The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis
In 1966, at the height of the Cold War, American Dean Reed became the first western rock and roll star to tour the Soviet Union. He was soon christened ‘Red Elvis’.
In 1966, at the height of the Cold War, American singer Dean Reed became the first western rock and roll star to tour the Soviet Union.
His visit was such a success that over the next two decades Dean became known as ‘Red Elvis’.
His concerts behind the Iron Curtain were sell-outs and he was mobbed by fans.
But when he wanted to return home to the United States, the reaction he faced was very different, as Dean’s daughter Ramona told Jane Wilkinson.
(Photo: Dean Reed in East Berlin, 1976. Credit: Getty Images)
Last on
More episodes
Previous
Broadcasts
- Fri 21 Jul 2023 07:50GMTÂ鶹Éç World Service
- Fri 21 Jul 2023 11:50GMTÂ鶹Éç World Service
- Fri 21 Jul 2023 17:50GMTÂ鶹Éç World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa
- Fri 21 Jul 2023 21:50GMTÂ鶹Éç World Service East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa only
- Sat 22 Jul 2023 02:50GMTÂ鶹Éç World Service except Australasia
Featured in...
Soviet history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Music history—Witness History
Listen to and download our programmes
Podcast
-
Witness History
History as told by the people who were there