1. Ronald Ellis Tutt was an American drummer who was the principal drummer for Elvis Presley, the Carpenters, Roy Orbison, Neil Diamond, and Jerry Garcia.
15 Facts About Ron Tutt
1. 2.
Ron Tutt was a session drummer who recorded with some of the most prominent musicians of his day.
3.
Ron Tutt was involved with music and the performing arts for most of his childhood; he played the guitar, violin and trumpet.
4.
At age 16, Ron Tutt played his first paying gig, with a Western Swing band which included guitarists Tommy Morrell and Leon Rhodes; they would become the staff band for The Northside Jamboree with Scotty Moore and Bill Black, Saturday night live radio broadcasts which aired from the Northside Coliseum in Fort Worth.
5.
In 1956, after graduating from North Dallas High School, Ron Tutt attended the University of North Texas at Denton where he studied music.
6.
Ron Tutt played for the TCB Band the Elvis Presley touring and recording band, which he auditioned for in 1969.
7.
Ron Tutt flew in with his drum kit, which he set up in the recording studio, though while he was waiting to be called, another drummer walked in and began playing his kit.
8.
Ron Tutt thought that he had lost the chance to even audition, as Gene Pello was incredibly experienced and seemed to be winning Elvis Presley over.
9.
Ron Tutt chose not to be sycophantic around Elvis, and remained forthright in his dealings with the star.
10.
Ron Tutt played on Billy Joel's second and third albums: 1973's breakthrough, Piano Man and 1974's Streetlife Serenade.
11.
Around early 1974, Ron Tutt began recording and touring with the Jerry Garcia Band, and Jerry Garcia's and Merl Saunders' brief Legion of Mary.
12.
In 1982, Ron Tutt returned to the studio with Garcia to help record Run for the Roses.
13.
Ron Tutt married Loretta Ann McCraney in 1961; they had two children before divorcing in 1971.
14.
Ron Tutt was married to Donna Tutt from 1972 until his death; they had eight children, one of whom pre-deceased his father.
15.
Ron Tutt died of heart disease at his home in Franklin, Tennessee at age 83.