Gordon Stoker, who as part of the vocal group the Jordanaires sang backup on hits by Elvis Presley and others, died Wednesday at the age of 88 at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee.
Stoker, whose high tenor vocals grace thousands of significant recordings by Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Loretta Lynn, Rick Nelson and many others, was 88.
"For more than 70 years, Gordon Stoker made enormous contributions to the Nashville music industry, beginning in 1942 as pianist for the John Daniel Quartet on radio station WSM," said John Rumble, senior historian at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in a statement. "Singing tenor with the Jordanaires, Stoker backed hundreds of featured artists in the recording studio, ranging from Red Foley, Don Gibson, Kenny Rogers and George Jones to Connie Francis, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme and Julie Andrews."
Alan Stoker said his father was just 15 when he started playing professionally. He joined the Jordanaires as a piano player, then became the tenor vocalist. The musicians were already well known for their gospel singing when Presley recruited them to perform on his recording of "Hound Dog" in 1956.
When Presley began performing two shows a night in Las Vegas, the Jordanaires bowed out. After his death in 1977, they recorded tribute albums featuring his familiar songs.
A memorial service will be held Saturday, according to the Jordanaires' website.
Stoker is survived by Jean Stoker, his wife of 61 years; sons Alan and Brent; daughter Venita and daughter-in-law Jeanne; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
