Hayride Voice Frank Page Funeral set for today

KLTV.com-Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville, Texas | ETX News

Funeral arrangements have been set for legendary Shreveport radio broadcaster Frank Page, who died on Wednesday after battling complications with pneumonia. Visitation will be held on Monday, January 14, from 4 – 7 p.m. at Rose Neath Funeral Home at 330 Marshall Street in Shreveport. The funeral will be held on Tuesday, January 15 at the same location. Interment will be at Forest Park Cemetery. Page, who worked in radio for 50 years, is best known was the man who introduced Elvis Presley on the Louisiana Hayride back on October 16, 1954. Page was inducted into the Wall of Fame in Shreveport in 2009. He also was a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Broadcasters Hall of Fame, according to members of his family. Page was 87.

Guitarist John Wilkinson passes away

John Richard Wilkinson, 67, a native of Springfield who became Elvis Presley’s rhythm guitar player years after meeting the King at concert at the Shrine Mosque, has died.

Wilkinson died after a long battle with cancer, surrounded by family and friends in Springfield.

According to his obituary, Wilkinson at the age of 10 sneaked into Elvis’dressing room before a show and told Elvis, “you can’t play guitar worth a damn.” Elvis was amused and impressed and predicted they would meet again.

After playing in a high school band called “The Coachmen,” Wilkinson went on to play with such groups as The Kingston Trio, The Goodtime Singers, Greenwood County Singers, and The New Christy Minstrels.

He joined Elvis’ band at Presley’s invitation in 1969, according to the obit. Wilkinson played played more than 1,200 shows as Elvis’ rhythm guitar player, right up until Presley’s death in 1977.

After that he played less music, and made a living in retail and airline services management. A serious stroke in 1989 left him unable to play the guitar. Nevertheless, for several years after that, he traveled the U.S. and Europe, appearing with the old TCB band and others, singing and paying tribute to Elvis.

He is survived by his wife, Terry. Cremation and a private graveside service will be conducted by Gorman-Scharpf. Contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, or the charity of donor’s choice.

Source – News Leader