Elvis Presley’s bandleader Joe Guercio dies
Joe Guercio — who led Elvis Presley’s band in Las Vegas from 1970 to his final performance in 1977 — died Sunday in Nashville.
Mr. Guercio and Presley first crossed paths in Las Vegas, soon after the rock legend began his famed residency at the International Hotel. Mr. Guercio was the International’s musical director, and soon found himself leading a rhythm section and 26-piece orchestra behind Presley, who was known for his spontaneity. Mr. Guercio would joke that his job was “like following a marble down concrete steps.”
In the process, Mr. Guercio made a few creative choices that would become among Presley’s best-known calling cards. The peppy horn fanfare that played during Presley’s stage entrances and exits was Mr. Guercio’s composition. He also came up with the idea to open his Vegas shows with Richard Strauss’ “Also sprach Zarathustra,” best known for its inclusion in the film “2001: A Space Odyssey.”
“I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe Guercio,” said Presley’s former wife, Priscilla Presley. “He was a close friend and associate who will be greatly missed by us all. I was fortunate to see him at Graceland a few months ago, and as only Joe could do, he had us all laughing with him at his stories. His musical talent was unsurpassed. Elvis loved working with him. We have all lost a great man and a true gentleman. My heart goes out to his beloved family.”
In the decades after Elvis Presley’s death, Mr. Guercio was still one of many keeping the legend of “The King” alive. Starting in 1997, he served as the conductor for “Elvis: The Concert,” which paired a live band with archival Presley recordings. He also was on hand for the “Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert” in Memphis in 2012.
“All of us at Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Guercio,” said CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Jack Soden. “He was a dear friend and loved by all. Joe not only entertained millions as an incredibly talented musical director, but also entertained all that knew him with his wonderful sense of humor. The world has lost a great man, and we all have lost a special friend.”
In addition to Presley, Mr. Guercio worked with a number of other musical giants over the years. He began his career as an accompanist for Patti Page and was an arranger for Barbra Streisand’s “Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead” and Gladys Knight’s “The Way We Were/Try to Remember.” In 1997, his career even took him to the Vatican, when he joined B.B. King to perform at the Vatican’s annual Christmas concert and meet Pope John Paul II.
“I’ve really had a great life,” he said in a 2010 interview with the National Association of Music Merchants. “And luck played a big part of it, you know? Being in the right place at the right time.”
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Cindy Watts contributed to this report. Reach Dave Paulson at dnpaulson@tennessean.com.