Joe Guercio Has Died: Very sadly after a false rumour in recent days, Joe Guercio, Elvis' long-time conductor and musical director, has died. The news has been confirmed by James Burton and Donna Tutt. Joe was hospitalised recently after a fall and apparently died due to complications.

Joe enjoyed a prolific career, but is best known and admired for his work with Elvis. He was musical director and conductor for Elvis' concert shows from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977 and Elvis' final performance.
When EIN talked with Joe Guercio in Honolulu at the 40th Anniversary celebration of 'Aloha'  he was surprisingly cool about the whole event.
Guercio told me that while the original "Aloha" was an astounding telecast it was other concerts that he remembered as being more emotional. He talked about the excitement of Madison Square Garden, the hysteria and explosion of the flashbulbs "It seemed like the whole of New York was there, it was important to Elvis" - but was disappointed that more

video footage hasn't been found. His favourite memory he said was of the first time they played 'An American Trilogy' in Atlanta, Georgia in June '73  and the whole place going wild. The standing ovation and screams from the crowd as Elvis first sang "I Wish I was in Dixie" were unbelievable - Guercio said that his hair stood on end and they had to pause the song just to let the emotion of the crowd subside. He was far more excited about the large touring shows that the staid Las Vegas concerts.