Dominic Joseph Fontana was an American musician best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley for 14 years. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Presley, which marked the beginning of a 15-year relationship. He played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis, and even toured with him when Presley was in concert. Dominic Joseph Fontana: Wiki Biography and More
Table of Contents
Early Life
Dominic Joseph Fontana was born on March 15, 1931, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He began playing drums at an early age and by his teens was performing with local bands. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Elvis Presley. Dominic Joseph Fontana: Wiki Biography and More
Worked With Elvis
Dominic Joseph Fontana was an American musician best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley for 14 years. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Presley, which marked the beginning of a 15-year relationship. He played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis, including many of his most famous songs. Fontana was a key part of the Elvis sound and helped make Presley’s music some of the most iconic of all time.
What Are His Awards?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in 2007. He was also honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers in 2009. In addition, he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012. He won a Grammy Award for his work on the album Elvis at Sun in 2004.
When Was He Born?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was born on March 15, 1931, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the only child of Italian immigrants. His father worked as a barber and his mother was a homemaker. Dominic grew up in a musical family and learned to play the drums at an early age.
How Old Is He?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was born on March 15, 1931, making him 87 years old as of 2018. He was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in Haynesville, Louisiana. His father, Domenico Fontana, was a local bandleader who exposed Dominic to music at a young age. Dominic began playing drums when he was just eight years old.
Where Was He Born?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was born on March 15, 1931, in Shreveport, Louisiana. He was the only child of Italian immigrants. His father, Joseph, was a professional drummer and his mother, Concetta, was a homemaker.
How Tall Is He?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was an American musician best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley for 14 years. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Presley, which marked the beginning of a 15-year relationship. He played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis.
He was born on March 15, 1931 in Shreveport, Louisiana. He began playing drums at the age of eight. His first professional gig was with Frankie Carle’s band when he was 16 years old.
Is He Married Or Single?
Dominic Joseph Fontana was married to Kay Wheeler from 1959 until his death in 2018. They had three children together. Fontana has been honored with a star on the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, a Rockabilly Hall of Fame induction, and Elvis Presley’s Walk of Fame. He died at the age of 74 on October 2nd, 2018.
Facts about Dominic J Fontana Jr.
Dominic was born on March 15, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He began playing drums at the age of 10. Dominic served in the United States Navy from 1950 to 1953. He was hired to play drums for Elvis Presley in 1955 and played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis. Dominic passed away on June 13, 2018 at the age of 87.
Net Worth And Salary
Dominic Joseph Fontana had an estimated net worth of $5 million at the time of his death. He made his fortune as a drummer, most notably playing for Elvis Presley for 14 years. He was paid an annual salary of $50,000 by Presley and also received royalties from the singer’s recordings. In addition to his work with Presley, Fontana also played on over 460 RCA cuts with other artists.
Q.&A.
Dominic Joseph Fontana was an American musician best known as the drummer for Elvis Presley for 14 years. In 1955, he was hired to play drums for Presley, which marked the beginning of a 15-year relationship. He played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis. He left Elvis’s band in 1970 and later became the Vice President of Decca Records International, but continued to work with other artists such as Neil Diamond, Bette Midler, Cher and Barry Manilow.
In 1979 he also played percussion in The Jigsaw Seen’s self-titled album The Jigsaw Seen.
In 1993 Joe retired from music altogether after suffering a stroke.