Background
Scheff grew up in the San Francisco Bay area.
((Book). In this candid and perceptive memoir of his 45-ye...)
(Book). In this candid and perceptive memoir of his 45-year career, bassist Jerry Scheff takes us onto Elvis's private jet, on tour with Bob Dylan, and into the studio with The Doors. A stalwart presence behind some of the greatest names of popular music, Scheff has also played with Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, the Association, Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis, the Everly Brothers, John Denver, and Nancy Sinatra, to name just a few. Eschewing hype, Scheff provides a behind-the-scenes perspective, from having worked sleeves rolled up, side by side, with the great artists in their factories. The book opens with the TCB band's learning of the King's death while en route to a tour date, a pivotal moment for him, the rest of the band, and the world at large. He then proceeds on a nonlinear journey that mirrors the process of true life-reflection, from his roots in San Francisco to his touring all over the world. This is a tale of a man who has truly grown a career from a genuine love of music and of his instrument, proving how following that gift can bring a person to places beyond his wildest dreams. It is an exciting inside view of the evolution and craft and work of making rock and roll a must-have for true music craftsmen and music junkies in general.
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Scheff grew up in the San Francisco Bay area.
After serving in the United States. