D. J. Fontana Talks About His Years With Elvis

D. J. Fontana played drums behind Elvis in concerts, on TV and in the movies for fourteen years. In this 1999 interview, he reveals some aspects of his Elvis years that have not been told before or since. His descriptions and attitude about Col. Tom Parker and the Memphis "Mafia" are telling in the context of the times. Life for the original musicians, Scotty Moore, Bill Black and D. J. should have been different had they been treated properly or, at the very least, paid for the caliber of work they produced. Sure, Elvis was great, but without that original band would he have made it out of Memphis? We will never know - we just thank God that "Big Bang" of musicians hit it at just the right time.

[@joelmcnultymusic]

The magic of Scotty, DJ, Bill and Elvis was never matched. Better technical players replaced them, but these guys were the vintage sound of Elvis at his absolute best.

[@nitasheehan2704]

Yes!

[@rongrover3383]

You got that right! 100%

[@brachio1000]

Agreed.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

This man makes no pretenses. Simple, flat, honest, down to earth. How could you not like this man.

[@abelincoln5698]

hes like most Southern and Midwestern men from that generation . Just good honest hard working people.Reminds me of my Dad and Uncles and their friends

[@fireboy4806]

Yeah he’s actually my great grandpa I’m not joking

[@janetleatham9772]

Brilliant to hear and see lovely Man

[@maxmoon2254]

All drummers stand on the shoulders of this humble giant.

[@fireboy4806]

This is my great grandpa legit I’m not joking man

[@sandrap6321]

Nobody gives that young Elvis credit as a gifted producer. So glad this interview was recorded for posterity. Wonder who were the hangers on he wouldn't name.

[@jonathanbaggs4275]

I knew DJ. He and some Nashville cats called me to play bass in a liitle off shoot group in the early 1990s. He was a lot of fun to be around. In the middle of gigs I'd glance over my shoulder and think to myself "damn, I'm playing in a band with dj fontana." We did mostly old standards like "I'll fly away" and things like that. After shows we'd go eat BBQ. Always had BBQ after every show. When I first met him I was setting up my bass rig and he came up to check on the kit he'd be playing that night. I was nervous cause I grew up seeing him in the early Elvis movies and I knew how he'd influenced rock and roll. Dj looked at me and starting telling me not to ask him about Elvis and how he didn't want to talk about elvis. I finally glanced up at him and said, "elvis who?" He laughed and said "all right then, you'll do fine." I never did ask him about elvis though I was dying to. He got a call to play with Keith Richard's of the stones and didn't tell me knowing im a huge stones fan. I jokingly berated him for that. Dj was a fine fellow and I miss him. I still have his personal phone number in an old rolodex. He was living breathing rock and roll history and still is in my memories. Just to put rumors to rest - yes that is his real hair.

[@essessessesq]

good story, thanks

[@msblue1003]

Great story!

[@gracieg7601]

I love all the musicians who worked with Elvis. They had such respect for him! They were the absolute top people. Quality human beings.

[@florabraswell8423]

D J Fontana , just so down to earth, he was in the right place at the right time “he’s going down in History with with Elvis Presley along with all the others! Boy Elvis had a bunch of people involved with him Very Good interview Son 🕺🙏💙

[@star4evr9]

Elvis knew the kind of people to pick to be in his inside circle of musicians and friends. I loved all the guys he chose. I got to know of them mainly from the wonderful videos here on KZbin.

[@essessessesq]

@@star4evr9 so true!

[@371francis]

What a nice and genuine man. RIP DJ.

[@danielholman7225]

He’s real sharp. Good memory for details.

[@sandralybrand9425]

Elvis started out with the cream of the crop! Afterwards when Elvis went back to his roots, (after movies) he handpicked his musicians and backup singers and orchestra leader,so he died having the cream of the crop! I loved this interviewer ask a question and let him talk with no interruptions! I wish all interviewers were like that!

