Posted on 03/12/2015 10:06:45 AM PDT by lowbridge
Ron Tutt (born March 12, 1938, Dallas, Texas) is a drummer who played concerts and recording sessions for a variety of rock artists from Elvis Presley to the Carpenters.
Tutt auditioned for the TCB Band ("Taking Care of Business"), the Elvis Presley touring and recording band, upon the recommendation of TCB keyboardist Larry Muhoberac. Tutt's drumming incorporated cues from Presley's stage moves during the audition. Presley liked what he heard, and Tutt was thereafter a permanent member of the TCB Band. Tutt participated in Presley concerts and recording sessions until the death of Presley in 1977.
The example of Ron Tutt's best drum work may be the studio recording on March 29, 1972 on Presley's "Always on My Mind" (video recorded in RCA Studio C, Hollywood, CA). Recorded during the period when Presley's marriage to Priscilla Presley was failing, the lyrics and arrangement made for a poignant and dramatic recording. This is an example of uncommon teamwork between a recording artist and his drummer.
Tutt's drumming starts in his routine TCB Band style until Elvis' performance lifts into an emotional and energetic level at the instrumental bridge, whereupon Tutt "throws all the switches" to match Presley's intensity. Presley usually allowed Tutt open discretion in the area of drumming. In the video, Elvis shows he is performing off of Tutt's building, authoritative drumming (and with smiles, nods, and head shakes, Elvis shows his approval). The result is one of the noteworthy recordings in the Presley catalog, and Tutt's finest studio work.
The King’s Tutt?
Ron Tutt also played with Jerry Garcia in The Legion of Mary, one of Jerry’s mid-1970s side-projects while the Grateful Dead weren’t touring.
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