I've never been an Elvis fan, and since he's been dead for 29 years, I doubt I'll ever be one. In fact I'm a staunch fan of Sir Cliff Richard, who was his archrival in the early days of rock 'n' roll.

Thais who were in their teens at the time probably still remember DJ Jakkarin Rosana staging a year-long popularity poll to see whether Elvis or Cliff had the most fans.

Everyone sent in postcard votes, and it was a dark day for me when Elvis won by a landslide, but then there was ample compensation in the fact that Cliff performed live in Bangkok not once but three times.

The King of Rock 'n' Roll never made it to Thailand, so it was out of sheer curiosity that I made the effort to get to Impact Arena on October 21 to see "Elvis First Live Concert in Bangkok".

The show, brought to town by BEC-Tero, was conceived by Elvis Presley Enterprises, which strives to preserve the late singer's integrity and image, not to mention his Memphis home, Graceland.

As the Impact lights dimmed, the crowd cheered and a 16-piece orchestra launched into the overture from "2001: A Space Odyssey", which opened every Elvis performance in his later career.

And there he was on a huge video screen, singing with the orchestra and a rocking band, most members of which once played at his side.

The producers had edited several Elvis performances and pared away the instrumentation, leaving only his voice awaiting fresh accompaniment.

Virtual Elvis began with tracks from his 1973 global television special "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii". The audience went wild as he romped through "C C Rider", "Burning Love", "Steamroller Blues", "Love Me", "I Can't Stop Loving You" and "Johnny B Goode".

The die-hard fans clapped and screamed over and over as if the man was really there onstage, and who could blame them for accepting the illusion wholeheartedly?

The orchestra was superb, topped only by the TCB Band - legendary guitarist James Burton, keyboardist Glen D Hardin, bassist Jerry Scheff and drummer Ronnie Tutt.

Among the backup singers bringing the "live" feel home was Myrna Smith of the Sweet Inspirations, who sang with Elvis from 1969 until his death.

And overseeing it all was Elvis' former musical director, Joe Guercio.

Next came footage from "Elvis - That's the Way It Is" from 1970, the King in his famous jumpsuit, all smooth skin and flat tummy. He sang his early hits "That's Alright Mama", "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight".

Throughout, two smaller screens at the sides of the stage offered a touching juxtaposition with Elvis in action on other stages at other times. It was eerie, and there were many moments when you forgot that he wasn't really there.

The second act began with a song by Myrna Smith and the Sweet Inspirations, followed by "Trouble", from the famous '68 television special that marked Elvis' comeback to the stage after his years in the army and Hollywood.

The show gained momentum with romantic ballads such as "You've Lost That Loving Feeling", "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" and "Bridge Over Troubled Waters".

Elvis' recorded voice and his onscreen presence were powerful, the integration with the live band seamless. I even got goose bumps when Elvis seemed to look straight at the audience to say "Thank you" with that trademark lopsided grin.

The hits kept rolling - "The Wonder of You", "Suspicious Minds", "I Remember You", "What Now My Love", "Long Tall Sally", "Whole Lotta Shake Goin' On", "A Big Hunk O' Love". Every one of them received a wild response from the fans, many of whom hadn't yet been born when he died in 1977.

The ghost of Elvis chose three hauntingly beautiful numbers to end his concert: "My Way", "An American Trilogy" and "Can't Help Falling in Love". There were many teary eyes in the audience.

In his lifetime, Elvis' only concerts outside the United States were in Canada in 1957. A world tour was an unrealised dream for both him and his fans. Thanks to modern technology and the dedication of his former pals, though, the King has been resurrected.

Amporn Chakkaphak

Special to The Nation