[@techiedls4308]

Rest in Peace, Mr. Fontana. Thank you for the music 💐

[@joanne26]

Hello from England Just some wonderful memories DJ has about his life and what a great life he had. Not many left who knew Elvis

[@stovebolt448]

D.J. if your looking down and reading these comments Thank You for all the music you gave us, you and boots on girls, girls girls just blew everything away, love it, RIP, thanks again D.J. God Bless You!

[@essessessesq]

good one! the sax and drums on Girls, Girls, Girls are superb...you can tell that EP's band on that track was having a BALL and cooking with gas!

[@truthseeker474]

Elvis was lucky to have met & performed in a band with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana & Bill Black. They were meant to be together by Fate. Elvis & all 3 worked very hard to achieve the unique sound.

[@brendabooher6683]

Such an honest down to earth country boy. Elvis really liked him and spoke kindly of him. He was a great drummer. May he R.i.p.

[@nitasheehan2704]

Elvis preferred down home, unpretentious people, just like him. Honest interview, great insight into early Elvis, my favorite time.

[@michaelhampton9493]

D. J you are a legend along with Scotty and Bill . Without you 3 Elvis would not have had such a great sound. All us Elvis fans love you.

[@elvisdaru]

This man is so humble...its unbelievable...

[@johnfeatherstone7299]

What a down to earth, modest man. No edge at all. Loved his manner. Great interview.

[@lisaapopelp]

Very down to earth man lovely man who loved Elvis. And a great drummer

[@kitthevideoman]

A tip of the hat to D.J. Fontana for these marvelous reminiscences.

[@103121]

This is the best. D.J. is so down to earth. Real history right here. Thanks for posting.

[@Pantherking916]

RIP DJ you contributed to the magic that was the King.

[@SenorZorrozzz]

If you had a big ego you wouldn’t name all of these other players. This man mentions them, complements them.... He’s a rare musician.

[@nikolayyanev5222]

THE BEAT behind THE KING RIP DJ Thank you for the great music

[@ARichardP]

That was throughly enjoyable, like a book you can’t put down. Love the way he said “They were all out of Shreveport.”

[@hamishmcdog48]

Very good interview. I was not familiar with DJ but I see he just passed. Sounded like a great guy straight up.

[@mattwilliamwhite]

What an honour and a privilege to have the pleasure of listening to a gentleman like Mr Fontana. He might very well have no proper idea of just how much we value him. Part of a select elite that just about nudged the planet off its behavioural axis

[@alandasilva8255]

Scotty, Bill and DJ were the best musicians to produce with El, the best sound ever made! They changed the course of American music ever since. Sure did.

[@paulmalloy3403]

I had the pleasure to meet this gentleman & he is a legend....

[@wespaul9345]

This is a little gem. Them good old boys. Man, he reeks of integrity. A deal is a deal. From a time when the measure of a man was his word. Not his wallet. A whole lot of people can learn something here.

[@jeannaleemarie]

RIP DJ Fontana

[@bennietoups1719]

Love this with D J.

[@haro82]

It's really amazing how humble and down to earth these men (Scotty Moore and D.J.) are. Especially considering what they accomplished. Try to find that in ANY of today's artists.

[@davidverster9523]

Yes..todays artists self centred supercilious shallow people...particularly the female shriekers

[@PAT3978]

haro82 Real talent such as these men don’t need to brag or embellish as their music speaks for itself. Crap artists these days feel the need to have to overcompensate their less than mediocre “music skills” with BS and bling.

[@thomashall9182]

You are so right, their musical knowledge is apparent from their musical experiences.

[@samlevin]

such a nice person; kind and so real

[@myoung48281]

i loved the way this guy played!

[@essessessesq]

Yes! As just one example, DJ and scotty created the start of the Jailhouse Rock song...thy created the sound of convicts smacking rocks on a rockpile! check it and see

[@ggrace1133]

What a genuinely great guy!

[@BlingBlinkyOfTEXAS]

What an incredible journey D.J. Fontana has had! Great interview!!

