The Blue Moon Boys: The Story of Elvis Presley's Band

I've listened to my fair share of Elvis's music, and I consider myself a generally engaged music fan. This is an involving, entertaining read that I think you will both find interesting and fun. Enjoy.

This is the untold - or seldom told, at least - story of Elvis' original band. Scotty Moore was there for his discovery and early success and, along with Bill Black and D.J. Fontana, comprised his first band. For me, they were along for the most interesting part of The King's ride.

The response to the book is amazing! People come out of the woodwork who have an interest in it or the video: 200 Cadillacs. A cousin of a Cadillac recipient, friends or relatives of DJ Fontana, people ith ties to one of the band or Elvis, even a Mensa member who's sister was taken to her prom by Elvis. They all love it! Tom Crain The Coffee Tree Books & Brew

If you are one of those people like me who like Elvis fine, but really wanted to know just who those guys were who were backing him up with that great bass and guitar (and later drums), then this book is for you. A great addition to Scotty Moore's That's Alright Elvis bio, it documents just how Elvis and his band got together, and why they didn't stay a band together. Die hard Elvis fans would be interested in the stories told of a young Elvis and how he was discovered, but it's the rockabillys and musicians who would be most interested in the band that helped make Rock 'n Roll what it is today.

I came within a whisker of throwing it in the bin; I'm glad I didn't, because despite the silly errors it is still a fine book. When "The Blue Moon Boys" arrived, in order to get a taste of what was inside I chose a page at random. It was the opening of chapter 8, Fading into the Shadows, and deals with Elvis Presley's return from the army in 1960. The authors state the following: "Elvis' first order of business was fresh recordings. 'Stuck on You', which was backed by the excellent honky-boogie of 'A Mess of Blues' . . . " The fact, of course, is that "Fame and Fortune" was the flip of "Stuck on You". "Mess of Blues" backed "It's Now or Never" later that same year. Okay, I said, I'll give these guys a second chance. So what happens? The first chapter starts with these words: "The patience Sam Phillips spoke of was very much in evidence at his Memphis Recording Service on July 5, 1954. Scotty Moore, Bill Black and an eighteen-year-old singer named Elvis . . . " For crying out loud, I thought, if you authors don't know that Elvis was 19 years old in July 1954, you should not be writing a book about the Blue Moon Boys . . . or anything to do with rockabilly music. I eventually changed my mind, but only after finding more errors. They include: Elvis final Hayride show was in 1956 not 1957; A Little Less Conversation" was an international hit in 2002 not 2004; in late 1996 Scotty Moore and D J Fontana were 64 and 65 respectively not 66 and 67. There are others but I don't want to waste valuable review time with further criticism. Essentially, this book offers a fascinating insight into the lives of the three men who helped Elvis create his unique sound and who have been so often unfairly overlooked. Dan Griffin, who is one of the authors of this book, was a close friend of Scotty Moore and helped manage and promote his concerts during the 1990s. The chapters devoted to the recording of All The King's Men in 1996 are particularly interesting given that Griffin was closely involved with the project. Scotty's failing health and the eventual split between the two men is also covered in detail. Elvis gets plenty of attention from Griffin and co-author Ken Burke, but it is the great Bill Black, Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana who are the primary focus. Essential reading.