'68 Sit Down Shows & Alan Fortas

[jon_burrows]

I've recently been watching the Deluxe Edition of the '68 Special again and I still can't understand why Alan Fortas is on the stage. I know why Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana and Charlie Hodge are there but why Alan Fortas?
I've heard different reasons from 'security' to 'his father had recently passed away so it would be nice for him to be involved in some way'.

Does anyone have any other explanations for his presence in musical history?

[MISSCLAWDY]

From what I read in some books including Guralnick's Alan Fortas was there to let Elvis feel more confortable , at ease with the audience , and to recreate a friendly atmosphere as it was his first live performance in almost ten years;)