My dad was in the Korean war with DJ. My dad said he was a "regular" guy. They stayed in touch and would meet up at army reunions. My mother got a picture of my dad and DJ at Graceland back in the day when you had camera film developed. My mom made copies, mailed them to DJ and he autographed them for my daughters, all Elvis fans and mailed them back. Pretty cool,I think

Literally, the first rock drummer on tv, ever...,

The original Elvis' "Hound Dog" recording still sounds revolutionary today.

Remember, kids, before there was John, Paul, George and Ringo, there was Bill Black, Scotty Moore, Mr. D.J. Fontana, and their singer.

I like how his triplets aren’t ‘perfect,’ and how his volume and rhythm ‘breathe.’ I also like and respect the way he’s not exerting any force, that it’s all in the wrist. I’d love to be in a room with him jamming on a guitar while kept a beat. It’s no wonder Elvis picked him - I bet Elvis felt like he won the lottery when he met DJ.

RIP D.J. Fontana, you will be missed. An essential part of Elvis’ Greatest Work, who could forget the ‘machine gun’ drums in Hound Dog.

Did not know he died.. Few deserves legendary status, but Fontana lived to tell the stories and played drums on the the most popular records of his time with Elvis. Rest in swing...

I live just out side of Nashville. The last couple of years of DJ's life I would run into him and his wife shopping at the local Walmart (really!) Nobody recognized him except me. I would always go up and speak to him and thank him for all of the great music. He was a nice man and was really friendly to the fans. I had my picture made with him and Scotty Moore when they were inducted into The Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. I cherish that pic.

I would listen to this guy for hours!

Every Rock n Roll Drummer knows who this guy is. He was the inspiration to many of them. DJ Fontana. Officially TVs first Rock n Roll drummer. R.I.P. DJ.

RIP DJ Fontana...now Elvis and his band are together again and rock and roll in heaven

That was so great to see him play that. All these guys who didn’t want to go to Vegas because they didn’t like it, lived a long time after Elvis. Elvis did have health problems but the lifestyle and his great fame was a huge trap for him. God bless all of them now. What a concert heaven has

Very awesome to hear this story. What a great thing to hear Fontana tell this!!

No training, just talent. Elvis must of loved this guy, solid, dependable and made Elvis shine !

Rockabilly to the goddamn bone. Eternal legend.

SO DAMN WONDERFUL Thank you Sir All, Scotty Moore Bill Black and DJ Fontana are legends

Saw D.J. and the original Jordanaires, with Ronnie MeDowell a couple of times. My dad was a friend of Ronnie's and is in the Rockabilly HOF, was asked up on stage to perform with them. I remember he said he was in the company of greatness. DJ is a true legend and this was a great video.

When you really think about the pioneers of rock n roll, these guys came from just regular old towns and regular families. They weren't rich, they weren't "highly educated", and they certainly did not set out to create anything specific or to revolutionize the world. They were just regular guys who liked music and came together putting what they'd learned and liked from the old big band and country/western and rhythm and blues music they grew up on in the 1930s and 40s. They really had no idea they were starting something huge, something revolutionary, something historic. Just a couple of good old boys jamming away on music they felt good playing and liked playing. Just having fun. For all that rock n roll has become over the years, over-dramatic artists and big business and pressure to create the greatest song ever written, with so many artists hooked on drugs and alcohol, it's beginnings were pretty honest, humble and simple, and DJ Fontana was part of it.

What a freaking awesomely cool guy ...may you rest in peace brother .. and be jamming with The King wherever you are now ..

I love the triplet imperfections! it literally gave me goose bumps when he played them! it's just "old school" charm that makes it so special!

Just in case anyone else came here for the "How to Play" portion, described in the title, it doesn't start until the 11:21 mark.

The legends DJ Fontana and Ronnie Tutt creating thunder together in heaven, when you have the next thunderstorm you will think of them thrashing it out.

What a great guy and terrific musician. Thanks DJ and rest in peace.

Thank you Mr. DJ Fontana for backing Elvis and all the awesome music. Like Elvis you are missed. RIP Mr. DJ.

