Islington News: David Holmes | David Elvis | Highbury New Park Old People’s Day Centre | Bemerton

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Islington Tribune - by PETER GRUNER
Published: 20 March 2009

David Elvis with Vera Kineer, 82, and 92-year-old Sally Pincus (right)

The King is alive and well, thank you very much!

HE was an ITV X-Factor reject in 2007 when he sang Love Me Tender, but David Holmes – nicknamed David Elvis – could be found last week performing to an adoring audience of young and old at the Highbury New Park Old People’s Day Centre.
The 66-year-old retired porter from the Bemerton estate in Barnsbury was told by a thoroughly underwhelmed X-Factor judge and producer Simon Cowell that he’d “never make it in a million years”.
David admits that at first he was a little downhearted at the put-down.
“But I picked myself up and started performing again and I haven’t stopped,” added David, who is famous for his Elvis impersonations.
He performs his songs in clubs and pubs and is soon to have his photo displayed at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in The Mall as part of its “London characters” season.
With his friend and manager Tad he even self-produced a seven-inch vinyl record at Christmas, played on Radio 1, which sold 400 copies.
“Everybody loves The King and you never get tired of his songs, so I’ll never be out of work,” said David, who often performs for free.

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