In March, 1976, two highly accomplished Nashville musicians joined the Elvis show for the first tour of the year; Larrie Londin on drums and Shane Keister on piano.
Larrie Londin recalled that they all assembled at Graceland prior to the tour for band rehearsals - Elvis dropped in to say hello and then left. Larrie thought he had gone off to get a soft drink, but it soon became apparent that Elvis wasn't coming back. All their gear was then packed up and shipped to the first venue, and he and Shane Keister had to make it up as best they could on stage.
Larrie Londin said this of Elvis' special rapport with his drummers;
"…Elvis hated drum risers. He wanted the drums on the floor right next to him, as close as possible. He wanted to feel the bass drum kicking him in the ass. He roamed around the stage, but at critical moments in the show - tempo changes and endings - he was always right there close - so that I could see him give signals…"
