"It's been brilliant to see the video."
Thousands of people have watched a viral video of an Elvis Presley tribute act who was filmed singing in a Derby street during lockdown.
Police in Derbyshire shared a clip of singing sensation Bal Johal, popularly known as Indian Elvis, in Chelwood Road, Chellaston, and singing the lyrics to ‘Burning Love’ while in full Elvis gear.
On November 22, 2020, the 18-second clip was filmed and uploaded to Derbyshire Armed Response Unit Twitter page.
The video went viral and it has been viewed nearly 10,000 times. After seeing the uplifting video, social media users “can’t help falling in love” with the tribute act.
The caption read: “Just a normal day In Chellaston, and we spot Indian Elvis entertaining his street. Great to see the community out and enjoying a (socially distanced) Sunday afternoon.
“They’ll be no ‘Jailhouse Rock’ today though.”
One resident was left happy by the video and wrote on Facebook:
“Thank you so much to Bal Johal who sang for mum on her birthday yesterday, it was absolutely fabulous!”
Many others said that Mr Johal was “fabulous”.
Mr Johal said: “It’s been brilliant to see the video.
“It was so funny because when I saw the police and the flashing lights I thought ‘oh no I could be in trouble’. It’s always a privilege to sing Elvis songs.”
Jas, Mr Johal’s wife, said: “A neighbour’s mum was having a 75th birthday celebration and Bal played out a few tunes. There was such a good atmosphere and everyone was socially distanced.
“The police car even turned up and officers wanted a photo with him.”
“Since the lockdown, everybody here has been so supportive, we are all friends now.”
Just a normal day In Chellaston, and we spot Indian Elvis entertaining his street. Great to see the community out and enjoying a (socially distanced) Sunday afternoon.
They’ll be no “Jailhouse Rock” today though. pic.twitter.com/zmWwOZF5v8— Derbyshire Armed Response Unit (@DerbyshireARU) November 22, 2020
Mr Johal has been an Elvis tribute act since the early 1990s when karaoke in pubs and clubs gained popularity.
He previously said: “They were asking for singers in this bar and my friend said ‘Go on Bal, you’re always singing, why don’t you have a go?’
“I was very, very nervous and after a bit of encouragement – and a stiff drink, may I say – they put me on and that was it.
“Once you sing you get almost like a nice kind of addiction, you want to do it again and you like the applause. I was just hooked.”
In August 2017, he performed in Barrow to mark 40 years since Elvis Presley’s tragic death.
He sang many of The King’s greatest hits while also featuring some from the legendary singer’s final gig in June 1977.
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