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We lost another icon. . . RIP DJ Fontana

Posts: 876 Threads: 77

According to Drummer Mag The original drummer for Elvis Presley’s band and a pioneer of the rockabilly sound died Wednesday at age 87.

D.J. Fontana accompanied Elvis Presley on 460 recordings over 14 years, and in 2009 was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Fontana helped make history on Elvis’ famous 1956 Ed Sullivan Show taping (where Elvis’ hip-swiveling was censored for being too risque) and the historic “1968 Comeback Special.” He’s also a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and has played with everyone from Ringo Starr to Keith Richards to Dolly Parton.

I remember playing along to many of Elvis' recordings that DJ was featured on when I was just learning to play. I'm sure many of us have done the same.

Gone but not forgotten

Michael

No Guru - I just love collecting & learning about vintage drums!

Some of my favorites from the kits in the collection
58 WFL New Yorker Blue Sparkle
67 Ludwig Hollywood Red Psychedelic
69 Ludwig Standard Red Ruby Strata
70's Ludwig BOP "Ringo" Kit

A few of my favorite snares
20's Leedy Black Elite
51 Leedy & Ludwig Knob Tension
58 WFL Buddy Rich Classic Blue Sparkle
63 Walberg & Auge Sea Blue Agave Green Pearl
66 Leedy Shelly Manne Blue Agate Pearl
Posted on 6 years ago
#1
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226

RIP

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 6 years ago
#2
Posts: 1427 Threads: 66

I was working with a cover band for a short time... the “elvis” was a student of Ray Parks who I guess was Elvis’ karate I Structal well.

Anyway, my point is I never gave him his due credit until learning those old tunes. My mom was a huge Elvis fan so we had all the records but I never got that into him.

He was a great drummer and I think one of, if not THE, pioneer bridging rock a billy and rock n roll.

Party on DJ!

Cobalt Blue Yamaha Recording Custom 20b-22b-8-10-12-13-15-16f-18f
Red Ripple '70's Yamaha D-20 20b-12-14f
Piano Black Yamaha Recording Custom Be-Bop kit 18b-10-14f
Snares:
Yamaha COS SDM5; Yamaha Cobalt Blue RC 5-1/2x14; Gretsch round badge WMP; 1972 Ludwig Acrolite; 1978 Ludwig Super Sensitive; Cobalt Blue one-off Montineri; Yamaha Musashi 6.5X13 Oak; cheap 3.5X13 brass piccolo
Posted on 6 years ago
#3
Posts: 5550 Threads: 576

All the drummers in the heavens

April 2nd 1969 scarfed pink champagne holly wood and 65/66 downbeat snare, and , supra same year very minty kit old pies
66/67 downbeat with canister
Super 400 small round knob
1967 super classic obp





once the brass ceases to glitter, and the drum looses its luster, and the stage remains dark, all you have left is the timbre of family.
Posted on 6 years ago
#4
Guest

Such a great groove player. Listen to DJ's drumming on Alvin Lee's Memphis rockabilly album. He owned that record. RIP, DJ.

Posted on 6 years ago
#5
Posts: 617 Threads: 7

In 1995 I had the honor of double drumming on a track with DJ. That was one of the highlights of my career.

He was a true gentleman, a really great guy!

Posted on 6 years ago
#6
Posts: 142 Threads: 24

One of the reasons I play drums is due to hearing D.J. Fontana in "Jailhouse Rock" . I was 7 or 8 y/o. Rest In Peace.

Posted on 6 years ago
#7
Posts: 1880 Threads: 292

I had stumbled across this just last week. Great interview done in a few series

with different tunes. Great guy and a solid, creative drummer. He literally was THE first

rock drummer on tv ! Great words of wisdom on his drumming approach from a time when

"rock drumming" wasn't even a concept. And check out that beauty Ludwig he's playing on!

Cheers,

Rob

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8v8E7H4OW0"]How to Play Drums on Hound Dog by Elvis Presley with D.J. Fontana - YouTube[/ame]

Posted on 6 years ago
#8
Posts: 142 Threads: 24

Hello.

Nice article about D.J. in Gretsch web page. Here is the link. Enjoy:

http://www.gretschdrums.com/blogs/gretsch-family-perspective-2018-06-on-the-passing-of-d-j-fontana

Posted on 6 years ago
#9
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