Gordon Stoker Dead: Jordanaires Member Leaves Legend of Country & Rock Royalty

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Gordon Stoker, a member of The Jordanaires vocal group that backed up Elvis Presley, has died. He was 88.

His son, Alan, told The Associated Press that Stoker died Wednesday at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, after a lengthy illness. Stoker, who was born in Gleason, Weakley County, got his start playing the piano on WSM radio and its signature show, the Grand Ole Opry.

He joined the Jordanaires as a piano player, but then took on a role as a vocalist singing tenor. The group was already well known for their gospel singing when Presley recruited them to perform on his recording of "Hound Dog," in 1956.

The group also performed with Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, George Jones and Tennessee Ernie Ford.

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