Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: Life Stories

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis

Documentaries

21/07/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis

In 1966, American Dean Reed was the first western rock star to tour the Soviet Union

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)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

The US singer who became the Soviet Union’s Red Elvis

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service