good rocking' tonightConcerts
Produced by Darwin Lamm
Keeping the Memories Alive
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Darwin Lamm’s *Good Rockin’ Tonight* concerts began in the late 1980s and quickly became a beloved tradition during *Elvis Week* in Memphis each year. These shows were more than just concerts — they were heartfelt tributes to Elvis and the fans who never stopped loving him.
As Phil Arnold beautifully put it in *Elvis International* magazine, the roots of Elvis Week go all the way back to 1978, when about a thousand fans made the pilgrimage to Memphis to mark the first anniversary of Elvis’s passing. Over the years, more and more activities were added, and the whole celebration started to grow. In 1982, when Graceland officially opened to the public, it gave Elvis Week — or *Elvis Tribute Week*, as some called it — a huge boost. Touring Graceland became a must-do part of the experience, and by 1990, more than 35,000 people were showing up to honor the King.
That same year, on August 16, 1990, rock legend Carl Perkins headlined the very first *Good Rockin’ Tonight* concert. It brought together an incredible mix of tribute artists and musicians who had played with Elvis himself. What started as a tribute soon began to feel more like a big family reunion — with fans and friends of Elvis gathering to share memories, music, and love for the man who changed it all.
By the 25th anniversary of Elvis’s passing, it was hard to imagine the celebration in Memphis without Darwin Lamm’s concerts. He had a gift for gathering an amazing lineup of people from Elvis’s world — the performers, the insiders, the legends — and bringing them all together on one unforgettable stage.
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'Magazines Concerts & Darwin' by Phil Arnold
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"Darwin has had several distinct careers in his life, and I have been fortunate to be involved with him on two of them - magazine publisher and concert promoter.
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Darwin was the King of Concerts at 'Elvis Week' in Memphis. In the late 80's he correctly assessed that the fans coming for the event didn't have any really good concerts to attend. Graceland wasn't doing anything, so Darwin filled the void.
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In 1990, he staged the first of his "Good Rockin' Tonight" concert with headliner Carl Perkins. Also on the bill was the Sun Rhythm Section, featuring D.J. Fontana on drums.
In 1992, Darwin put on a show for the ages. Carl Perkins and the Sun Rhythm Section were back and new performers on the bill included Ronnie McDowell and the Jordanaires. But Darwin had a special treat for the Elvis fans that night. Toward the end of Carl Perkins' set, D.J. Fontana came out and took over at the drums. Then, Scotty Moore came out to raucous applause and played guitar on a few songs. Darwin and Carl Perkins had teamed up in an effort to talk Scottie out of retirement from Performing and to go on stage for the first time in twenty-four years.
Darwin continued to put on "Good Rockin' Tonight" concerts every year. By the time I got to my first one in 2001, he had reassembled the entire TCB Band, a huge fan favorite. At my first "Good Rockin' Tonight" concert, I learned that the place to be was backstage. In addition to the performers, anybody who was part of Elvis' history dropped in, and it was like a reunion of sorts. So, the next year Darwin gave me a 'Staff- All Access' Pass to wear around my neck, and I headed backstage. My job was to be a Go-fer. If somebody needed a cold bottle of water, I'd go-fer it. I made extra copies of the set list, carried in food from the parking garage, and meet Bill Black's children at the ticket office and escorted them in. I got to hang out with everybody and get tons of autographs.
The next year, Darwin let me take a chair at the table in the big room backstage before tons started showing up. I stayed there as they arrived, and everybody either sat at the table or stood nearby and I heard all their old stories. I also got photos of me sitting with Scottie Moore, D.J. Fontana, the TCB Band, and Millie Kirkham. During the day I would hang out with Darwin. One morning, we were eating breakfast when D.J. Fontana sat down at the table with us. After he left, Scottie Moore joined us. Talk about being up close and person with Elvis' bandmates. It's a memory I'll treasure forever.
From 1989 and for the next 20 years, Lamm brought to Memphis an incredible list of friends of Elvis including artists and musicians who had played with Elvis. It was these concert events called 'Good Rockin' Tonight" that became the Main Event event at Graceland each year.
So thank you, Darwin, for getting me involved with the concerts. And thank you for being a wonderful friend."
Phil Arnold - Writer, Go-fer, Friend
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The Birth of Rock & Roll: July 5, 1954
PRESENTS
Darwin Lamm continued his tradition of Good Rockin' Tonight concerts when he treated Elvis fans to a double-header: The 50th Anniversary of Rock & Roll.
James Burton / Ronnie Tutt / Glen D. Hardin / Jerry Scheff