By: Joerg Kliewe
James Burton – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
It’s a fact, the King is gone, but he’s not forgotten.
For about two years, Elvis Presley, the King of Rock ‘n Roll, spent a tour of duty with the Army in the town of Bad Nauheim, Germany, near Frankfurt (1958-1960).
Today, there are streets and places named after the famous former resident. There’s even an Elvis monument, where fans stop by to drop flowers and light candles nearly every day.
Once a year, the town of Bad Nauheim and the German Elvis Presley Society join forces to present a long weekend full of music, performances and memories of Elvis.
This year was special as some of Presley’s very close friends and band members showed up to pay tribute.
During the festival, fans had the chance to listen to personal memories of the King’s friends during talkshows, meet and greet events and two concerts. Three hundred fans gathered to listen to the stories of the Presley’s band members, while they were answering questions from their audience.
Sure enough, they revealed an insight into the King’s world and experiences they shared with him. Things like, Why are there no recordings of the last Elvis show in Indianapolis, June 26, 1977? The answer – Simply because no one was aware that it could have been the King’s last performance, Glenn Hardin answered.
Another fan was curious to know, if Elvis had changed much during the years of his career. “Elvis was a very generous person”, Ronnie Tutt began his answer. “He once asked me, if I still liked wearing jeans.” “Yes”, I said, “And Elvis let me know that as a kid he had owned a single pair of jeans and had made a resolution that once he would have been making it, he would never wear jeans again!”
What else could the Elvis’s men be doing during his absence but “Taking Care of Business”. This is exactly what the TCB Band does since Elvis has left the planet.
Talking About Elvis at the European Elvis Festival – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
For nearly a decade, famed guitarist, James Burton, was among the King’s court, backing him up on guitar. In almost 60 years of playing music with many reputable artists in American music – like Gram Parsons or Emmylou Harris – James and his distinct playing style has become legendary in and of itself. Today, he still gets together with the same players who backed up Elvis, drummer Ronnie Tutt and pianist, Glenn Hardin. The guys were all there with Elvis during the Aloha from Hawaii show.
Elvis Presley & James Burton (1970) – “Blue Suede Shoes”
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On the occasion of the annual Elvis festival in Bad Nauheim the three performers delivered a fine tribute show with Austrian entertainer and front man, Dennis Jale , along with a contingent of session players.
Another special guest landed in Bad Nauheim to pay tribute. Before us stood Presley’s former road manager, Joe Esposito. During a concert break Joe came on stage and told the audience about that night in Bad Nauheim when Elvis met Priscilla: “I still remember how great the two of them were looking together and how beautiful Priscilla was. Well, it wasn’t meant to last, but you know, Elvis loved women!”
At a meet and greet hour Guitar International magazine was able to ask James Burton how long he thought he and his buddies would be able to continue travelling with the circus. James’ reply was spontaneous and funny, “Well, how about for tonight and the show tomorrow!”
GALLERY
Legendary guitarist, James Burton – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
View from Above the TCB band – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
Dennis Dale – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
The mulit-talented James Burton – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
James Burton with Elvis – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
Glenn Hardin – photo credit: Joerg Kliewe
