D. J. Fontana Played (Elvis Presley), 1960s Slingerland Shelbyville 2-Piece Studio Drum Set

D. J. Fontana played, Slingerland - 2-Piece 1960s Drum set

D.J. Fontana was best known as the drummer in Elvis Presley's band. In 1955 he began a 14 year relationship with Elvis, recording some of his most enduring hits including "Heartbreak Hotel", "Hound Dog", "Don't Be Cruel", and "Jailhouse Rock". He and the band toured extensively throughout the 1950s. D.J. played his final appearance with the band on Elvis' 1968 Comeback Special.

D.J. remained active in the Rockabilly music world, particularly in the Nashville area for the remainder of his life. He routinely recorded at his favorite studio, Bucky Barrett's Majic Music in East Nashville, TN where he played this Slingerland two-piece (bass drum + snare) drum set in Sparkling Blue Pearl finish.

The set was built not far from Barrett's studio at Slingerland's short lived Shelbyville, TN factory in about 1965. Slingerland Shelbyville drums are extremely rare. Their 3 ply mahogany/poplar/mahogany shells are the only Slingerland Drums ever made with oak reinforcing rings. All of their other shells used maple reinforcing rings. 20x14" center lug bass drum with a matching 14x5" 6 lug snare and a 19" Zyn (?) cymbal. This very basic configuration was the house set at Majic Music and used on countless recordings by many of Nashville's rockabilly elite.

Hear a recording of "Oh Boy" with D.J. Fontana on what is likely this drum set, recorded at Majic Music studio in 1979 in the attached YouTube video.

The set comes with it's original bass drum mounted L-arm cymbal holder, bass drum spurs and snare drum stand.

Serial Numbers:

• Snare Drum: #11480
• Bass Drum: #19522

The set was obtained by Stephen Shutts of Rockology LLC, directly from Bucky Barrett in 2021. A letter from Bucky Barrett, confirming the sets history with D.J. Fontana is included as well as a COA from Rockology LLC.