Post by Rob Durkee on Mar 27, 2013 23:37:34 GMT -5
Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, who were best known for providing backup vocals for hits by Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson, died Wednesday (March 27, 2013) at his Brentwood, Tennessee, home after a lengthy illness. According to his son, Alan, and the Los Angeles Time, Gordon Stoker was 88.
The Jordanaires burst onto the pop music when they accompanied Elvis during his 1956 performances on TV shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen and the Dorsey Brothers (Tommy and Jimmy). The group never upstaged Elvis, instead providing much-needed background vocals. Elvis discovered the group in 1955 when it sang "Peace In The Valley" on the TV show "Eddy Arnold Time." According to Wikipedia, Elvis met the group backstage after the show and told them, "If I ever get a major recording contract, I want you guys to back me up." Ironically, the Joerdanaires would back Elvis both in the studio and on Elvis' third Ed Sullivan TV show appearance in early 1957 with the same song that helped get them discovered, "Peace In The Valley."
Here's a partial list of other Elvis songs where the Jordonaires provided backing vocals: "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Don't," "It's Now Or Never, " Are You Lonesome Tonight" and this song, the flip side of Elvis' breakthrough #1 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel"...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIwShwBTJI4
The Jordanaires also sang backup for both of Rick Nelson's #1's -- "Poor Little Fool" and "Travelin' Man" plus "It's Late" and "Lonesome Town." The group also backed Patsy Cline on her major hits--"Crazy," "I Fall To Pieces" and "Sweet Dreams" along with "Four Walls" (Jim Reeves) and "Lucille" (Kenny Rogers). They also provided background vocals with Sissy Spacek on the 1980 movie about Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter."
Gordon Stoker was born August 3, 1924 in Gleason, Tennessee. He was playing the piano professionally bv the age of 15. He joined the Jordanaires in 1950, two years after they were formed in Missouri. The group appeared with Elvis in movies like "G.I. Blues," "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and Elvis' favorite movie, "King Creole." The group bowed out of the spotlight with Elvis when the King Of Rock And Roll began doing two concerts a day in Las Vegas in the late 60's. Although the Jordanaires never had a single or album make the charts, they nevertheless recorded many gospel albums. They were elected ot the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2001.
John Rumle, the senior historian a the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum in Nashville, said Stoker "could play by ear. Anything he could hear on the radio, he could play it."
The Jordanaires burst onto the pop music when they accompanied Elvis during his 1956 performances on TV shows hosted by Ed Sullivan, Steve Allen and the Dorsey Brothers (Tommy and Jimmy). The group never upstaged Elvis, instead providing much-needed background vocals. Elvis discovered the group in 1955 when it sang "Peace In The Valley" on the TV show "Eddy Arnold Time." According to Wikipedia, Elvis met the group backstage after the show and told them, "If I ever get a major recording contract, I want you guys to back me up." Ironically, the Joerdanaires would back Elvis both in the studio and on Elvis' third Ed Sullivan TV show appearance in early 1957 with the same song that helped get them discovered, "Peace In The Valley."
Here's a partial list of other Elvis songs where the Jordonaires provided backing vocals: "Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You," "Don't," "It's Now Or Never, " Are You Lonesome Tonight" and this song, the flip side of Elvis' breakthrough #1 hit, "Heartbreak Hotel"...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIwShwBTJI4
The Jordanaires also sang backup for both of Rick Nelson's #1's -- "Poor Little Fool" and "Travelin' Man" plus "It's Late" and "Lonesome Town." The group also backed Patsy Cline on her major hits--"Crazy," "I Fall To Pieces" and "Sweet Dreams" along with "Four Walls" (Jim Reeves) and "Lucille" (Kenny Rogers). They also provided background vocals with Sissy Spacek on the 1980 movie about Loretta Lynn, "Coal Miner's Daughter."
Gordon Stoker was born August 3, 1924 in Gleason, Tennessee. He was playing the piano professionally bv the age of 15. He joined the Jordanaires in 1950, two years after they were formed in Missouri. The group appeared with Elvis in movies like "G.I. Blues," "Girls! Girls! Girls!" and Elvis' favorite movie, "King Creole." The group bowed out of the spotlight with Elvis when the King Of Rock And Roll began doing two concerts a day in Las Vegas in the late 60's. Although the Jordanaires never had a single or album make the charts, they nevertheless recorded many gospel albums. They were elected ot the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2001.
John Rumle, the senior historian a the Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum in Nashville, said Stoker "could play by ear. Anything he could hear on the radio, he could play it."
