The Turbaned Elvis

They say that if God ever wanted to be rock star then he would have appeared as the one and only Elvis Presley. But this time we are going to talk about a very different Indian-Punjab-born Elvis who runs a curry shop called ‘Gracelands Tandoori’, loves his meethi chai and sports a sequined jumpsuit and matches the colour with his turban hence earning him the sobriquet ‘The Sikh Elvis’. Yes, the man in question is none other than Narinder Singh a.k.a. Peter Singh from Swansea who has since the 80s made heads turn with his lyrics and crazy dance moves, much like his idol.

With songs like Turbans over Memphis and Who’s Sari Now?, Singh came up this very popular catch phrase “I don’t do drugs/ I don’t drink Bourbon/All I want to do is shake my turban” became Mr. Singh’s most popular catch phrase, garnering him a cult following that remains to this day. “Elvis came to me in my dream and told me that I would one day entertain millions of people” he says. He has done that and a lot more. Besides his very popular gigs, he has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, spent time with Bob Geldof (of Band-Aid fame) and been featured in the New York Times too.

Despite his cultural differences he has had a career spanning more than two decades. One of Peter’s very first gigs took place in The Greyhound, the famous rock venue on London’s Fulham Palace Road. The event was billed as an antidote to the place that royal wedding, taking on the same evening Prince Charles married Diana Spencer. He has appeared as an opening act for famous bands like The Clash, The Bureau & even featured in a commercial for ‘Crisps’. His songs were played on Radio 1’s breakfast show by Mike Read – with singer Mark Almond nominating his song for ‘Record of the week’. The best part about Peter’s work was that he is not simply an Elvis impersonator like thousands all over the globe. He put his ideas together and created new music which was lapped up by the audience.

Some of his hit songs: Turbans over Memphis Who’s Sari Now? Bhindi Bhaji Boogie Rocking with the Sikh Elvis I am on the phone.
I DON’T DO DRUGS,
I DON’T DO
BOURBON
ALL I WANNA DO IS SHAKE MY TURBAN