Country Music Hall of Fame Member Gordon Stoker Dies at Age 88
Country Music Hall of Fame member Gordon Stoker, who recorded numerous hits with Elvis Presley as a member of the Jordanaires, died Wednesday (March 27) at his Nashville-area home following a lengthy illness. He was 88. Stoker and other members of the vocal group also performed on classic recordings such as Jim Reeves' "Four Walls," Patsy Cline's "Crazy," George Jones' "He Stopped Loving Her Today," Don Gibson's "Oh Lonesome Me," Johnny Horton's "The Battle of New Orleans," Tammy Wynette's "Stand by Your Man," Conway Twitty's "Hello Darlin'" and Kenny Rogers' "Lucille." The group's other credits include sessions with Red Foley, Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Bobby Bare, Ricky Nelson, Ringo Starr, Connie Francis, Julie Andrews and many others. The quartet began working with Elvis Presley after he was signed to RCA Records, and Stoker played a key role in the background vocals on hits such as "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "I Was the One," "It's Now or Never," "Viva Las Vegas" and "Are You Lonesome Tonight." The Jordanaires were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.