Ronnie Tutt, a drummer who spent years playing alongside Elvis Presley, has died aged 83.
In a Facebook post, Terie Tutt wrote that her father died at home surrounded by his family.
“It’s with deep sadness that my family and I share the loss of our beloved dad,” Ms Tutt wrote. “The Legendary Drummer, Ronnie Tutt, ‘has left the building’.”
Elvis Presley Enterprises, which runs Graceland, recalled how Tutt drummed for Elvis with the TCB Band from 1969 until 1977.
Tutt join the band put together by James Burton for Elvis’ 1969 Las Vegas opening and staying with the star until his death in 1977.
“In addition to being a legendary drummer, he was a good friend to many of us here at Graceland,” the group said in a statement.
“We enjoyed each time he joined us here to celebrate Elvis Week, Elvis’ Birthday and many other special occasions.
“Ronnie was an amazing ambassador to Elvis’ legacy – sharing his memories of working with Elvis with fans – as well as bringing Elvis’ music to arenas around the globe through later Elvis In Concert shows and performances.”
In 2018, Tutt recalled the high level of preparation it took to play with Elvis.
“It was spectacular,” Tutt said. “He kept us on our toes because he would just turn around and say, ‘Give me an E chord’ or ‘Give me a B flat’ or whatever, and he’d just start singing. He sang hundreds of songs and we had to know them.”
Beyond Elvis, Tutt played with some of the biggest names in music, touring with Neil Diamond’s band and recording and playing with Johnny Cash, Stevie Nicks, Glen Campbell, Kenny Rogers, Elvis Costello, Michael McDonald and more.
“It’s been my privilege to share the stage with Ronnie for more than 40 years,” Diamond tweeted on Sunday. “He was truly one of the all-time greats in Rock and Roll. God bless you, Ronnie. Give my regards to Elvis. We love you, Ronnie.”
The legendary Ron Tutt has passed away. It’s been my privilege to share the stage with Ronnie for more than 40 years. He was truly one of the all-time greats in Rock and Roll. God bless you, Ronnie. Give my regards to Elvis. We love you, Ronnie. pic.twitter.com/lFM8klsh0R
— Neil Diamond (@NeilDiamond) October 17, 2021
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In Tutt’s view, it was about understanding that “you’re doing something that is almost more important than you are — and that is, you are contributing to people’s having a good time, being happy,” he said in the 2018 interview.
“I think it’s important to realise that for a very short period of time in a person’s life, whether it be a day or a two-hour concert or whatever it is, the music that you’ve played and contributed to and been involved with means a lot more to somebody than you can get an inkling of,” he said in The Sessions interview. “I think that’s what keeps me going.”
