Elvis is always on my mind!

Aug 10 2007 By Poppy Brady, Birmingham Mail

TWO of the King's biggest fans are bowing out in style after helping to keep the Elvis Presley legend alive in Birmingham for more than three decades.

Veteran jivers Malcolm and Margaret Watkins, joint presidents of the Elvis Presley Rock 'n' Roll Club, will be taking off their blue suede shoes for the final time tomorrow as they mark the 30th anniversary of the legend's death.

Everyone remembers what they were doing the day Elvis's death was announced on August 16, 1977.

But for the couple, whose Quinton home is a shrine to Elvis, every day since has been a homage to the star.

They have run the club together since 1980, but been involved with it since the early 70s.

"Margaret and I have decided it's time to finally put our feet up because there's a lot of work involved with the club," said Malcolm, aged 66, who named one of their two sons Garon after Elvis's twin brother who died at birth.

"We've decided we want a bit more time to ourselves now, but I know we'll be spending it visiting other fan clubs and adding to our huge collection of memorabilia.

"Elvis brought Margaret and me together because we first met at a rock 'n' roll club. When we got married we found we needed an entire room to store all our Elvis treasures."

A 'den' in the Watkins' home has thousands of records, CDs and books about the King. They also have a complete set of the original Elvis fanzine magazine.

Malcolm added: "There is still a fantastic Elvis following across Birmingham and it's still one of the best places to be a fan.

"We're expecting a lot of people at our event tomorrow because the nearest Elvis event is in Coventry."

Joey and the Jivers will be topping the bill at Cradley Rock'n'Roll Club, Colleygate, Halesowen, from 8pm until late tomorrow. Admission is £7. For more details contact Malcolm and Margaret on 0121 427 9113 or Neil on 07718 516 825.