Bob Lanning

About

Bob Lanning got his big break because Elvis Presley took one listen and made up his mind. Nine drummers were supposed to audition in October 1969, but the moment Presley heard Lanning play, he reportedly said, "Looks like we got our drummer!" Bassist Jerry Scheff had pitched him as a replacement for Ron Tutt, who was busy with other engagements. That landed Lanning a spot in Presley's TCB Band for 1970. He drummed through the International Hotel residency in Las Vegas and appears on the live album On Stage, which includes The Wonder of You, See See Rider, Polk Salad Annie, Proud Mary and Sweet Caroline. He also played the six record breaking shows at the Houston Astrodome that year. Tutt returned in August 1970, and Lanning moved on to a long career as a session drummer in Los Angeles, playing studio dates and concerts for plenty of other artists.