By Harvey Kubernik Copyright 2021
I was sad to learn of the physical passing of Elvis Presley's TCB band drummer Ron Tutt at age 83 who also played on live dates and recordings with Neal Diamond, Jerry Garcia and Elvis Costello
Tutt joined Presley's TCB (Takin' Care of Business) band for Presley's 1969 Las Vegas debut at the International Hotel and remained with Presley until Elvis' untimely death.
Decades ago I interviewed the legendary drummer/percussionist Hal Blaine. He recalled one of his encounters with Elvis about the coveted tour drum seat.
Blaine had already held the slot behind Presley on “Can’t Help Falling In Love With You,” “Return to Sender,” and “Bossa Nova Baby.”
“Before these Elvis dates I was on recordings by Nancy and Frank Sinatra,” Hal reminisced in 2008. “I was doing a job in the studio. We used to say: TTMAR. Take the money and run. Nobody knew how long it would last. Elvis went to Las Vegas and came backstage when I was there with Nancy Sinatra at Caesar’s Palace. ‘Hey Hal. You gonna come and work across the street [the International Hotel] with me?’ He expected me to join him for his debut and be part of that band but it was impossible. I had two much session work.”
Presley had been previously aware of guitarist James Burton who was in the TCB band. Elvis was a fan of the "Shindig!" television series taped at ABC-TV in Los Angeles, when Burton was a member of the Shindogs along with Delaney Bramlett and Leon Russell.
On occasion, Elvis attended "Shindig!" wrap parties at the Red Velvet Club on Sunset Blvd. I seem to remember he watched "Shindig!" episodes along with Jackie DeShannon at his Bel-Air home. Col. Parker forbid Elvis from being a guest on "Shindig!" during 1965-1966 but had other 1968 TV plans for his client.
Earlier this century I interviewed Jerry Schilling, Presley’s best friend/confident and author. I asked him about how Ron Tutt got the gig.
“After The ‘68 Elvis Presley Comeback Special television broadcast, Elvis was a happy person like he should have been," Shilling explained to me in a 2008 interview. "He decided to put a band together and do a month at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. I became involved in what was happening around him, even though I wasn’t working for him. Colonel Parker is never there for rehearsals or recordings.
“I watched a guy put a rock ‘n’ roll band together. That’s what he does. He started by picking James Burton. That’s where Elvis was a genius. That’s where he was the most underrated producer in musical history. Whether it be in the studio or putting the band together. Whether it was ‘I hear voices here,’ ‘play this line here.’ The guy was a great producer.
“The ’68 special inspired him but he was doing what he had not been able to do for years. He was doing his thing and he was doing it being able to choose the people he was able to do it with. Being able to choose what songs and not being told what has to be in the soundtrack. What he had to wear. He was out of prison, man.
“I remember being at Elvis’ house with a list that Joe [Esposito], maybe Charlie Hodge a little bit, ‘here’s some of the musicians that people are suggesting.’ What do you think of this, this and this? Elvis pretty much picked and chose. He knew who James Burton was. He knew who Ronnie (Tutt) was.
“Ronnie was the guy who did what D.J. [Fontana] had come in and done. He could accentuate Elvis’ moves, but more importantly, when there were bigger name drummers in the audition, like Hal Blaine.
“I remember what Elvis told me and Joe. He would come over and we both thought he was gonna go for Hal Blaine. It was the obvious choice. And he said, ‘watch this guy (Ronnie).’ Elvis came over and he said, ‘I need one guy on stage that has my temperament. Ronnie Tutt.’ That’s why Ronnie Tutt has the job."
