Elvis has been gone for years, and now his drummer D.J. Fontana has died, leaving no more living members of the original Elvis Presley backup group. D.J. died peacefully in his sleep a few days ago, but his drumming legacy will live on forever.
D.J. Fontana was on set for the famous Ed Sullivan Show performance by Elvis, and he would stay with Elvis through the glory years; the popular ’68 Comeback Special’ and subsequent tours through the early 70s. When not touring with Elvis, D.J, stayed busy as a session drummer, playing behind Jeff Beck, Ringo Starr, Keith Richards, and Paul McCartney.
D.J. Fontana was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the coveted Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. D.J. Fontana is gone at the age of 87.
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