In a world of modern music dominated by electronic beats, vile ticking hi-hat and autotune, 23-year-old Elliot James Reay from the northern English town of Bury, like a time traveler, takes us back to the golden era of rock and roll. His meteoric rise is a story not only about talent, but also about unconditional loyalty to his vision, which is now resonating with millions around the world.
Origins and Influences: Rock and Roll Legends
Elliot draws inspiration from the greatest icons. His main guides to the world of music were Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison, whose love was instilled by his parents. “I’ve been listening to Elvis all my life—literally. My mom said she played his music when she was pregnant with me,” the artist admits. Elliot posted several Elvis songs on YouTube including Can’t Help Falling In Love, Crying In The Chapel, and If I Can Dream.
“When I recorded the last one, I realized that I had opened a can of worms that would crawl out of the Elvis fan community if I suddenly hit the wrong note or let myself sing worse than the King.”
He was also influenced by Billy Fury, Jerry Lee Lewis and Hank Williams, as well as such giants of rhythm and blues as Sam Cooke and The Ink Spots. There are eternal melodies in their music. There’s something special about the way they wrote their music, it’s simple and not oversaturated, just pure emotions and great songwriting.
Elliot doesn’t aim to be a copy. His goal is to create music that could sound next to the classics of rock and roll. As he says himself, “I don’t want to imitate Elvis; I want to create something that could be incorporated with him.” He was particularly influenced by the vocal style and emotional depth of Roy Orbison, whose records were given to him by a devoted fan during his street performances.
Style: Not a stage costume, but a way of life.
His appearance is not a stage image, but a reflection of his essence. He wears clothes in the style of the 50s, classic jackets and shirts. His signature pompadour hairstyle is also part of his everyday look. They tried to influence him by offering to become “the next James Bay,” but this only strengthened his resolve. He also finds inspiration in the style of film legends such as James Dean, in which he is attracted by “unconditional coolness.”
The Path to Success: from the streets to the world stage
Elliot began his career with street performances (basking) in his native Bury. It was there that he honed his skills, performing covers of Elvis and Tom Jones, and realized the main thing: music should be an authentic experience that will be remembered for a lifetime.
Elliot James Reay – I Think They Call This Love (mp3)
The turning point came with the release of the single “I Think They Call This Love” in 2024. Despite the skepticism of some, he insisted on his own. The song went viral on TikTok, gaining over 121 million views, and his social media accounts skyrocketed, gaining over 5 million subscribers. The success of the debut EP “All This To Say I Love You” and a completely sold-out UK tour proved that his music finds a huge response.
What’s in the future
For Elliot, authenticity is important not only in the recording, but also on stage. “You shouldn’t sound any different than you do on the record,” he says. His goal is to give viewers an intimate, unforgettable experience. The musician is preparing his first full-length album. In 2025, he toured the USA and Europe, introducing the world to his nostalgic but lively sound. His concert setlist, in addition to songs from the EP and new things Hello There and Mr.E, includes evergreen classics: Unchained Melody, Guitar Man and Pretty Woman. Elliot James Reay wants to prove that rock and roll is alive, and he is ready to attract a new generation of zoomers.
