If there’s one thing The Music Man readers love to see, it’s a young musician who brings the hits of yesteryear into the modern day. Well, that’s exactly what Elliot James Reay has done with his online videos, which have been taking the internet by storm. With his retro style and 50s-esque quiff, Elliot looks just the part to bring rock’n’roll music back to a modern audience. Despite being only 22 himself, Elliot has made a name for himself by covering songs that were written over 60 years ago.
One of Elliot’s favourite artists to cover is Elvis Presley and, boy, does he have the voice for it. With his rich tone, Elliot is able to croon with the best of them. One of his most popular covers is his version of ‘Can’t Help Falling In Love’, which has climbed to over 4.2M views over the last year. Playing his guitar in front of a Melbourne sunset, Elliot performed a heartfelt rendition of the song that prompted one viewer to comment, “Probably the best version since Elvis himself.”
Elliot has made an impression not only among online music fans but also among various public figures. These include broadcaster Donna Demaio, fashion designer Dom Bagnato, and even music producer Valentine Javanoska, who made predictions for his future success. Off the back of his online success, Elliot has now found a manager in LA, and his debut single is coming out on July 17th. So, make sure to listen to Elliot’s music now, Music Man readers, so you can say you were ahead of the curve.
Despite Elliot forging his own path in the music industry, many people’s greatest joy is still hearing him bring his talents to classic rock ‘n’ roll. With the rise of platforms like TikTok, older songs have been finding their way into the mainstream again. Elliot also posted a cover of Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder”—a song that went viral online over 60 years after its original release. This young singer is clearly well-poised to follow in these musical legends’ footsteps.
At the Music Man, we love to see how music’s legacy can continue through covers, tributes, and transformations, keeping it relevant to a modern-day audience. Not only is Elliot James Reay bringing covers of these songs to a new audience, but he is also adopting the vocal style of another time and transmuting it into a blend of retro renaissance and his own unique vocal style. With die-hard Elvis and rock ’n’ roll fans persevering into the present day, it is clear that the popularity of this musical style isn’t going away any time soon. Perhaps Elliot is just the kind of person we need to truly bring it back into the present-day music scene.
If you would like to hear more from this talented musician, you can subscribe to Elliot James Reay’s YouTube Channel for more incredible music. Connect with him on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated with his latest projects. For more information, visit his official website .
