Long live The King!

Preston-born Dominic Finley, 26, has been a fan of Elvis since he was knee high to a grasshopper.

Despite being just one year old when the rock 'n' roll star died, Dominic has been hooked on Elvis hits all his life.

He even joined the resident band at the Hilton Hotel in Japan five years ago to perform the 'King's' classic Can't Help Falling in Love With You'.

Now, to mark the 25th anniversary of Elvis's death on Saturday, August 17, Dominic has agreed to help organise a tribute tour with one of the world's leading Elvis sound-a-likes.

"Elvis was the first great rock 'n' roll hero," said Dominic, of Rectory Close, Croston, near Leyland.

He added: "I love his music. His image was really sharp in the 1950s when he sang classics like 'Jailhouse Rock', but I think his voice was at its best when he performed in the 1970s.

"I loved the recent number one re-mix by JFX of 'A Little Less Conversation' by Elvis. His music is timeless and I think he still lives on in many people's hearts."

Dominic's passion for Elvis hits led the former Bishop Rawstorne High School pupil to set up a career in the music business.

These days he runs his own promotion company, Dominic Finley Entertainments, and has plenty of big names on his books including '70s chart-toppers Kiki Dee and Gilbert O'Sullivan.

But he is currently working hard to promote Elvis tribute act, Paul Thorpe, 34, who will be performing in Leyland soon.

Dominic said: "A lot of people think that impersonators wear wigs, jumpsuits and all that jazz, but Paul really looks like Elvis. When he visited Gracelands he was mobbed by fans who wanted to have their photograph taken with him."

Another of Dominic's showbiz buddies is songwriter Barry Mason who penned 'Girl of Mine' for Elvis in the early 1970s and wrote the hit 'Delilah' for Welsh crooner Tom Jones.

Barry will be performing at Worden Arts Centre, Leyland, on Thursday, September 5. For bookings call 603030.