Elvis Presley's Drummer - The Buddy Rich of Rock & Roll

Drumming Legend Ronnie Tutt Interview (Elvis, Roy Orbison, Jerry Garcia)

What do Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Jerry Garcia, Billy Joel, The Carpenters, and Neil Diamond have in common? The drummer Ronnie Tutt! Recently I saw the Elvis movie "Elvis" and the actor playing Ronnie Tutt on the drums was spot on and it reminded me of the interview I did with the drumming legend himself years ago. I hope you enjoy this wide ranging conversation with drumming great Ronnie Tutt...I know I did!

Leave a comment below and let me know your thoughts!
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Cymbals: Zildjian

Drums: Whatever I feel like

Sticks: Vic Firth 5A

Heads: Aquarian

In Ears: Alclair In Ear Monitors

Lauten Microphones

Earthworks Microphones

[marvingoodman]

I was fortunate to be able to see Ronnie Tutt work with both Elvis and Neil Diamond... HE KEPT BOTH OF THEM WORKING HARD DURING THE WHOLE CONCERT!!! Definitely one of the best...

[skee]

one of the greatest drummers in rock n roll history! RIP

[regsymes]

The one and only Ronnie tut and the one and only Elvis. Phew what a team

[lelandsklar]

I had the great pleasure of recording many times with Ron and he was one of the best! And a great hang!!!!

[Elluvis]

Ronny and Elvis was a machine during live performances!

[rogermansour]

As a chlld raised in Haiti my dream was to come to America and play drums for Elvis. I arrived in the States in 1963 and joined a rock group called the Vagrants featuring Leslie West on guitar and we recorded some records and had a big following in the New York, Long Island area .
I later became a missionary and moved back to Haiti to minister there
Evangelist Roger Mansour

[GrassRoots-fpty]

Some of Elvis's greatest songs and performances were during the comeback. And Ronnie absolutely nailed it!!!

[ChrisR_]

I love Ronnie, he was just a beast behind a drum kit, his kit was pretty big as well
R.I.P The great Ronnie Tutt, i hope all you guys have met up again rocking in heaven as we speak ❤❤❤❤❤

[sartainja]

Viva the memory and music of Ronnie Tutt. One of the greatest drummers of all time.

[donnap.c.]

Great interview with Ronnie Tut. Can’t believe he is so humble and great. His playing with Elvis was phenomenal!! We lost a great drummer the day Ronnie died! RIP. You will be missed and talked about for a very long time!

[memphissommers]

Excellent interview Stephen! I'm a working drummer here in Las Vegas and I have been a fan of Ronnie's since the 60's, seeing him live on more ocassions than I can count. Elvis giving Ronnie full license to play as he wished not only explained what kind of musician Elvis was, but exposed to the world how creative and masterful Ronnie was. Ronnie is one of the few musicians I miss, every day. RIP Ron! TCB. ~Memphis

[drjimcianciulli]

Ronnie blew my mind as a young drummer! My mom swooned with the King, and I was just glued to Ronnie's playing🥁😳 Great clip, man! Thank you😊👍

[TSOE-JustGoodMusic]

"On the drums from Dallas TX is hard-workin' Ronnie Tutt." - Elvis. Thank you for this interview! TCB ⚡

[joeday]

Elvis Presley could have handpicked any drummer he wanted from any genre of music from anywhere on the planet. He chose Ronnie Tutt to be his exclusive drummer for the last decade of his career. Nothing more needs to be said.

If you children want to see absolutely the most legendary, most iconic opening number in rock history, dig "Also Sprach Zarathustra/See See Rider" from "Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii." God rest his soul, he was a drummer literally fit for a King. God bless you for sharing this, man.

[claudeabraham]

Im age 68. I started drums in 1968 at age 13. Whenever Elvis sang on tv, I was listening to Ron. He really drove that band very well. He wailed when called for, but played a nice pocket when Elvis was singing.

[davidwinthrop]

Great interview with the legendary Ronnie Tutt. A superb drummer, both live and in the studio who played for the song. Sadly missed but never forgotten. Great interview Stephen.

[vanessanazareth]

Ronnie Tutt was a 1 of a kind drummer. I absolutely loved him. He was the greatest & the best drummer. God Bless Him in Heaven.

[bobleitch]

Often wondered who drummed on Suspicious Minds. Just superb.

[crazycasey]

Ronny is been a idol to me when i whas a kid...you know i played with all the elvis i watched them on tv or video....
But another person came into my life and that whas the drummer of "Golden Earring"...Cesar you think Ronny would do a live show with will pay anything to see that....thanks for sharing this a kind of the first european tours of Elvis the concert....he gave me his are holy to me

[Taleb]

As the go to Elvis Tribute drummer both here in Melbourne and other states in Australia, I have spent much time listening and learning from Ronnie Tut and try to do him justice .indeed a big shoes to fill. My heart was broken when I heard of his passing. I owe him so much. Rest in peace brother.
Stephen you are an amazing musician and demonstrating a real talent for a great interview ., especially your very first. You did awesome and I am honored to have watched this podcast with the legend that Mr Tut was and always will be.