Chapter 21 - The Jordanaires - Orpheum Theater, Galesburg, IL April 2, 2008

As of right now, this is the highlight of my musical career.

When Elvis was a rising young star, he got paired up with a vocal group
The Jordanaires. Here is a clip from their website http://www.jordanaires.net



One Sunday afternoon, in 1955, the Jordanaires played a show in Memphis with Eddy Arnold. They had just completed the "Eddy Arnold Show" for TV. When the show was over a young man, quiet and courteous with plenty of combed-back hair, came backstage to meet them. He was Elvis Presley, a young, practically unheard of singer, just getting his start in the area. There were a few polite exchanges, then Elvis said, "If I ever get a recording contract with a major company, I want you guys to back me up." He was on "Sun" at that time. Thinking back to that night, The Jordanaires' first tenor, Gordon Stoker, remembers wishing Elvis well, "But we never expected to hear from him again," he said. "People were always coming up and saying that. We're still told that."
Sure enough!! Elvis recorded his first session with RCA on January 10, 1956, with Scotty, Bill, and, D. J. That day, "I Got A Woman", "Heartbreak Hotel", and, "Money Honey" were recorded. On January 11, 1956, Gordon Stoker was called by Chet Atkins to do a session with a "new-probably-wouldn't-be-around-long kid, named Elvis Presley"---oily hair, pink shirt, black trousers. RCA had, also, just signed "The Speer Family". Chet asked Gordon to sing with Ben and Brock Speer so he could use them. On that day, "I'm Counting On You" and "I Was The One" made history by being the first recording session that Elvis did with vocal background. By April 1956, "Heartbreak Hotel" was No. 1 on the charts. After having done several more recording sessions in New York with Scotty, Bill and D. J., Elvis flew to Nashville on April 14, 1956, to record "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You". Gordon was called, again, to sing a vocal trio with Ben and Brock. After the session, Elvis took Gordon aside and told him (not knowing, at the time, why all the Jordanaires were not there) that he wanted "the" Jordanaires on all his future recording sessions. This time, Stoker saw to it that it was known - and - true to his word - Elvis used the Jordanaires on nearly every one of his recording sessions for the next 14 years. At a time when no backing musicians, producers, or engineers received a name recognition on any records, Elvis insisted that he have the "Jordanaires" on the "labels" of his records.

These guys were with Elvis during his rise to fame. And on April 2, 2008, in The Orpheum Theater in Galesburg, IL, I got to play a show with them.

Here is our Elvis - Al Hull, looking out at the crowd.





We had our normal show opening, and played for about 30 to 45 minutes. Then, we left the stage as Dan O'Brien (local Radio Talent and Sirius Radio Host) introduced The Jordanaires. They had sang four or five songs over the top of some backing tracks they had.




Then we came back out and jammed with them. We did "Teddy Bear", "Don't Be Cruel", "Suspicious Minds", "A Hunk of Burnin' Love" and many other hits.



These guys were on Elvis' original recordings. They played live shows with the King. And here I was, a white boy from Illinois, jamming with them. They joked with Al and told stories. It was a really fun and powerful evening.










Here are some shots I took before the show.



This is the Orpheum Theater, in Downtown Galesburg, IL



Here is the fancy ballroom. What a great place to put on a show!!








Bruce is reflecting on Life...




Sound Check





Dad and Elvis