[@gracieg7601]

The sweets have great stories too! Need to listen to their stories. They are fun! Even Whitney Houston loved Elvis. Her mom was in the sweets. Whitney said when you meet Elvis all you do is just look at him. She was a young child. She said she couldn’t speak. She just stared at Elvis.

[@essessessesq]

the Beatles did the same thing when they finally got to meet their idol in 1965.....they silently stared at him!...EP finally broke the ice by saying "If all you boys are goin' to do is STARE at me, ah'm goin' up ta bed!"...they all laughed and started talking

[@jeffmoore9487]

DJ is a perfect witness. Not at any moment did he stretch anything, just a very refreshing - tell it like it is guy. The interviewer does a great job too, accepting what he's hearing but covering a thousand topics quickly without inserting much of his own except to put another topic forward. These are good people talking about something that influenced the decades going forward.

[@dennydeckerful]

WOW, WOW, WOW, this is amazing. So honest and true...The best interview and answers I've seen in a very long time.

[@zelpho3]

This is a great companion to Scotty Moore's book, which I read recently. These guys changed the world!

[@haro82]

And amazingly, they are severely underrated.

[@essessessesq]

Yes, good book by Scotty, titled "That's Alright, Elvis"

[@lightshadow44]

This is a honest man! There is no lying in him whatsoever. The best of the clan

[@fluffybum2440]

Great memories D J. Your recollections felt very honest and showed you to be a decent man. I'm glad Elvis recognised your loyalty. Thoroughly enjoyed listening to it. Such a change from those closer to Elvis who disrespected him with probably exaggerated claims of their time with him. So Elvis put 'ol Frank's nose out of joint! Ha, ha. When I watched the video of that show, I did get a sense that Frank Sinatra was not as welcoming to Elvis as you would have expected. His face was like a torn scone. He obviously recognised that this new whipper snapper had much more natural talent in his little finger than FS had in his entire career. Huh.

[@essessessesq]

In 1956 Frank said "rock and roll is created and played by cretinous goons" give Frank credit, though, he was a great vocalist

[@joannemcclure3546]

Absolutely, no one could ever be better the the King!

[@kathyeberhardt8864]

I well always love you Elvis ❤

[@mapachehombre1581]

Great doco D J always showing Elvis in good light 👌

[@holmes1978]

God Bless him may he R.I.P

[@dannybam1]

One of the amazing dude man great drummer Great interview too

[@13loomisst73]

I've been listening to EP since he started. This is the best interview about that time I've ever heard. Damn straightforward.Thanks very much.

[@TheBeatles..]

What a sensational interview, DJ really spoke about things Ive never heard about in 40 years as an elvis fan ie walking w elvis after a show to tire him, or why he ended up playing the back of a guitar case at the 68 special. RIP DJ

[@essessessesq]

i believe DJ also used a guitar case instead of drums on 2 big hit records..."All Shook Up" and "Treat Me Nice."

[@jennifursun3303]

wish i could meet this man

[@guitarcheologist]

Excellent video of one of the originals in Rock & Roll!

[@THELOVEDONESMUSIC]

God bless DJ and his family..RIP DJ 6/14/2018

[@joebaird2570]

True E may not have blasted off when he did without the original band. We know they were about to give up that day in the studio.. But ! Story goes it was Elvis impromptu jam that brought them all back into it ! "Thats All Right.." Hard to believe with his ability that he would not have kept trying and eventually find his way..... He was too too very good.... Born with it.....died with it still there !

[@maggieshome]

What an amazing man his stories very interesting good to hear the truth

[@cards1985]

Awesome

[@roymarksberry4152]

I met him at the Taft theater in Cincinnati in Cincinnati he was very nice man to me

[@christinebmorel5853]

Rip DJ.❤😇😢👍👌

[@2011littlejohn1]

That was absolutely wonderful. What a nice down to earth guy and the interviewer asked decent questions and didn't lead the conversation just let it flow so naturally. He also confirmed a lot of things I felt - like the early movies were good. Also his approach to playing with people is to fit in not ego trip - like the overall sound comes first. Really enjoyed listening to this.

