#shane keister

[elvis1970s]

In March, 1976, two highly accomplished Nashville musicians joined the Elvis show for the first tour of the year; Larrie Londin on drums and Shane Keister on piano.

Larrie Londin recalled that they all assembled at Graceland prior to the tour for band rehearsals - Elvis dropped in to say hello and then left. Larrie thought he had gone off to get a soft drink, but it soon became apparent that Elvis wasn't coming back. All their gear was then packed up and shipped to the first venue, and he and Shane Keister had to make it up as best they could on stage.

Larrie Londin said this of Elvis' special rapport with his drummers;

"…Elvis hated drum risers. He wanted the drums on the floor right next to him, as close as possible. He wanted to feel the bass drum kicking him in the ass. He roamed around the stage, but at critical moments in the show - tempo changes and endings - he was always right there close - so that I could see him give signals…"

[earpeeler]

Stage Left Podcast – StageLeft Extra: Chris interview on collaboration with StageLeft guests for ‘Last Wilderness’ album Chris from The StageLeft Podcast reveals the process behind collaborating with former StageLeft guests Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney's Wings), Shane Keister (Elvis Presley) & Stuart Masters for the new album 'Last Wilderness' in a guest appearance on Curveballs with Nick Field.

[elvis1970s]

On March 17th, 1976, Elvis hit the road for the first tour of the year, just six days on the road beginning with three consecutive nights in Johnson City, TN, at the 7 000 seat Freedom Hall.

There were some interesting line-up changes; Shane Keister on piano and Larrie Londin on drums. Larrie Londin recalled that they all assembled at Graceland prior to the tour for band rehearsals - Elvis dropped in to say hello and then left. Larrie thought he had gone off to get a soft drink, but it soon became apparent that Elvis wasn't coming back. All their gear was then packed up and shipped to the first venue, and they had to make it up as best they could on stage.

The two new band members were a great combination, and Elvis appeared to particularly like Larrie Londin's individual drumming style, and his friendly attitude. Larrie himself enjoyed the experience, and said this of the communication on stage:

"...Elvis hated drum risers. He wanted the drums on the floor right next to him, as close as possible. He wanted to feel the bass drum kicking him in the ass. He roamed around stage, but at critical moments in the show - tempo changes and endings - he was always right there close - so that I could see him give signals..."

This little clip is Shane Keister's piano solo from Cincinnati on March 21st.

[elvis1970s]

Larrie Londin (1943-1992) was a hardworking Nashville session drummer who worked with rock and country music royalty. He played for Elvis on stage in 1976 and again during Elvis' final days on the road in 1977.

It wasn't easy for new musicians joining the established TCB Band, By 1976, Elvis had pretty much given up rehearsing and liked to work up new material, and musicians, on stage. Sometimes the improvisation worked, other times it didn't.

Larrie joined for the first road tour of 1976 as a temporary replacement for Ronnie Tutt, and having had a brief session with the band at Graceland, he then had to face the terrifying prospect of a sold out arena (Freedom Hall, Johnson City, Tennessee) and no proper rehearsal. Piano player Shane Keister was in the same position.

Larrie and Elvis developed a great rapport, and Elvis' enjoyment of working with Larrie became obvious.

Larrie came back for the final two nights of Elvis' tour in June, 1977, and as a result, played on Elvis' final concert at Market Square Arena, Indianapolis.

[elvis1970s]

Having played to 62 000 in Pontiac, Michigan, on the freezing New Year's Eve of 1975-76, by mid-March '76, Elvis was back on the relentless touring circuit, kicking off the year with two nights at the 7 000 seat Freedom Hall, Johnson City, Tennessee.

There had been some major upheavals in the touring band; piano player and arranger Glen Hardin had quit, replaced initially by Shane Keister.

It appears that James Burton (lead guitar) and Ronnie Tutt (drums) had also resigned, but then decided to stay on with improved contracts, although Ronnie Tutt was unavailable for this tour, with Nashville session legend Larrie Londin (pictured) sitting in.

[elvis1970s]

A little Elvis nerdiness - Some stats from 1976:

A total of 127 shows, including his final seasons in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe.

There were some band line-up changes - drummer Ronnie Tutt was temporarily replaced by Nashville legend Larrie Londin - piano player Glen Hardin departed, replaced initially by Shane Keister then Tony Brown.

He began the year in Pontiac, Michigan (his biggest in-person audience, 62 000, at the Silverdome at New Year), managing to put on a very well-received performance in spite of poor acoustics in the huge arena, and a freezing night.

1976 saw some of his best shows...And one or two of his worst efforts as well. Occasionally poor critical reviews had no effect on box office, and he continued to sell out 10 000 to 20 000 seat arenas, or multiple nights in smaller venues, with tickets generally by mail-order. Vegas and Tahoe remained well over capacity every night.

He actually got his money's worth out of a jumpsuit style, wearing the two versions of the 'Bicentennial' suit a combined total of around 70 times during the year. (The flame design (above centre) was only worn twice - a lot of work and expense for around two hours stage time!)

His performance of Hurt ( a single off the From Elvis Presley Boulevard album) would get such a reaction he often reprised the climactic ending, (risking a hernia, according to one reviewer, who also described the reprise as 'masochism'), and even sang the whole song twice occasionally.

America the Beautiful was added to the setlist for the Bicentennial.

The year ended as it had begun, with a New Year performance, this time in Pittsburgh in a more familiar setting, the 16 500 seat Civic Arena, a show that was widely seen as one of the best shows of his later career.

(Stats thanks to Francesc Lopez - www.elvisconcerts.com)

[elvis1970s]

Piano player Tony Brown joined the TCB Band in 1976, replacing Shane Keister, and stayed until the final show in June 1977, also working on the notable Jungle Room Sessions.

He had previously worked with The Oakridge Boys , JD Sumner and the Stamps, and also Voice, a gospel group that had provided additional backing vocals for Elvis tours, private recitals and recordings for a period during 1974 and '75.

After Elvis, Tony went on to work as a session musician, later joining Emmylou Harris' Hot Band, which had also included TCB Members, Glen D Hardin and James Burton. He has since achieved massive commercial and artistic success as a record producer. He was for several years president of MCA Records, Nashville, and nurtured many talented and successful acts.

[elvis1970s]

There had been a couple of interesting line-up changes in the TCB Band for Elvis' first tour of 1976: Larrie Londin on drums and Shane Keister on piano. Both had little or no structured rehearsal before being thrown in at the deep-end in Johnson City, Tennessee, but settled in incredibly well.

This clip is from the band introductions segment in Cincinnati, Ohio, March 21st, 1976, as Shane Keister plays some cracking rock and roll piano supported by the rest of the band.

[elvis1970s]

Hear Shane Keister's great piano solo during the band introductions segment, in Cincinnati, March 21st, 1976

Having played to 62 000 in Pontiac, Michigan, on the freezing New Year's Eve of 1975-76, by mid-March '76, Elvis was back on the relentless touring circuit, kicking off the year with two nights at the 7 000 seat Freedom Hall, Johnson City, Tennessee.

There had been some major upheavals in the touring band; piano player and arranger Glen Hardin had quit, replaced initially by Shane Keister.

It appears that James Burton (lead guitar) and Ronnie Tutt (drums) had also resigned, but then decided to stay on with improved contracts, although Ronnie Tutt was unavailable for this tour, with Nashville session legend Larrie Londin (pictured) sitting in.