MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Max Weinberg of The E Street Band says Elvis Presley drummer D.J. Fontana was the reason he became a drummer. Weinberg says he was 5 when he saw Fontana backing Presley on "Hound Dog" on TV and it just swept him away. Fontana died Wednesday night in Nashville at the age of 87. Fontana was the last surviving member of Presley's original backup group. Duane Eddy tweets, "The band is back together now. Rest In Peace, DJ Fontana." Priscilla Presley calls Fontana "a tremendously talented musician and a wonderful man." Fontana's widow, Karen Fontana, says her husband "treated everybody like everybody was his friend."
Original Post