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John Wilkinson Dead: Rhythm Guitarist
for Elvis Presley Dies Aged 67
Rhythm guitar player John Wilkinson, who performed with Elvis Presley
more than a thousand times, has died at his home in southwest Missouri.
John Wilkinson passed away January 11, Friday at his
home in Springfield after a fight with cancer, according
to a family spokesman. Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley offered their "deepest
sympathy" to his family, saying in a statement that
"John and the beautiful music he made with Elvis
will live forever in our hearts."
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John Wilkinson on Stage with Elvis
John Wilkinson was Elvis Presley's rhythm guitarist
from July 1969 until June 26th 1977 |
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John
Wilkinson
was
born
in
Washington
DC in
1945.
He was
raised
in
Springfield
Missouri.
John's
father
was a
Professor
of
Psychology
and
his
mother,
a home
maker.
He had
a good
and
happy
childhood
and
wonderful
parents.
Music
was
the
main
focal
point
in the
home
and
never
a day
would
go by
without
it.
When
John
first
heard
and
watched
Elvis
as a
young
boy,
it was
at the
time
Elvis
was in
the
Louisiana
Hayride.
He
loved
his
music
which
was
totally
different
to
what
they
were
used
to in
Springfield.
John's
parents'
reaction
to
hearing
Elvis
was
one
thing,
but
seeing
him
was
another.
They
were
conservative
people
and
not
excited
with
the
image
of
their
son's
idol,
however
this
did
not
deter
him
from
buying
Elvis'
records
and
eventually
his
parents
accepted
John's
new
tastes.
When
John
first
saw
Elvis
on TV,
he did
not
like
the
way he
played
and
treated
his
Martin
D18
guitar
and
swore
that
one
day he
would
tell
him.
John
started
playing
the
guitar
himself
at the
age of
five
and by
the
age of
six,
he was
also
playing
the
banjo.
Elvis
came
to
John's
hometown
and
was
second
bill
to
Hank
Snow.
They
were
appearing
at The
Shrine
Mosque,
about
the
only
place
in
Springfield
to
hold
any
shows.
John
found
out
when
the
sound
checks
were
taking
place
and
decided
to
make
his
way
there
to try
and
get to
see
and to
speak
to
Elvis.
He
went
in
search
of the
dressing
room
and
eventually
found
him.
After
knocking
first
before
entering,
he
extended
his
hand
to
Elvis
introducing
himself.
Elvis
being
the
polite
guy he
was,
invited
him to
sit
down
and
asked
him
what
he was
doing
there.
John
replied,
'Elvis,
you
can't
play
guitar
worth
a
damn'.
Elvis
laughed
and
challenged
John
to
play
guitar
for
him.
Against
the
wall
was an
old
Gibson
J45.
He
played
and
sang
for
Elvis
and he
was
impressed
with
this
kid.
However,
the
conversation
was
soon
interrupted
when
two
burly
guys
entered
the
room
and
wanted
to
know
what
John
was
doing
there.
Elvis
told
them
that
John
was
his
friend
and he
had
just
given
him a
guitar
lesson.
Before
leaving
Elvis
told
John
that
one
day
they
would
meet
again.
And
the
rest
is
history.......
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