The Original line-up from 1977.
L-R: "Big" Jim White, Roly Martin, Barry Myers and Mike Barnes.
An early line-up circa 1978.
L-R: Mike Barnes, Dave Howard, Paul "Animal", "Big" Jim White & Roly Martin.
Forever Elvis original production members.
L-R: Leyton Summers, "Big" Jim White, Charlie Hodge & Mel Stevens.
"Big" Jim White, Publicity Shot 1987.
Presley In Mind's origins go way back to 1977, making them one of the original Elvis tribute groups.
On their home turf of Manchester they found cult status with their now legendary "rehearsal" gigs at various Manchester venues including the infamous Bull's Head on Chester Road in Hulme. The Manchester Evening News' Mick Middles once rated them as the 5th best night out in Manchester - quite an achievement when you consider that The Smiths were rated 6th best!
They found acclaim throughout the 1980's while touring with the hit shows Forever Elvis and Memories of Elvis, lavish Theatre Productions which took audiences on a journey through stages of Presley's life. Beginning with his impoverished childhood and his rise to fame in the Rock & Roll Era, the shows took us through Elvis' army career, his movies and his return to live performance leading to the final tragic years of his life.
The shows featured many Elvis tribute artists playing the different aspects and ages of Elvis including Mel Stevens, Billy Dean, Leyton Sommers, Dean Solomon, Ricky McKay, Liberty Mounten, Kenny Gee and Johnny (Dumper) Earle.
"Big" Jim White played the part of Elvis between the years of 1968 and 1975, covering material from Elvis' last films, his Comeback Special and his Las Vegas heyday.
Dramatised scenes, featuring (amongst others) Marina Baker as Priscilla Presley and Peachy Meade as Col. Tom Parker punctuated the live performances. The young Elvis was played by the Producer's Daughter (!) Elvisa White, who also played the part of Elvis' Daughter Lisa-Marie later in the show. Narration was provided by Charlie Hodge - possibly Elvis' closest friend, and Anette Day, who co-starred with Elvis in the film Double Trouble.
Forever Elvis went on to become the longest running Elvis musical of all time, touring the nation's theatres from Aberdeen to Plymouth. It became a firm favourite of the Fan Clubs, entertaining the Scottish Elvis Fan Club at the King's Theatre in Edinburgh for two years running along with the Elvis Fan Club of Great Britain and The Commonwealth at the Demontford Hall in Leicester. "Big" Jim White was guest of honour at their celebrations, which marked the 10th anniversary of Elvis' death in 1987 where DJ Derek Jameson interviewed him for Radio 2. He even represented the Club on the TV show Wogan to, where he performed The Wonder of You to an audience of millions.
After the success of Forever Elvis Jim and the band continued touring with their own show - Elvis and the Rock & Roll Years, written by their keyboard player Pete McDonald and produced by Jim. This show featured their drummer, Ricky Sparkle and saw them working with tribute artists Billy Dean and Steve Preston. They toured Britain in the late 80's and early 90's.
Jim finally hung up his jumpsuit and retired from the gruelling schedules of national touring in 1997. He was eventually tempted back into performing by boxing promoter Eric Mason, for a series of charity events to raise money for the North-West Ex-boxers Association. Jim now regularly performs his solo show From The Heart in pubs and clubs around Manchester.
Jim and members of Presley in Mind reunited in 2002 to mark the 25th anniversary of the untimely death of The King. They now present their headlining cabaret show, Forever Elvis (named after the original theatre production with the kind permission of Pam Jarrett), at major functions and charity fundraisers. These days they prefer to concentrate their appearances around the Greater Manchester area, but are occasionally tempted to venture further afield to Blackpool and around the North West of England.
"Jim White was simply superb" - Eastern Evening News
"Thumping Tribute to the King" - Preston Review
"Now here is a man with the voice, the looks and the stage presence of a superstar... (he) fills the part with a fantastic realism" - Philip Mead Review
"Very like our Elvis of the early 1970's he really puts himself into it" - Elvis Monthly
"Jim White's entrance was spectacular. A huge man, he cut a fine line to the stage and proceded to physically wind the band up until All Shook Up exploded with an energy... Jim White's delicious angst is a very special talent indeed" - Mick Middles, Manchester Evening News
"One of the better carbon copies" - Terry Wogan
"Jim White deserves special commendation for his portrayal of Presley" - Evening Express Review
"Jim White was simply superb" - Eastern Evening News
"Jim White's facial and vocal similarities are amazingly close, and no wonder this show has received public acclaim" - Ayrshire Post