DJ Fontana Talks Elvis: Last Train To Westbury

The Ultimate Elvis Tribute comes to the NYCB Theatre at Westbury on August 21st, at 8pm.  The bill is headed by award winning Elvis tribute artists Shawn Klush, and Cody Ray Slaughter, the Sweet Inspirations, and features Elvis’ original drummer DJ Fontana.  The show has been a sensation wherever it has played, and it spans Elvis’ career from his earliest days to his residences in Las Vegas.  It’s now or never more than ever, and fans would be wise to seize the opportunity to see those who actually held court with the King. DJ slaps the skins as well as in the glory days, and seeing this legend in person can’t be beat.  DJ Fontana talked about the show, and playing with the King since 1954 with L4LM writer Bob Wilson.  

L4LM: When did you first take up the drums, an which drummers did you admire?

DJ Fontana: I started playing drums when I was about 15 years old, when I was still in high school.  I was attracted to playing from listening to Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.

L4LM: Did you get to meet either one of them after you became famous? 

DJ Fontana: After Elvis made it so big, I was able to meet Buddy Rich.  We were playing a show on the U.S.S. Arizona, and Buddy was there.  That was certainly a lot of fun.

L4LM: As you grew up, what types of music were you listening to?  

DJ Fontana: I listened to radio station KWKH, and the Louisiana Hayride. These shows were recorded at the time, but I’m not sure who would have them now.  They would be nice to hear again.  They should release them for the people to hear if they already haven’t somewhere.

L4LM: What records were in your collection? 

DJ Fontana: Believe it or not, I never bought a record.  When I wanted to listen to music, I would just turn on the radio. 

L4LM: After you first began to play the drums, what happened between that time and joining up with Elvis Presley at the Louisiana Hayride?  

DJ Fontana: Not that much really was going on until Elvis came along from my end.  Elvis came into town with the Hayride with a record that was hot in 3 or 4 states.  Having a hit that size was a really big deal at that point in time.  I would play at the Hayride, but they usually had me playing behind a curtain as the house drummer.

L4LM: Who were some of the other artists that you jammed with? 

DJ Fontana: Two of the first that I ever played with were Johnny Cash and George Jones.  These artists would come in for a day, and usually be gone a day later.  They would move along to play in the next town where they had a show scheduled.  I also went on tour with Johnny Horton, who had a big hit some people might remember called Lost in Alaska.

L4LM: Did they keep you behind the curtain the whole time that you were performing at the Hayride? 

DJ Fontana: No, after a while they let me out. They could only keep me back there for so long. Eventually they let the people see me (laughs).   

L4LM: In the studio with Elvis, how many takes of a song would you do on average? If anyone knows it would be you, as you played on about 460 of his tracks for RCA.

DJ Fontana: Elvis only wanted to do a few takes, because it was important to him to keep the sound as fresh as possible.  Most songs would be completed in three or four takes.  Elvis would rather risk a little ‘imperfection’ in the playing, rather than allow the music to get stale. 

L4LM: How is recording music different today from then, and do you like much of today’s music?

DJ Fontana: Well, today everything in the studio and just about everywhere else is about computers.  They can take an eternity to get one track recorded it seems.  Not too much of what they are doing today means much to me. 

L4LM: When you played shows with Elvis early on, could you hear much of what you were playing? 

 DJ Fontana: We never could hear much of anything, the way the crowds were carrying on and screaming.  Elvis always stayed right in front of us, so we could follow him by his movements.  When the crowds were wild, I just would make sure I didn’t lose sight of him.  

L4LM: Do any fans from those days stand out in your memories?   

Well, there was one lady from Kansas City that I won’t ever forget.  She made it up to the stage about five times, which is no easy feat. Security kept putting her back in the audience. They finally had to remove her from the venue, and I was still expecting her to return. 

L4LM: When you played on the Ed Sullivan Show, you nearly divided the world from before and after that aired. What stands out about that as you look back?

DJ Fontana: That was played live, and aired simultaneously.  Any mistakes we made, and anything that happened couldn’t be changed.  So we just did the best that we could, and it went pretty well.

L4LM: A short while back, you went to see the Rolling Stones.  How were they? 

DJ Fontana: They came down to Nashville, and I caught the show.  I spent some time with Ronnie Wood, and Charlie Watts.  We have jammed together before.  

L4LM: You also jammed with Sir Paul McCartney, what was that like?  Were there any out-takes from the sessions?

DJ Fontana: I was with Scotty (Moore) and we played That’s Alright, Mama. I wish there were more songs, but they only needed the one song for the project.  

L4LM: Were you there in Hollywood when Elvis met the Beatles?

DJ Fontana: No, I wasn’t up at the house for that one.  I did jam with George (Harrison) years later at his house, but none of it was recorded.  The handlers were nervous about anything like that leaking out to the public.  And in 1970, I played on the entire record of Ringo Starr’s ‘Beacoups of Blues’. Pete Drake brought me into that project, which was really special.  Pete played on Nashville Skyline, and the other two records that Bob Dylan recorded in Nashville. 

L4LM: When Elvis did the TV Special in 1968 for NBC, how were you brought in?  

DJ Fontana: That was all decided on by Elvis, and he had his people call us up.  Management tried to choose the songs, to make more publishing money.  Elvis held firm, and that turned out really well.

L4LM: You were in Jailhouse Rock, and a few other films with Elvis (Loving You, and G.I. Blues).  Do you still watch the films?  It must be fun to see yourself on the big screen.

DJ Fontana: They direct you down to every blink of your eye, so acting gets old fast.  You never get used to seeing yourself up there.  If company wants to see some of a film, I might put a few minutes on for them.  I never watch the whole films anymore.  Elvis could do it all, sing, act. He was the real thing.

L4LM: Do any of the film soundtracks stand out in your mind? 

DJ Fontana: I thought that Loving You had a very nice soundtrack, with some fine songs.  

L4LM: Elvis was called The King for a reason, but did anyone else that you performed with really leave an impression?

DJ Fontana: Well, Gene Vincent was really something.  I played with him for thirty days, and he stood out to me. 

L4LM: The show at NYCB Theatre at Westbury will be on August 21st at 8PM.  What can the fans look for this time around?

DJ Fontana: Shawn Klush and Cody Ray Slaughter are two of the best vocalists out there, and the Sweet Inspirations will be on hand.  We’ll cover songs from just about all of Elvis’ career.  There will be something for everyone.  After the show, the fans are welcome to come and say hello to all of us in the lobby.

 Words by: Bob Wilson      Photos: By Wayne Herrschaft  

Tickets for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute on August 21st are available at: 

http://venue.thetheatreatwestbury.com/VenueInfo

For the DJ Fontana Website, go to: 

http://www.djfontana.com/