Sorry to hear he passed away a couple of days ago. Remember seeing him play with Elvis and his other band mates in a jam seession at Elvis' house. D.J. drummed on a guitar case using brushes only. Simple and brilliant.

This drummer makes it look easy a bit like the drummer from Stevie Ray Vaughan .They both play simple but what they play is very very sophisticated and intentional . You drummers out there = this is classy drumming .

I had a cousin who met Elvis in the Army way back. He said he was nice and a good soldier. God Bless Elvis.

Great interview!!! Mr. Fontana, May you Rest In Peace!!! ☮️🖖🏽

Ah yes simple straightforward drumming..deceptively simple it's all in the feel. No extra fluff tossed in just keeping that groove going exactly what the tune called for. Timeless tune and timeless drumming. Nice. RIP DJ Fontana.

An open letter to D.J. Fontana--- Dear Mr. D.J. Fontana, As a musician, I would like to say---- Thank you, sir. Prism Blue

I've always loved DJ's interviews, he's so genuine and he really knew Elvis' moves.

Great video! So sad to hear of DJ's passing today! My deepest sympathy to the Fontana family. RIP DJ... you are a great legend in your own right!

What a great guy, showing us and talking about some great times. God bless him.

The drumming made to sound so easy here yet so crazed on the 1956 record. The band is now complete and reformed on the other side. Thanks for the music influence you all left behind for the world. Bill Black, Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, and Elvis Presley.

R.I.P. DJ Fontana. One of the great original rock n roll drummers. 🥁

Elvis Possibly had the greatest band ever. RIP DJ u have given many of us mere mortals plenty of joy and will continue to do so, long after my generation is dead and gone.

This man was the real thing.

What a great band. Those dudes were pros.

DJ kept the beat for many of us for many years - RIP DJ.

I love watching talented people showcase their craft. Another legend lost. RIP Mr. Fontana.

The man in this video created music that was instantly zapped into the consciousness of American culture. Where would pop culture be if not for Elvis' sublime "Hound Dog"

Been playing drums for 35 years and never been able to nail hound dog and get it to groove. After watching this, realised that trying to sync the bass drum with the bass guitar pattern was my mistake, instead of playing it straight. And just playing one hi-hat stroke on the first bar instead of the swing pattern is so simple but makes it groove. Sheer simplicity but utterly perfect. Love DJ Fontana. Check out his playing in the '68 comeback special. He's playing on a guitar case!

RIP DJ Fontana,

What a humble, great guy. Glad I saw this.

I met, knew and recorded my debut single "When you Coming Home" and follow up single "Magic In Your Eyes" on Eagle International Records in Nashville. DJ Fontana on drums of course and The Jordanaires on backup vocals ...What professionals they were and made my part recording with riock history a breeze and so much fun. Making a record with Elvis Presley's drummer and The Jordanaires was like rock heaven... I still pinch myself till this day! RIP DJ Fontana 🙏 thanks for the memories my friend 🎶🎶🎶

RIP to our Rock n Roll Legends.

I’ll tell ya a second hand story about Elvis. A guy i worked with was stationed in Texas in the Army. Drove the captains jeep. Went to town and on the way back came across a GI on foot, gave him a ride into the post. It was Elvis- Bob said he was a regular guy and thanked him for the ride into post.

RIP Sir. What a cool guy. Amazing drummer and man.

Good Interview and that’s his real hair. Not a toupee. He played drums behind Elvis in the early days when he was wild on stage. They were the original rock quartet. Elvis on Vocals and acoustic guitar. Scotty Moore on Electric guitar, Bill Black on Upright Bass and DJ Fontana on drums. They started what became a revolution in music. RIP

You Made History with The King of Rock and Roll! RIP.

One of the true greats, fantastic

You are the legend, Mr.Fontana. R.I.P.

