Always on my mind

Whether it's as a young man with a slick of ebony hair, a sexy GI complete with medals on his chest or a high-energy rock 'n' roll icon, The King will always be remembered.

Elvis lives on through music that first rocked the world half a century ago and still has us on our feet, with recent remixes including A Little Less Conversation and the famous Rubberneckin'. But just how relevant is his memory and music in today's ever-changing world? Here's what you thought.

DJ Bliss has lived in Dubai all his life. He wakes the UAE every weekday morning on Radio 1 and tires them out most weekend nights as one of the resident DJs at Trilogy at Madinat Jumeirah. However, he admits to not playing much music written or performed by Elvis.

He said: "I never really play Elvis unless they are remixes of songs but that is mainly due to the type of clubs I DJ in. I play mostly R 'n' B and hip hop, and that doesn't lend itself to Elvis songs.

"However, it would be wrong to say he wasn't relevant at all. His music has influenced music through time and we must respect that. He was a genius and will always be remembered that way by most.

"If I DJ at private parties, I will generally throw in a bit of Elvis because you can always guarantee people will hit the dance floor."

Martha Norton, 54, has lived in Dubai for eight years and is an avid listener of Radio 2.

Originally from England, she said: "I love Elvis, I truly believe he is 'The King' and won't hear otherwise.

"His music has influenced so many after him and I listen to the classic hits radio station in the hope he may be played at some point during the day. It's not just Elvis though; I like all the old stuff, probably because of my age. I don't see how anyone can even compare the music around now with hits by someone as talented and respected as Elvis.

"Elvis's music is relevant today and will be relevant for as long as people allow it to be."

Brian McAdams, 61, visiting Dubai from Scotland, said: "The concern is that over the years as the generations pass, Elvis and his music will be forgotten. It is only natural that less and less people will listen to his music as the tastes change through the decades.

"But I think Elvis will always be someone who is studied and remembered because he had such a huge impact on the music industry. He is amazing and I am glad his music is still played today."

Sarah Higgins, 24, has lived in Dubai for 18 months and says she hasn't heard an Elvis song since she moved to the UAE.
She said: "It's funny because in the UK, I remember hearing Elvis tracks all the time. I think there are more radio stations there which means you are more likely to hear music from years gone by.

"It's not something I really think about but, now you mention it, I suppose I do miss hearing songs from the 'greats'. I guess that also confirms his music is still relevant because people miss it."

Omar Abaid, 29, from Dubai, said that to the best of his knowledge he believes he has never heard an Elvis track in his life.

He said: "I'm not into music at all and never listen to the radio or music at home. If I have ever heard a song by Elvis, then I probably wouldn't have even known it was him. That sounds bad but I'm just not into music. I would be able to recognise him from a picture I think but that's about it. So, for me, he is definitely not relevant."

Christopher Mauger, 21, visiting Dubai from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, said: "Elvis is The King and everyone must have heard his music. People like Elvis have influenced music as we know it today and we should all be grateful for that.

I love the new remixes they do of old songs and I think the ones they have done for Elvis, or in his memory, have been amazing. It's always strange to dance in a club to a song which was written by a man who has been dead for 30 years - what a legacy."

Ann Pearce, a teacher from the UK, said: "Elvis will always live on and I believe his music will outlive that of many artists around today.

"His music will always be relevant and will be played either with a modern twist or in its original form for years to come."