June 3, 2008 10:41

Elvis Presley backing singer dies

Hugh Jarrett appeared on stage and in Elvis' films

One of Elvis Presley's backing singers has died in hospital in Atlanta.

Hugh Jarrett, 78, died in an Atlanta hospital on Saturday (May 31) from injuries suffered in a car accident on May 25.

Jarrett was a singer in Elvis Presley's backing band The Jordinaires from 1954 to 1958 and had lived in the Atlanta area since the '60s.

As well as singing with Presley, Jarrett sang on the first tour the star did after finishing military service in 1960, and appeared in several movies with him too.

Jarrett, who was originally from Nashville, last sang with The Jordinaires in Memphis in 1997.