|
J.D Sumner & The Stamps
Elvis had been a fan of J.D Sumner since he was 16 years old.
He would sneak
in the back door of the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis to hear the captivating deep
melodies bass tones that J.D would sing. Elvis and J.D became friends, and as
soon as EP career took off a couple of years later, The King made sure to sign
J.D and his group, "The Stamps Quartet" for his shows and gospel recordings.
The Sweet Inspirations
The Sweet Inspirations were also back-up singers for Elvis Presley.
The "Sweets" worked with Elvis in Vegas, on his national concert
tours, and on recordings from 1969 to 1977. The ladies added their
soulful blend and powerful vocals to many Elvis songs and can be
seen on Elvis on Tour and Elvis: That's The Way It Is.
The Imperials
While you
may know that gospel greats The Imperials provided Elvis with male
backing vocals from 1969 to 1971, you may be surprised to learn that
they worked with Elvis a bit before that. The Imperials actually
performed on the 1966 sessions for Elvis' How Great Thou Art album.
This astoundingly beautiful collaboration resulted in EP receiving
his first Grammy Award for Best Sacred Performance of 1967.
Kathy Westmoreland
Fans
have known her for years as the "beautiful little girl with a high
voice" --as Elvis would always introduce her during concerts-- and
indeed, Kathy Westmoreland was. The petite woman held her own
onstage with brilliant vocal range and harmony. She also had a brief
relationship with EP during the mid-70s.
The TCB Band
Elvis'
band consisted of a group of outstanding musicians who created the
sound and rhythm to the Presley tracks of 1969-1977. Elvis called
them the "TCB Band", which of course stood for his motto, Taking
Care of Business. And take care of business they did.
Joe Guercio
Joe Guercio
was musical director and conductor for Elvis' concert shows from the
summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977 when Elvis made his last
concert appearance. His career with Elvis started with the motion
picture 'That's the Way It Is.' Guercio can be credited for
suggesting that Elvis' shows open with Theme from 2001 - A Space
Odyssey (Also Sprach Zarathustra).
Al Dvorin
Al Dvorin was
the producer and master of ceremonies who, during an Elvis Presley
concert in the 1970s, coined the famous phrase "Ladies and
gentlemen, Elvis has left the building. Thank you and goodnight." He
also led a twenty-piece orchestra that provided the music for some
of Elvis' concerts.Sadly, Al was killed in an automobile accident
near Ivanpah, California on the way home from an Elvis impersonator
convention. The car was being driven by Ed Bonja, an Elvis
photographer, and missed a curve on a remote highway. Bonja was also
hurt but his injuries where not life threatening.
Ed Bonja
Ed Bonja first
met Elvis at a party in 1964. He was introduced to him by his uncle
Tom Diskin, who was the Colonel's right hand man at the time. Ed
began traveling with Elvis as his tour and concession manager in
1970. Soon after, Ed became Elvis' official Photographer and Tour
Manager. His Elvis photography has been featured on everything from
magazines to t-shirts, including the album covers for "Moody Blue"
and "Aloha from Hawaii."
|
