Elvis singers in Bristol vie for place in global tribute contest

Elvis tribute acts from around the world will perform in Bristol to win a place to sing at a global contest.

The inaugural Harbor Lights Elvis Festival has been organised in the city by Elvis fans, Lisa and Paul Phillips.

The 26 singers will be judged by one of Elvis Presley’s former girlfriends, Mindi Miller.

The winner will secure a place at the prestigious Images of the King World Championship in Memphis which takes place in August.

Organiser Paul Phillips said: “They’ll perform two songs each and judges will judge them on their vocals, their appearance and performance.”

Mr Phillips added: “The people who are competing are established artists in their own right, they have been preselected to even get to this stage.”

He said the competitors ranged from 18-year-olds to people in their 50s, with some travelling from Germany and America.

Ms Miller, who lives in Los Angeles, dated the world-famous singer from March 1975 to November 1976.

She said: “All these years later we celebrate him, we adore him to the nines, and I always say anything I’ll do to help raise his legacy is a joy for me, not that he needs it.

She will also be interviewed on stage to talk about her time dating the music legend.

“It will be absolutely delight to be able to tell people what an incredible energy he was, what a spiritual loving man, what a phenomenal entertainer he was.

“Also to share with the fans – what he wanted them to know was his spiritual side, not just the jumpsuit he wore.”

About 350 people are expected to attend the event which runs from Friday to Sunday evening and are being promised something that relates to the different stages of Elvis’ career.

Although other tribute act competitions are held in the UK, this is the only national event which guarantees a place in the world championships.

Elvis events are held around the world – the event in Sydney coincides with the 10 January, the singer’s birthday, while another was held in January in Birmingham.

The King World Championship is held from 10-17 August, to coincide with 16 August, the anniversary of his death.