Unfortunately we have another passing to report, Joe Guercio passed yesterday. Details are not available. Joe Guercio has enjoyed a prolific career, but he is probably best known and admired for his work with Elvis Presley. He was musical director and conductor for Elvis concert shows from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977 when Elvis made his last concert appearance. Elvis was known for spontaneity and improvisation on stage and the cast had to be ready for anything. Guercio remembers Hed just turn around and start a tune. The rhythm section knew him backwards and forwards, but when youre up there conducting a twenty-six-piece orchestra, what are you gonna do? In describing that experience, Guercio once commented good-naturedly that conducting for Elvis was like following a marble down concrete steps. This led to his being a target for a particular practical joker. Guercio later found his stage tux stuffed with marbles and a few hundred more rolling around in his dressing room. Along with the marbles was a note: Follow the marble - E.P.
Posted on: Sat, 03 Jan 2015 15:07:03 +0000