Elvis could change chart history

Elvis's last number one was Way Down in 1977

By Matt Shepherd BBC News Online

Elvis Presley could top the charts once again with the re-release of forgotten track A Little Less Conversation - 25 years after his death.

A remix version of the song is released on Monday and has built up strong appeal thanks to its use on an advert and in a recent movie.

The Beatles have matched Presley's record for 25 years

But the Dutch DJ who helped create the new Presley single has been forced to change his name to satisfy the King's estate.

Dutch remixer Tom Holkenborg has dropped his normal alias, Junkie XL, to become just JXL because Elvis's relatives were unhappy about the reference to drugs.

Whatever the label credits, the new record is seen as likely to give Elvis a new number one and change chart history.

For decades Elvis and the Beatles have tied on 17 UK number ones each - but this could now change.

If the King does get to number one then he will be back in the Guiness Book Of Records as the artist with the most number ones.

But the King will face stiff competition from Kylie Minogue, who also releases her latest song on Monday.

The song first appeared in one of Elvis's 1960s movies and as the B-side to his 1968 single, Almost In Love.

Elvis was a heart-throb to millions around the world

It eventually appeared on a budget Elvis album in 1971 and was soon virtually forgotten by all but the die-hard Elvis fans.

A previously un-released version of A Little Less Conversation appeared on the soundtrack album for Ocean's 11, the recent remake of the rat pack classic.

It was this version that sport giants Nike decided to use in its massive advert campaign for the world cup.

The company then employed Tom Holkenborg, or DJ JXL, to remix the song after seeking permission from the Elvis Presley estate.

Elvis rose to fame in 1956

The estate, which protects and promotes Elvis' image and music surprised many by giving the all-clear for the song to be remixed.

Elvis fans the world over started to wonder how the song would go down with the pop buying public of today, given that Elvis died in 1977.

But Radio 1, despite its new music policy, placed the Elvis song on their top play-list weeks ago.

Record collectors have been rushing to bid on auction websites for promotion copies of the song, which is finally released on 10 June after weeks of airplay - and copies have been changing hands for £70.