D.J. Fontana, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer who used to play drums for Elvis Presley, has passed away. He was 87 years old.
D.J. Fontana Dies
The musician's son, Dave Fontana, broke the news to fans on a Facebook post on Wednesday, June 13. He reported that the respected drummer died peacefully in his sleep inside their home in Tennessee.
"I told everyone that I would keep you posted. My Dad passed away in his sleep at 9:33 tonight. He was very comfortable with no pain," Dave wrote on Facebook. "We ask for privacy at this time. Thank you for your love and prayers."
The cause of his death has not been made public as of this writing, but his wife, Karen, divulged to the Associated Press that the instrumentalist has been suffering from complications after breaking his hip in 2016.
D.J. Fontana's Life And Legacy
Dominic Joseph Fontana, known by fans as D.J., was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on March 15, 1931. He learned how to play the drums on his own, and he did it by listening to big band records in high school, according to The Tennessean.
He got hired as a resident drummer for the Louisiana Hayride, a radio and television show, where he played for country music stars such as Webb Pierce and Faron Young. He also met Elvis through the show in 1954.
At the time, the would-be rock and roll icon has already been performing with Bill Black and Scotty Moore. They also have recorded a cut of "That's Alright, Mama," Elvis' debut single. It was Scotty who approached D.J. about joining the band.
Since then, D.J. has played on about 460 of Elvis' hits including "Heartbreak Hotel." He was also present during the King's historic appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show.
He played as part of the rock and roll icon's permanent band for over 14 years. However, when Elvis invited him to come to Las Vegas, D.J. declined and decided to stay home in Nashville.
D.J. last saw The King in the mid-seventies when he was recording in Nashville. Elvis died in 1977.
The renowned and in-demand drummer also played with other rock and country icons including Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Dolly Parton, and Roy Orbison. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a sideman in 2009.
D.J. Fontana also happens to be the last living member of Elvis' original band.
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