[@patriciahardin6938]

980 t

[@2011littlejohn1]

@@patriciahardin6938 I'm sorry to be dumb but your reply was a little enigmatic, possibly even esoteric - so please explain ''980 t''.

[@patriciahardin6938]

??????????

[@2011littlejohn1]

@@patriciahardin6938 What are you asking? I thought my question was straightforward.

[@jamieminsky9436]

GREAT INTERVIEW..AND I SAW THIS YRS. AGO but what I want to comment on is this interviewers technique and questions.>>> perfection and so professional ..and yrs. later hope that all of you are doing well..Blessings to all...

[@manjay49]

Can't get much more down to earth than D.J. I love all these old stories. Some of them are just as good as the music.

[@128789842]

DJ.FONTANA; you are the really legend of drummers. We like Elvis Presley and his friends too.

[@joesmith34]

@Maximillia Keentiger. Do you have any idea why he did nt contiue playing with Elvis and Ronnie Tutt took over. Do nt get mr wrong I m a big fan of Ronnie He is an amazing player

[@128789842]

@@joesmith34 Please pay attention to my expression that I had tried to emphasize D.J.Fontana had been the first drummer in Elvis' band... Surely other drummers were legends each... I also know Ronnie Tutt (he worked with Elvis Presley for ten years- 67'-77'), Buddy Harman, Jerry Carrigan etc. I'm suprised at your reaction as an Elvis Presley fan.!

[@joesmith34]

@@128789842 Ok Got it. You say you know Ronnie Tutt What you ve met him in person? How about Kathy Westmoreland. She s beautiful and how I would have loved to have gone on a date with her. I think I m going off on a tangent here as this is supposed to be a DJ Fontana appreciation, or should we leave Kathy and Ronnie on one side.

[@128789842]

@@joesmith34 Mrs.Kathy Westmoreland was one of the Elvis Presley's vocalists and I think she's beautiful woman too... I appreciate you. Surely we shouldn't leave Elvis Presley's band members. We must appreciate all...

[@joesmith34]

@@128789842 Have you read Kathy"s book. Elvis and me. Now moving on to The Imperials. They worked Vagas with Elvis up until around 68/69. I m not sure exactly. Anyway J D Sumner and the Stamps toured with Elvis. What happened to the Imperials meanwhile. I mean to say I liked the Stamps.

[@stevedahlberg8680]

What a fantastic interview. I normally can't sit still long enough to watch something this long unless it's just music and performance or a movie or a television show but when it abruptly stopped, I just wished it kept going. I kind of wanted to hear him talk about Ronnie Tutt and that whole band.

[@essessessesq]

you raise a good point about the Vegas band....here's some background on why and how the Vegas band came about.....this info is from Scotty's book "That's Alright, Elvis"..... Scotty and DJ continued to play at all of Elvis's recording sessions until the end of 1968....and shortly after that, EP contacted both Scotty and DJ and the Jordanaires and asked them to please go to Vegas with him in 1969 for a month, playing 2 shows per night....Scotty writes in his book that they all told EP "no" and here is why...they said that it was 12 years since EP went in the army and the band had stopped doing tours, and none of them wanted to live out of hotel rooms again. They preferred being session musicians in Nashville...EP said "Scotty, what am i going to do without all of you? I've never performed without you!" Scotty says he told EP "Remember Ricky Nelson's past guitar player, James Burton? I'll call him and ask him to put a band together for you"...Burton did, and they backed EP the next 8 years. Thanks to Scotty Moore

[@stevedahlberg8680]

@@essessessesq Wow, that is at once sad but extremely interesting to know. I had always wondered about that. And the band he put together later was just phenomenal. But as a musician myself, I can totally understand that, completely. Thanks for the info man.