Rest in peace, D.J. It was nice meeting you in 1992. ❤❤

Awesome! Long live Elvis and DJ, 🎶🥁😎DC

Elvis Band & Backing Singers all made the Magnificent Sound With Elvis up front with his unbelievable voice a perfect partnership & Elvis knew that & loved his band as family. Appreciate the music & Memories.

No trash playing here just solid and to the point drumming

REST IN PEACE DJ 🙏 I met him when I was doing Elvis shows all over the Country. We ate Chicken and talked about lots of stuff. You are a GREAT Man DJ. Love ya Musician Brother ❤

Such a wonderful part of rock history! Thanks.

A very big musician in the r & r history! That's all right D.J.

Rest in peace Mr. Fontana, condolences to your family and friends!

Wow this is great something real that we can touch his actual performance ☺️

What a lovely guy... all them southern fellas are gentlemen. ❤❤❤

One of the best... Like Ringo, DJ played the song.

RIP D.J fab drummer! You’ll always be remembered.

He's still got those loose, nifty wrists and hands - from a lifetime of working the kit with The King. What grand memories those would be.

DJ Fontaine you inspire me to play drums thank you very much now I've been doing it 40 some odd years rest in peace my friend

"Till Elvis came on"... he changed rock and roll in many ways

" I don't like bass drum anyhow " LOL ... As simple as it is, this video is amazingly important to understand the history or rock and roll. Directly from the horse's mouth. RIP Mr Fontana.

I am Rolling Stones fan. And Elvis is for me Elvis and the blue moon boys. Epic them.

that demo at the end was fantastic

I grew up listening to Elvis and many others from the 50s. Oh to go back and relive them times would be heavenly.

RIP DJ FONTANA Thank you for the great music

Very cool. RIP Fontana! Cool song to learn!

Rock solid time! All about the groove

Hats off to a great pathfinder for us to follow! Played during a time when simplicity was the goal and "bass drums made him nervous" Wow! Such a ground breaker in percusion! :-)))))

that was sweet! the right feel , the right sound!!! max love and respect DJ , always an inspiration on how to swing , how to drive the tune and get that magic touch on the thing. respect.

End of an Era. RIP DJ Fontana.

Great story teller. Pleasure to meet you in Sydney in the 90's. RIP great man.

I love these stories.

Wow I love this D.J. Fontana and the honesty of his life.

GOD BLESS D.J. FONTANA FOREVER -

Elvis brought the drummer out from behind the curtain...and that’s when Rock and Roll happened.

Wow! An original from whom we all learned.

the kiss principle in full effect. thanks for a lifetime of sounds n songs. RIP Dom.

I saw him in Hagerstown about ten years back. He had some good Elvis stories like the time Elvis gave him a big diamond ring

Yes Sir Mr Fontana one of the Greats. RIP.

Great to hear these old stories about the legends.

Rest in Peace DJ

Less is more. Good drummer. Solid dude!

Legend. I love his personality. Just a humble man who plays an instrument

Talk about being in the right place at the right time..

just amazing....folks your watching one of the " game changes " at work .....beautiful

Back in those days, a lot of major or breaking artist didn’t have a band. Instead they would bring in trained locals to sit in. My uncle was one of those few. He would play guitar for Elvis whenever he played in Tulsa.

Great! Now I understand much better early rock and country drumming and why songs don't sound right with a heavy kick drum in the mix. As a kid playing really old Hand tunes and Elvis tunes in a wedding band, it always seemed weird to play my bass drum much. Being a jazz guy from the beginning it was also a no, no to have too much kick except for accents. Now hearing the original guy talk about it, it makes so much sense. It was not just the mix being low, it was left out or feathered. I learn every day. So cool.

RIP DJ thanks for the music brother ✊

Greatest guy whatever was. And whatever will be.

That ride cymbal sounds great. Also noticed about what he said about bass drums?

Good old fashion no frills drumming, brilliant, full respect.

Remember Kids before The Beatles there was Elvis, Scotty, Bill & D.J. Fontana- the original 4 piece Rock Band

Thank God that they didn't have Pro Tools or they'd have "fixed" everything great away. I played this recording from the time I was four until I left to play for a living.