A SINGER has been treating neighbours in his street to a weekly concert during the coronavirus lockdown.

Kevin Dray, now known as the Sunninghill Singer, has been blasting out songs every Thursday in Sunninghill Avenue in Hangleton after the Clap for Carers event.

The 59-year-old said: “Someone started up a neighbourhood watch group on WhatsApp before the coronavirus hit, but since it happened the group has really grown.

“Someone asked if anyone in the street could sing, so of course I stepped up.

“I’ve been singing right outside every week with a roaming microphone so I can walk up and down the street and I leave a window open so everyone can hear it through my PA system.

“Everyone has embraced it and they’ve all been looking forward to it each week.

“Other neighbours have joined in and more and more people have been wanting to get involved. All the kids come out to watch as well with their parents.

“It’s uplifting and boy do we need that right now.”

The Argus: Kevin Dray has been delighting residents in Hove with his weekly performancesKevin Dray has been delighting residents in Hove with his weekly performances

Kevin, who has previously joined bands as a guest vocalist and performed on the open mic scene in Brighton, only started singing when he turned 50.

Each week he has been dressing up and singing tracks by different pop and rock stars, including Robbie Williams, Oasis, Madness and the Beastie Boys.

He said: “Dressing up is good fun and I often alter the lyrics as a message to support the NHS and to tackle the fight against Covid-19.

“It’s really brought the community together. You’re talking to people that you have never even met before.

“That’s been the really nice thing about it – everyone in the street coming together. It’s also just good to have a bit of fun.

“The coronavirus has been so depressing and a lot of people have lost their lives.

“But we are all facing it together and I think that’s one good thing to come out of this.

“It’s like in the war – the situation is perhaps not as bad as that but when they had a problem they all mucked in together and this is the same.”

The Argus: Kevin in his Oasis get-up as Liam Gallagher Kevin in his Oasis get-up as Liam Gallagher

As the final Clap for Carers event is set to take place tomorrow evening, Kevin said he will be giving his final concert – but he is keeping his last pop act a surprise.

He said: “When this is all over I’m sure we’ll have a proper street party, when it’s safe to do so.

“As it looks like the final week clapping for our wonderful NHS and essential workers, Sunninghill Avenue will end on a high – will it be Robbie, Freddie or Elvis, or a combination of all three? Whatever, it’s going to be a final party night to remember.”