[@essessessesq]

@@stevedahlberg8680 Thanks, glad Scotty wrote that explanation or us. Scotty said that he and DJ and the Jords would all have LIKED to go on the road with EP again, but they now all had families and aging parents, and made good money in Nashville...so there was NO way they would go on the road again for what turned out to be EIGHT more years on tour, as EP and the new band that Scotty provided for him did. Scotty said his wife would never have permitted him to do it!

[@stevedahlberg8680]

@@essessessesq it's so sad that he never got to tour internationally. Because he clearly expressed the desire to do so. But what you're talking about even happened a bit earlier in his career because before the army he had the wonderful Jordanaires as backing vocals. I remember seeing an interview where he was asked about it later and he said well it's just so hard to get them out of Nashville now they're so entrenched. They don't want to go on the road with something like this. So I suppose it was foreshadowing for what you are talking about.

[@essessessesq]

@@stevedahlberg8680 Yes, the Jords made so much singing background for stars on records, as well as recording their own hit LPs that they would not tour with EP much, after he left the army and did a handful of shows, before stopping all shows from 1962 to 1969.....in a sense, though, he DID get to perform before foreign audiences...a LOT of the tickets at Vegas and other EP shows in the 1970s were bought by people from other countries who could afford to travel to the USA to see him....plus his world's first ever satellite TV broadcast in 1973 was seen by billions of people around the world, and EP was proud of that accomplishment

[@danmaltby3271]

What a gem video, DJ seems like a regular guy

[@orianna9200]

Dan Maltby

[@christinehalpin464]

Christina what a great interview with Scotty Moore. Such a nice man and so talented

[@whereverLv]

Legend....

[@willgaines5651]

Great interview. Great guy. Legendary times. RIP

[@tarnsand]

DJ Fontana!! Now here's a class A stand up guy. Minds his own business and has great talent integrity and respect for others which obviously comes from standing on his own morals and strengths rather than mooching off others. Cheers for upload. Really enjoyed it.

[@craigplumlee]

Great interview. One of my favorites

[@digistreet]

Thanks for video. I believe few ,this man D.J. Fontana I believe every word , thanks again this was a real interview.

[@thebeastlacey]

No doubt. As real as can be. I had the good fortune of meeting DJ many years ago in Ohio and he was as cordial and down to earth as you can imagine. I remember he was extremely tired , yet still went out of his way to connect with me. A great memory for sure!

[@diankreczmer6595]

This man is one of the most authentic of the men around Elvis

[@scanlonpat3433]

Important history. Thank you.

[@dianahayse1095]

R. I. P. man!!! Loved ya!!

[@1mystica]

What an easy going, honest man!

[@margarettaylor8107]

Without Elvis, would Scotty and Bill have made it out of Memphis? They were a great band.I love their music.Scotty and Bill looked anlooked and tried but they never found another Elvis but Elvis found another great band.Elvis would have been a star regardless. He just had that much natural talent.

[@essessessesq]

well, Scotty and DJ continued to play at all of Elvis's recording sessions until the end of 1968....and shortly after that, EP contacted both Scotty and DJ and the Jordanaires and asked them to please go to Vegas with him in 1969 for a month, playing 2 shows per night....Scotty writes in his book they they all told EP that it was 12 years since he went in the army and they had stopped doing tours, and none of them wanted to live out of hotel rooms again. EP said "Scotty, what am i going to do without all of you? I've never performed without you!" Scotty says he told EP "Remember Ricky Nelson's past guitar player, James Burton? I'll call him and ask him to put a band together for you"...Burton did, and they backed EP the next 8 years.

[@margarettaylor8107]

@@essessessesq So true. Blue Moon boys were so talented and innovators. They all respected each other..classy people. Fontana is my fav band member.

[@essessessesq]

@@margarettaylor8107 yes, DJ as a true Southern Gentleman.

[@cathygagnon4760]

And Charisma! 🕺🎶🎸

[@johnsmythe7343]

What a gentleman,and a dream,for any interviewer ,R.I.P.Mr Fontana.

