Drummer D.J. Fontana
The drummer who played on over 460 RCA recordings with Elvis Presley and performed on the 1968 Comeback Special.
Dominic Joseph Fontana (March 15, 1931 – June 13, 2018) was an American musician best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley for 13 years. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Presley, which marked the beginning of a 13-year relationship. He played on over 460 RCA recordings with Elvis. Fontana (nicknamed "D.J.") was employed by the Louisiana Hayride to be an in-house drummer on its Saturday night radio broadcast from 1955 until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957. Fontana joined a band (originally assembled by Sam Phillips) that was without a drummer and included Scotty Moore (lead guitar), Bill Black (bass), and Elvis Presley (rhythm guitar). They called themselves the Blue Moon Boys.
- Role
- Drummer
- Affiliation
- Elvis Presley's Band (The Blue Moon Boys)
- First Appears
- 1955
- Status
- Deceased
- Instrument
- Drums
- Key Contribution
- Played on over 460 RCA recordings with Elvis
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Fontana, Moore, and Elvis worked together on occasional sessions throughout the 1960s, even after the Blue Moon Boys officially broke up in 1958. In 1968, Fontana performed on the NBC television special, often referred to as Elvis' Comeback Special. Fontana played with Elvis for 13 years, from 1955 to 1968. Stan Lynch said of Fontana: "Armed with accuracy, power, swing, dynamics, great time and — the biggest compliment of all — simplicity whenever it was best, D.J. rocked the greatest singer and the greatest songs ... ever. He did it year after year, record after classic record. In a world of one trick ponies and lucky 'Rock Stars,' D.J. is the real deal." In 1975, Fontana and Moore reunited to record "E.P. Express" with friend Carl Perkins. In 1997, Fontana and Moore reunited to record the album All the King's Men, featuring guest appearances from the Bill Black Combo, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood of The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Levon Helm and Jim Weider of The Band, Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick, and others.
In Their Own Story
In August 1992, Fontana performed at Ellis Auditorium for a "Good Rockin' Tonight" show alongside Carl Perkins, Moore, the Jordanaires, James Burton, the Sun Rhythm Section, and Ronnie McDowell. They later took this show format on a small tour of England. In 1993, Fontana, Moore, and Carl Perkins performed at a telethon in Jackson, TN. Fontana and Moore also toured Europe with vocalist Bloomer Jenson, organized by the Elvis Presley fan club "It's Elvis Time". In 1994, Fontana, Moore, and Carl Perkins performed at the Jackson telethon again and were joined by McDowell. In April 1999, Fontana and Moore toured the UK. In 2001, Fontana and Moore recorded a version of "That's All Right" with Paul McCartney for the documentary Good Rockin' Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records.
Reader's Guide
The Blue Moon Boys — Scotty Moore (lead guitar), Bill Black (bass), Elvis Presley (rhythm guitar), and D.J. Fontana (drums) — played on several Elvis hits, including "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Jailhouse Rock". The band toured extensively. Throughout 1956 and 1957, the band had several television appearances, which included The Ed Sullivan Show. The band broke up in 1958. Although the band had officially broken up, Fontana, Moore, and Elvis still regularly played and recorded together throughout the 1960s. In 1968, Fontana performed on the NBC television special, often referred to as Elvis' Comeback Special. Fontana played with Elvis for 13 years, from 1955 to 1968.
Did You Know?
- Fontana was nicknamed "D.J." and was employed by the Louisiana Hayride from 1955 until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957.
- He played on over 460 RCA recordings with Elvis Presley.
- Fontana performed on the 1968 NBC television special often referred to as Elvis' Comeback Special.
- English musician Wayne Fontana (born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis) took his stage name from the drummer.
- Fontana died in his sleep on June 13, 2018, in Nashville at the age of 87, suffering from complications of a broken hip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is D.J. Fontana?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was an American musician who served as Elvis Presley’s main drummer for fourteen years. He lived from March 15, 1931, until June 13, 2018, and is remembered as a key figure in rock history.
What was his role in the band?
As a member of The Blue Moon Boys, Fontana provided the drumming foundation for Elvis's recordings and concerts. He joined Scotty Moore and Bill Black to create the signature sound that launched Presley’s career.
How many records did he play on?
Fontana performed on over 460 RCA recordings throughout his time with the King of Rock and Roll. His contributions span from early sessions to later television appearances like the 1968 Comeback Special.
When did he first join Elvis's team?
He was hired in 1955 after working as an in-house drummer for the Louisiana Hayride radio show. This recruitment followed his service in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.
Why is D.J. Fontana important to fans?
His rhythmic style helped define the early rock and roll era alongside Elvis Presley’s vocals. Fans value him for maintaining consistency across hundreds of tracks and major live performances over a decade.
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