MEMPHIS, Tennessee (AP) ― Elvis Presley left behind hit songs, epic performances, some so-so movies and an image as a handsome, rebellious, talented and sometimes-troubled artist that remains indelibly marked in America’s pop culture psyche 35 years after his death.
Presley also left behind memories held closely and deeply by the songwriters and musicians who not only helped him work his magic in the studio and onstage, but also worked hard to keep his music alive today. Many described him as intelligent, humble and generous.
DJ Fontana, Elvis’ longtime drummer, met Presley during the popular “Louisiana Hayride” shows in the early 1950s. Fontana, who still tours and plays Elvis songs, said Presley rarely rehearsed and always appeared cool.
“He never did prepare for nothing, early on,” Fontana said. “Every time he came onstage he was ready. He never did get really nervous, you know.”
Fontana, studio musician Bobby Wood and others are playing a 35th-anniversary tribute concert in Memphis on Thursday, commemorating the day Presley died in 1977 at 42. The event is part of Elvis Week, the annual celebration of all things Elvis that includes the candlelight vigil at his mansion, Graceland, on the eve of the death anniversary.
Elvis Week will draw about 75,000 fans. Ex-wife Priscilla Presley and daughter Lisa Marie Presley are expected to attend the concert, which will include live musicians playing along with video footage of Elvis singing.
Also in attendance will be songwriter Mike Stoller, who teamed with the late Jerry Leiber to form a songwriting duo that today is enshrined in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Stoller appeared at a songwriter’s forum at Graceland on Saturday.
Leiber and Stoller wrote an impressive roster of pop, country, R&B and rock ‘n’ roll classics, including Elvis recordings “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Don’t” and “Loving You.”
Stoller recalls being impressed with Presley’s hard work and his manners. When they met, Stoller had to tell Elvis to refer to the songwriters ― who were only two years older ― as Jerry and Mike, not sir.
During the recording of “Jailhouse Rock,” Stoller was sure they had nailed it on the ninth take’
“He was already up to take 25, 26, and he kept saying, ‘I think I can do it better,’” Stoller said. “Finally he said, ‘Where’s that one that you liked?’ We went back and played it and he said, ‘Yeah, that’s it, that’s cool.’”
