John Wilkinson (guitarist)

John Wilkinson ( born July 3, 1945 in Washington, DC; † January 11, 2013 in Springfield, Missouri) was an American guitarist who belonged from 1969 to 1977 an integral part of the TCB band and more than 1,200 concerts of Elvis Presley was on stage.

Life

Wilkinson grew up in Springfield, Missouri, and was early a fan of Elvis Presley. However, the species does not he liked how Presley played guitar. When Elvis appeared in 1955 in his home, he knocked on the cabin of his idol and told him so plainly.

At 13, Wilkinson started his own band, which he called The Coachmen.

Approximately 1964 Wilkinson moved to California, where he attended the university and earned a reputation in the recording studios.

Because he still needed a rhythm guitarist, Elvis Presley recorded in 1968 contact with him. Soon after Wilkinson belonged to the death of the King of Rock 'n ' Roll 1977 his ensemble. In parallel, he also played occasionally for the Kingston Trio.

After Presley's death Wilkinson formed a band called Justice.

In 1989 he suffered a stroke, which led to the paralysis of his left arm, so that henceforth he could no longer play guitar.

However, he later joined occasionally on with some members of the old TCB band at Elvis commemorative events and tours and sang usually the song Early Morning Rain.

John Richard Wilkinson, as he was known by its full name, died on January 11, 2013 due to a cancerous condition.