John Wilkinson | Guitarist for Elvis, 67

Rhythm-guitar player John Wilkinson, 67, who performed with Elvis Presley more than a thousand times, died of cancer Friday at home in Springfield, Mo.

Mr. Wilkinson met Elvis Presley at age 10 after sneaking into the singer's dressing room before a show in Springfield. He amused Presley when he told him, "You can't play guitar worth a damn."

After that meeting, Mr. Wilkinson developed a name for himself as a singer and guitarist, performing with such groups as the New Christy Minstrels.

- AP