’s nothing better than being able to recreate Elvis’ sound and the musical arrangements of all his amazing songs with world class musicians which is what we’re doing on this tour. 

“We’re so lucky – we’ve met so many Elvis fans from the UK to Japan - it’s been a blast. I’m really looking forward to performing the show around the UK this autumn.”

Rob and his first class band will perform Heartbreak Hotel, Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock, All Shook Up, In The Ghetto, Suspicious Minds, American Trilogy and many more. 

The show’s costumes, instruments and stage design are authentically recreated to give the feel and energy of a live Elvis concert.

American Trilogy isn’t the most well-known Elvis number, but Kingsley thinks it’s the best.

He said: “It’s a medley of three incredibly powerful 19th century American songs from the deep south that became a real showstopper when Elvis performed it at his concerts. 

“The best part of the show is when I’m standing in the wings waiting to go on. 

“It’s the anticipation before I step onstage; when the music starts and I can hear the audience clapping and whooping and it creates such a brilliant energy.

“To see so many people enjoying the show laughing, dancing, singing and reacting the way they do makes it all worthwhile.

“I also love travelling to different countries and performing the show for audiences around the world.”

 A Vision of Elvis comes to The Forum on Saturday September 29, and tickets are available from the venue’s box office.