[@fireboy4806]

Yup he was my great grandpa and I never got to meet him

[@carloslozada2121]

Great stuff

[@Jacqualinsmith]

What a extraordinary group of musicians, vocal groups, orchestra all of them that worked with Elvis from start to the end, they all were amazing, had such respect for him and he was sooooo good to all of them. Love hearing these stories from his true friends. Love EP always!❤️

[@Kibbleball]

Great interview. Thanks for uploading.

[@lorrainemudd5022]

Great interview

[@cityscot]

brilliant interview

[@64edwardscreek]

Very good interview!!

[@jeanbaumgartner4052]

Thanks For Sharing These Videos 📹 About ELVISPRESLEY!

[@stevepomeroy-rockin-pa-realtor]

Great interview! Love the part where DJ says they'd walk with Elvis about a mile eating some foot just so he'd go to sleep back when they started driving again (because Elvis loved to talk and play the radio in the car)!! HHAHAHA How many MILLIONS of people back then and now would have LOVED to talk with Elvis now!!! DJ, Scotty and Bill were LUCKY SOBs!!! :)

[@Bsloga]

Truly a legend and humble and honorable man. That band was special.

[@evasivy855]

I'm agreeing with all the comments about this man exhibiting first class with a down-to-earth presence here. And I think it's cute that he is sporting the hair and sideburns from back in the day.

[@jacquelineloveselvis]

Thank you D J. And thank you dan4456 for posting. BRILLIANT. Where is the rest if the interview?

[@tripacer2005]

Now heres a real drummer , he has played all typs of music in his lifetime . not just one stile . like most drummer today.

[@roberttrask9052]

Thanks much for the upload! Elvis loved the original cast.....Scotty , Bill & DJ + the Jordanaires. He used them on n off thru 68. It was the Colonel who paid the people & later on , Diamond Joe. Elvis only asked 10 bux a ticket to see his show. Elvis from 1969 & on , had a FEW groups behind him & some solo singers like millie kirkam & later Kathy Westmorland etc. + a full orchestra but Altho he didn't pay the best , many members of the groups(s) got cars & a few...HOUSES. So there were benefits at least. Elvis LOVED his original sound. Even tho I really loved JD & the stamps & the Sweets...etc, His original sound was amazing. I always loved DJ too , he is quite a character!!

[@ericcrapton2623]

10 DOLLARS WAS A LOT BACK THEN

[@gracieg7601]

Elvis had such a ear for music it was really something. One of the sweets said even when Elvis had his back to them he knew Whst had messed up. He’d tell them. Lol but they loved Elvis. He loved talking to them to make sure they were ok! One of the girls got real sick in Las Vegas one week end. The girls told him she was sick. He made sure she got to a hospital. He went to see her. He told the doctor now these girls are my girls. Money is no problem. The doctor told Elvis it’s not money and shes got pneumonia so she will get well. So he told the other girls what do you all want? You want to stay with her or play the show? They said they knew she wanted them to sing. So they flew the sick girls daughter to Vegas to stay with her. They said he was so good to them. Made sure they had what they needed. He checked on them all the time. The sweets loved Elvis.

[@chester777ful]

What a nice guy great conversation

[@kz.m4251]

This was excellent! Thanks for the upload.

[@ehrldawg]

Great interview !!

[@natserog]

good guy.! thanks for sharing!

[@therocknut]

Great and truthful interview.

[@holmes1978]

Legend !!!

[@UtopiaBlue68]

That was Brilliant :D Thank you for sharing such a wonderful interview. DJ seem's like a class A+ kind of a guy no wonder Elvis kept him around. What an extraordinary once in a lifetime opportunity for the band members who care's much about the money when you had the chance to experience life on the road with Elvis ... "WOW"

[@terrystaires4739]

Wow this is a gold mine! Enjoyed every second of it. What a truly down to earth man! 7/27/2022

[@PDHulme17]

Great drummer D.J. and great video thanx for uploading ! *********Pd

[@jenniferswieboda5696]

Good interview

[@TybeeTyme]

Really enjoyed the Interview!!

[@loucazin543]

Absolutely lovely interview thank you for this ❤️