Music
Elvis is Back
by NINO WILLIAMS
It's going to be a rocking good Christmas if Swansea's very own Singing Sikh has anything to do with it.
England's Peter Singh is already well known to fans around the globe as the world's only Sikh Elvis Presley impersonator.
His talents also extend to lyric-writing, with self-penned "Bhindi Bhaji Boogie" and "Turbans Over Memphis", some of his crowd-pleasing favourites.
But his latest production is a seasonal rocker, which he hopes will provide some good cheer to the yuletide festivities.
"It's called "Come on it's Christmas" and I wrote it and sing it", he said.
"If people have had enough of turkey this Christmas, they can now try something with a curry flavour instead".
Swansea's own Spice Boy first became a fan of Elvis after moving to Britain from India in the 1950s.
For a while, he ran a takeaway in Waun Wen called Graceland, named after Elvis's home and burial place.
The menu included a "Love Me Tender" burger, a "Burning Love" curry and the set meal for one, "Are You Lonesome Tonight?". But it was slipping into a white sequinned jumpsuit that really made his name.
Backed by his group The Poppadoms, he performed widely, and appeared on television, belting out Elvis-inspired hits such as "Who's Sari Now?" and "My Poppadom Told Me".
But he is hoping his latest festive offering will bring a little seasonal cheer to his fans.
Peter, who also answers to the name of the Turbanator, said: "I wanted to do a Christmas song and I think it is brilliant.
"Elvis is The King, and I started out because I wanted to do something for my community - I am East meets West.
"But I am also a Swansea man, and I want to take Swansea all over the world.
"Hopefully, my new song will help me do that".
[Courtesy: Evening Post]
Conversation about this article
1: Roopinder Singh Bains (Surrey, British Columbia, Canada), December 24, 2007, 1:04 PM.
Peter Singh is showing our young that they can be part of western society and still wear turbans, and that the turban does not hinder us, no matter which occupation or activity we wish to pursue.
2: Manjit Kwatra (Chandigarh, India), January 09, 2008, 1:16 AM.
You are born a Sikh, a Hindu or a Muslim - the decision is God's, not yours. One should feel proud of the people who respect their inheritance. A Sikh who respects his turban makes his community proud.
3: Sandra Moorman (The Netherlands), March 01, 2008, 9:55 AM.
Peter is a great guy. I met him in 1997 in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A.. When I left, he waved me goodbye crying, and he gave me his silvercoloured shirt, which I still have. I wonder where he is and I would really like to see him again some day. Maybe someone can help me out with this?
4: Nirmal (Khalistan), May 08, 2008, 9:06 AM.
Sat Sri Akaal! Awwww ... Peter is bahut vadiya ... and he's so adorable. He gives a lghthearted and wonderful image of us as Sikhs. He's awesome. He does us proud. God bless him.
5: Samantha (Canada), December 11, 2009, 10:07 AM.
Does anyone know where I can get his album with "Turbans Over Memphis" on it? My dad desperately wants it but I can't find it anywhere!
6: Laijon Jempra (Wales), February 23, 2011, 1:41 PM.
Does anybody know where I can buy his music? It doesn't seem to be available anywhere on the internet.
7: Tony Singh (Toronto, Ontario, Canada), July 26, 2011, 2:09 PM.
Peter! Love you, from Canada! I listen to your music and shake my turban!
8: Harpreet (United Kingdom), June 30, 2012, 6:36 AM.
The Original Sikh Elvis Presley Impersonator: Peter Singh (1983) http://bit.ly/zrV7HD
9: Bill Bennett (Neath, United kingdom), July 08, 2014, 12:34 PM.
Yesterday I sang in The Marina Private Care Home in Swansea for the first time and guess what? Peter Singh was in my audience as he is now living in this Care Home!
10: Michael (Stoke, England), December 29, 2016, 11:57 AM.
I have located some 7" vinyl of Peter Singh's 'Bhindi Bhaji Boogie' which are also signed by him. I will be listing them on Ebay over the next few weeks.