Most of us aged about 50 or more can remember where we were when we heard the news of John F Kennedy's assassination on November 22, 1963, or when Martin Luther King met a similar fate on April 4, 1968.

These tragedies affected the course of history.

Far less traumatic but nonetheless momentous 20th-Century memories remain etched in the consciousness. As a progressive music fan, Elvis Presley's death reached me by way of John Peel's groundbreaking Radio One late-evening show. John sounded shaken and, clearly, could scarcely take in the reports he was receiving.

Once confirmed, he made a typically schmaltz-free tribute and, in the blink of an eye, it's now the 25th anniversary.

Many people seem obsessed with Elvis's rock 'n' roll persona, forgetting the singer's incredible vocal repertoire. They should check out his blues and gospel classics, which remain probably the most outstanding performances in these genres by a white artiste. Elvis was certainly a lot more than just a shakin' pelvis.

-William Fraser, Summerheath Road, Hailsham