Rolling Stone Mag remembers John Wilkinson

John Wilkinson, a guitar player who accompanied Elvis Presley for more than a thousand shows as a member of the TCB Band, died on Friday at the age of 67 after a long battle with cancer, the Associated Press reports.

Wilkinson grew up in Springfield, Missouri, watching Presley perform on television. In 1955, when he was ten years old, Wilkinson snuck into the star’s dressing room before a concert at Springfield’s Shrine Mosque and berated the King for his musicianship. “You can’t play guitar worth a damn,” the boy said.

Wilkinson went on to become an accomplished guitarist, playing in folk groups such as the Kingston Trio and the New Christy Minstrels. Some 13 years after that first meeting in the dressing room, Presley asked Wilkinson to join his backup group, the TCB Band, after seeing the 23-year-old play on television. Over the next nine years, Wilkinson played rhythm guitar for Presley in 1,200 shows, remaining in the TBC Band until the singer’s death in 1977.

In a statement expressing their sympathy to Wilkinson’s family, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley said that “John and the beautiful music he made with Elvis will live forever in our hearts.”

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