John Wilkinson, rhythm guitarist for Elvis Presley and original TCB Band member, visited Graceland on Thursday, April 14. Wearing the TCB gold necklace given to him by Elvis, John shared wonderful memories of his friendship with the King of Rock 'n' Roll. John first met Elvis when he was only ten years old and snuck backstage at a concert Elvis was featured in. Years later, the two re-united when Elvis handpicked John to be a part of his TCB Band.
John will be a special guest at the 2011 Elvis Week celebration during the Conversations on Elvis event on Sunday, August 14
John, who never missed one show with Elvis, was a guest at Graceland countless times when Elvis was still alive. Returning to Graceland was a very emotional moment for John. ElvisMatters was there with him. In fact, they picked up John and his wife Terry at their home in Springfield, MO and drove them to Memphis where they are enjoying a fantastic week: just friends among friends.
The Graceland staff made them feel so very welcome, they really treated John and Terry like royalty. John and Terry were very impressed, and congratulated the Staff on the excellent job they do.
During the visit, all the memories John had of his time with Elvis at the mansion came back. He told ElvisMatters stories that have never been published, or that not one Graceland guide knows about. There was the time when the bus driver who took the band up to the house after the 1974 Concert at the Mid-South Coliseum crashed the Music Gates for instance, and did you know that JD Sumner had a special hiding place for his whiskey during the 'Jungle Room Sessions'? Elvis didn't like alcohol in the house, but JD was smarter: it's hilarious to hear where he hid the bottle of Jack Daniels... All we'll say now is: somewhere in the pool room downstairs. You'll read the rest and all those great inside stories and see the pictures - exclusively! - in the upcoming ElvisMatters June Magazine!