Date & Speaker

Lectures begin at 7 pm

Topic

Held in the Tuscany Falls Renaissance Theater

February 17, 2012

Johnny Wilkinson

Cost $10.00

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Johnny Wilkinson
Elvis's Rhythm Guitarist

Johnny Wilkinson was with Elvis from the inception of the TCB Band in 1968 until Elvis's death in 1977

John Wilkinson first saw Elvis on TV and did not like the way he played or how he treated his Martin D18 guitar. He swore that one day he would tell him. John had started playing the guitar himself at the age of five and by the age of six, he was also playing the banjo.
When Elvis came to John's hometown, he decided to make his way there to try and get to see and to speak to him. He extended his hand to Elvis, introduced himself and said, "Elvis, you can't play guitar worth a damn." Elvis laughed, challenged John to play for him and was impressed with this nine year old kid.
John received a phone call in 1964 asking him if he and his band would stand in as the opening act for 'Jefferson Airplane'. One of Elvis' body guards, a Native American known as 'Chief,' informed John that someone wanted to see him after the show. Elvis remembered John from their original meeting and he was invited back to the house to sing country and gospel songs and to just hang out. Elvis said that one day he was going to quit movies and return to performing.
Mid 1968, John received another phone call from Elvis himself. He had a bunch of the best musicians ready for his new band and Red and Sonny West were sent to pick John up and take him to Elvis' home. The mics and sound systems were already in place. Elvis was delighted with the sound and sent everyone home, except John.
There was still a position for a rhythm guitarist and Elvis wanted John to fill it. John accepted the offer and the deal was sealed with a hand shake.
John Wilkinson was Elvis Presley's rhythm guitarist from July 1969 until June 26th 1977 and played in over 1,100 shows including Elvis's famous Aloha from Hawaii special.