Canterbury Cathedral has a rich musical heritage dating back more than a millennium - but for one very special night the traditional church music for which it is world famous will be replaced with the sounds of a popular music legend, Elvis Presley.
A unique event will be held in aid of The Canterbury Gift showcasing the gospel music of Elvis Presley in the Cathedral Nave.
Most people, even ardent fans, associate Elvis – who will forever be known as the King of Rock & Roll – with his earliest hip-swivelling hits such as Hound Dog, Jailhouse Rock and Heartbreak Hotel. Few recall Elvis’ love of Gospel and perhaps even fewer know he released three exclusively Gospel albums.
Elvis was nominated for a total of 14 Grammy Awards but won only three – all for his Gospel recordings.
His third Gospel album, His Hand In Mine, a multi-platinum selling release, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2010 and is still selling in big numbers today.
To mark this milestone, the Elvis Presley Fan Club, in association with The Canterbury Gift, will stage ‘Elvis in the Cathedral’, a concert of Elvis’ Gospel on Saturday, April 17, 2010.
The show will be performed by the Always Elvis Gospel Group, accompanied by a Gospel choir for many of the songs.
Michael Davis of the Elvis Presley Fan Club said: “Their renditions of Elvis Gospel numbers are heart-stoppingly perfect, so much so that this group is now in great demand throughout the country.
“The sound of these Gospels, presented in the way Elvis sang them, will fill the Cathedral with sheer joy – not only for Elvis fans, nor just for those who like Gospel music, but for anyone with a love of good music.”
All proceeds will go towards The Canterbury Gift.
