Finn Makes Elvis King of 'Sumerian Rock'
New York Times
Friday, January 22, 1999

HELSINKI, Finland, Jan. 21 (Reuters) -- A Finnish academic known for recording Elvis Presley songs in Latin is planning a new record of eternal hits -- in the ancient Sumerian language.

The academic, Jukka Ammondt, said today that he intended to bring out a Sumerian single in the next few months and an album in the fall. He has been practicing with the song "Blue Suede Shoes" -- translated into the cuneiform language of Babylonia, which died out about 2000 B.C.

"Elvis would have liked the idea because the ancient Sumerians had big parties and drums and rattles, and the roots of rock may go back to manšs earliest efforts to get a grip on life," said Mr. Ammondt, who has produced two records of Elvis songs in Latin.

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