The Unseen Side of Elvis Presley: Behind the Scenes with D.J. Fontana and the King of Rock
Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll, is a legend whose influence on music and culture is immeasurable. His voice, his presence, and his groundbreaking music redefined the entertainment industry forever. However, there was a side to Elvis Presley that the public rarely saw—a side that was filled with humor, mischief, and a certain childlike innocence. D.J. Fontana, Elvis’s longtime drummer, offers a glimpse into this more personal side of the King in his book The Beat Behind The King. Through anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories, Fontana reveals how, despite his global superstardom, Elvis remained, in many ways, just a big kid at heart.
One such story that perfectly encapsulates the playful nature of Elvis occurred during their long hours on the road, traveling between shows. It wasn’t uncommon for the band to find themselves driving through endless miles of highways, with little to do but kill time. But what made these road trips memorable were the pranks and jokes that Elvis would play on those around him, ensuring that boredom never fully settled in the car.
The Shoes: A Practical Joke on the King
In one particularly memorable incident, D.J. Fontana recalls how Elvis’s shoes became the center of a prank that would leave him perplexed and laughing long after the fact. “We’d be riding down the road and Elvis would go to sleep in the back seat, and he would take his shoes off and put them on the floorboard of the backseat,” Fontana shares. “You know, you ride in the car for a week or so and those little feet would get stinking.”
As is often the case on long road trips, the smell of stale feet is an unwelcome companion. Fontana, along with the rest of the band, had grown used to the unpleasant odor. But instead of quietly enduring it, Fontana decided to have a little fun at Elvis’s expense. “I was usually riding shotgun up front, so I’d just reach back and throw those old shoes out,” he explains.
What followed was a perfect example of the camaraderie and playful dynamic that existed between the King and his band. Fontana recalls how he would make sure they were driving over a river—whether it was the Red River, the Mississippi River, or another—before casually tossing Elvis’s shoes out of the car.
“The next thing you know, Elvis would wake up, stretching and yawning, and ask, ‘Let’s stop somewhere and get something to eat,’” Fontana recalls with a chuckle. “He’d be looking for his shoes and say, ‘What happened to my shoes?’”
At first, the band members played along, pretending not to know where his shoes had gone. But eventually, they came clean, and the truth came out: “We threw them out because they were stinking so bad,” Fontana confessed.
Elvis, ever the good sport, took it in stride. “Who is this we?” he asked, with a grin. To which Fontana responded, “Me.”
This playful prank was just one example of the many humorous moments that shaped the road trips with Elvis. For all of his fame and grandeur, Elvis was still a man who enjoyed the simple joys of life—pranks, laughter, and moments that allowed him to escape the pressure of his legendary status.
A Prankster King: The Firecracker Incident
Elvis’s playful nature extended beyond just jokes about shoes. Another story that perfectly illustrates his mischievous side involves firecrackers and a lot of loud noise. During one road trip, Elvis decided to liven things up by buying a bag of firecrackers. “We stopped to eat one time on the road and Elvis bought firecrackers. He lit them and threw them in the backseat and scared us half to death!” Fontana recalls with a laugh.
As the band members shrieked in surprise, Elvis couldn’t help but burst into laughter, enjoying the chaos he had caused. The prank didn’t stop there. “He’d make us stop at every other firecracker stand,” Fontana continues. “I’d say, ‘We’ve got a bag full,’ and he says, ‘Well, you know man, we might need some more.’”
True to Elvis’s nature, the firecracker fun continued as they made random stops to stock up on more explosives. “We would throw firecrackers from the car to help ease the boredom,” Fontana says. This lighthearted mischief was a way for Elvis and the band to stay entertained during long stretches of travel, proving that even when things seemed monotonous, Elvis always found a way to inject fun into the situation.
It was moments like these—spontaneous, carefree, and filled with laughter—that defined the relationships between Elvis and his bandmates. They were not just a musical ensemble; they were a family, united by their shared experiences on the road. And while Elvis’s star power was undeniable, his humility and playful spirit made him more relatable than ever.
Elvis: A Big Kid with a Heart of Gold
D.J. Fontana’s stories reveal that Elvis was more than just a musical genius; he was a man who had never quite shed his youthful exuberance. Despite his immense fame, he remained grounded in a way that many celebrities struggle to maintain. He wasn’t just the King of Rock and Roll—he was also a prankster, a friend, and a man who still found joy in the little things.
As Fontana reflects on their time together, it’s clear that Elvis’s playfulness was one of the things that made him so beloved by those who knew him best. “Elvis was just a big kid,” Fontana says fondly. “He’d never get to a show on time. Elvis always played practical jokes. As a matter of fact, we all did…except Elvis never forgot.”
For those who worked closely with him, these playful moments were a refreshing escape from the pressures of the music industry. They were a reminder that no matter how high Elvis’s star rose, he was still a human being who enjoyed life’s simple pleasures.
The Band’s Bond: Humor and Camaraderie on the Road
Elvis’s pranks weren’t just limited to his shoes and firecrackers. The band members shared a unique bond, one that was built on mutual respect and a deep sense of humor. It wasn’t uncommon for the group to engage in playful banter, teasing each other and finding humor in even the most mundane situations.
Fontana, in particular, seems to have had a special place in Elvis’s heart. As the drummer who helped define the rhythm of Elvis’s early music, Fontana played an instrumental role in shaping the sound of rock and roll. But more than that, he was a trusted friend—a fellow prankster who shared in the fun and mischief that made their time on the road unforgettable.
“The great thing about Elvis was that he always had a sense of humor,” Fontana reflects. “Even when things were tough, he could always find a way to make you laugh. He made everything feel like an adventure.”
This camaraderie extended beyond just pranks and jokes. It was about the shared experiences that bonded the group together, the long hours spent traveling, and the countless hours spent creating some of the most legendary music in history.
Elvis’s Legacy: More Than Just a King
As we look back on Elvis Presley’s legacy, we often focus on his incredible contributions to music—the way he changed the sound of rock and roll, the way he broke barriers, and the way he became a global icon. But there is so much more to his story than the fame and fortune.
Elvis Presley was a man who, despite his immense success, remained grounded by his sense of humor and his relationships with those closest to him. His music, his impact on culture, and his enduring legacy as the King of Rock and Roll are all important parts of his story. But it’s these personal moments—like pranking his bandmates, buying firecrackers to kill time, and laughing at the simple joys of life—that remind us of who Elvis really was: a big kid at heart, with a love for life and the people around him.
Through the stories shared by D.J. Fontana in The Beat Behind The King, we are reminded that the man behind the myth was just as relatable, humorous, and down-to-earth as any of us. Elvis Presley wasn’t just the King of Rock and Roll—he was a friend, a jokester, and a man whose love for life never faded, no matter how high his fame soared.
Elvis’s Legacy as a Friend, Prankster, and Legend
The stories shared by D.J. Fontana offer a unique glimpse into the personal side of Elvis Presley—one that wasn’t seen by the millions of fans who adored him. Through pranks, laughter, and good-natured humor, Elvis created bonds with his bandmates and left behind memories that have lasted a lifetime. His legacy is not only defined by his groundbreaking music but by his heart, his playful spirit, and the way he brought people together.
As the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley will always be remembered for his revolutionary impact on music. But as a man, he will be remembered for his genuine love for life, his infectious sense of humor, and the lasting friendships he built along the way. These stories, shared by Fontana, remind us that the King was, at his core, just a big kid—a big kid who changed the world with his music and left an indelible mark on everyone he met.
