Singing Elvis Presley songs has allowed Billy J McGregor from Bedlington to give up work as a gas fitter and launch a full-time career.

Billy talks to Viv Hardwick about what it means to become the voice of a rock 'n' roll legend.

PEOPLE really were cooking with Elvis until three years ago. Former Bedlington gas fitter Billy J McGregor finally gave up the day job with British Gas when he decided, literally, it's now or never and launched a full-time professional tribute show to Elvis Presley.

Currently, the 41-year-old father-of-three and his showbiz partner Alan Wearmouth have bookings right across Britain and are about to begin discussions involving a European tour.

The two Bedlington school pals had dreamed of making music like Elvis and even formed a band back in the late 1970s. But guitar man Alan and singer Billy eventually went in separate directions until 1998 before meeting up again and launching The Elvis Collection with a 12-piece band, backing vocals and a three-strong Gospel choir.

"From three songs in we tell the audience that we're not here to impersonate Elvis because, being a Geordie like you say, I'm bound to make a mistake if I'm trying to put on an American accent. So no matter where you are in the country I can feel the audience heaving a sigh of relief that I'm not going to put on a false Memphis accent and start telling everyone I'm Elvis. Others make out they are direct from the USA, but I tell them I'm direct from Newcastle."

The singer laughs and admits the other boys in the band make out he sounds Welsh when he tries to put on a "posh" stage accent.

"Obviously I've grown the sideboards and I wear a two-piece suit because Elvis didn't wear jumpsuits, but I canna come out with the full big belt buckle impersonation because that's not what this show is about. The Elvis Collection is about paying tribute to the greatest ever rock'n'roll entertainer that ever lived. There's been that many people who've tried to be Elvis in the 27 years since he died, but there's only one Elvis and I think it's best we go out there with a 12-piece band and pay a tribute to his music."

Billy points out that professional Sunderland musicians like bass player Joss Elliott and drummer Kevin Scott, who once backed the likes of Paul Young and Paul Carrick, wouldn't have joined an act that was just a pale parody of The King.

"They wouldn't be there if it was just me making a fool of myself. We are a band trying to produce the authenticity of Elvis."

Billy and Alan started off the tribute act at Blyth's Wallaw Cinema in 1998 and followed up with a few shows in 1999, but soon it was a full house at Newcastle City Hall in 2001 leading to a 1,800-seater audience at the city's massive arena.

"We're sitting with the most bookings for Elvis shows and I'm including the guy who won the GMTV contest. We're getting repeat bookings for the Clyde Auditorium in Glasgow which has 3,000 seats.

"I think this is down to the musicianship and the fact that younger people are keen to see the show. There are a lot of teenage to late-20s coming along partly because of the release of A Little Less Conversation which put Elvis back at the top."

It's not easy earning a living as Elvis, but Billy and Alan are hopeful that London-based International Artists will sign up The Elvis Collection for a European tour.

The pair have visited Graceland in Memphis and met some of Elvis' backstage helpers and later caught up with some of the his musicians in Glasgow.

"To meet some of these people is quite something because most of them are still really big in the world of entertainment. It's sort of a dream come true," says Billy.

"I think I've got a couple of years left and I always say that I'll keep going as long as I look all right and I've got my own hair and my voice is all right. As soon as I'm too old I'll find somebody else to take over the role because I don't think Elvis Presley's name will ever die."

His favourite number is 1971 hit I Just Can't Help Believing, but there are so many songs to include that Billy is in the fortunate position of being able to change the set regularly to avoid the tribute show becoming stale. Billy admits his wife. Kaye, used to like Elvis' music but living with The Elvis Collection 24 hours a day has tested her patience to the full, particularly when even I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here has featured Elvis soundtracks.

Fortunately daughters Philippa, 15, Sacha, 13, and Nicolle, seven, love going to see dad on stage. Two years ago, Billy halted a Whitley Bay Playhouse appearance to hand a flower to Nicolle, then aged five.

"Despite the floor bouncing with the sound of the band it turned out that Nicolle was fast asleep and the same thing happened when we played Newcastle City Hall," laughs Billy. But, hopefully, Elvis will be always on our minds for a little longer.

* North-East dates are: York Opera House, March 4; Durham's Gala Theatre on March 5; Middlesbrough Theatre, April 3; Consett Empire, Oct 29 and Whitley Bay Playhouse on December 22.

Published: 12/02/2004