D. J. Fontana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids D. J. Fontana
Fontana in 2012
Background information
Birth name	Dominic Joseph Fontana
Born	(1931-03-15)March 15, 1931 Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	June 13, 2018(2018-06-13) (aged 87) Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
Genres	Rock and roll, rockabilly, rhythm and blues, country
Occupation(s)	Drummer
Years active	Early 1950s – 2018
Labels	Sun, RCA Victor
Associated acts	The Blue Moon Boys, Elvis Presley

Dominic Joseph Fontana (born March 15, 1931 – died June 13, 2018) was an American musician. He was best known as the amazing drummer for the legendary singer Elvis Presley. D.J. Fontana played drums for Elvis for 14 years, starting in 1955. He played on more than 460 songs recorded by Elvis for RCA Records.

Becoming a Music Star

Early Days as a Drummer

After serving in the U.S. Army in Korea, D.J. Fontana got a job. He became the main drummer for a popular radio show called the Louisiana Hayride. This show was broadcast live every Saturday night. It was a big deal for country music and rock and roll.

Joining Elvis Presley's Band

Soon, D.J. joined a new band that needed a drummer. This band was put together by Sam Phillips, a famous record producer. The group included Scotty Moore on lead guitar, Bill Black on bass, and Elvis Presley on rhythm guitar. They called themselves The Blue Moon Boys. This band became super famous, playing and recording most of Elvis Presley's biggest hits in the 1950s.

Playing on Hit Songs

The Blue Moon Boys, sometimes with a piano player and backup singers like the Jordanaires, played on many of Elvis's classic songs. These included "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Jailhouse Rock". The band traveled a lot, performing all over the country. In 1956 and 1957, they appeared on many TV shows, including The Ed Sullivan Show. The band officially broke up in 1958. Sadly, Bill Black never played with D.J. or Elvis again and passed away in 1965.

Continuing with Elvis

Even after the band broke up, D.J. Fontana and Elvis still played and recorded music together often in the 1960s. Sometimes, Scotty Moore would join them too. In 1968, D.J. played drums for Elvis's famous NBC television special. This show is often called Elvis' 'Comeback' Special. D.J. Fontana played with Elvis for a total of 14 years.

What Others Said About D.J.

Another famous drummer, Stan Lynch, once said about D.J. Fontana: "D.J. was amazing! He played with perfect timing, power, and a great swing. He knew when to keep it simple, which is the best compliment you can give a drummer. D.J. rocked with the greatest singer and the greatest songs ever. He did it year after year, on classic record after classic record. D.J. was truly the real deal."

Other Musical Projects

D.J. Fontana and Scotty Moore also played music together without Elvis. In 2001, they even recorded a version of "That's All Right (Mama)" with the legendary Paul McCartney.

Beyond the Drums

Sharing His Story

In 1983, D.J. Fontana wrote a book filled with pictures. It was called D.J. Fontana Remembers Elvis. The book shared stories and photos from his many years playing with Elvis. Later, in 2007, D.J. started his own weekly audio show called Life and Times phonecasting.

Honors and Tributes

Hall of Fame Inductions

D.J. Fontana received many important awards for his music. On January 14, 2009, he was welcomed into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Then, on April 4, 2009, he was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored in the "sidemen" category, which celebrates musicians who play with famous artists.

Inspired by D.J.

An English musician named Glyn Geoffrey Ellis was so inspired by D.J. Fontana that he changed his stage name to Wayne Fontana.

Portrayals in Film

D.J. Fontana's life was shown in movies and TV shows. He was played by Ed Begley, Jr. in the 1979 movie Elvis. Later, Eric William Pierson played him in the 2005 CBS miniseries, also called Elvis.

His Final Years

D.J. Fontana passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 13, 2018. He was 87 years old and was living in Nashville at the time.

Songs D.J. Played On

D.J. Fontana played drums on many of Elvis Presley's most famous songs. Here are some of them:

See also

In Spanish: D. J. Fontana para niños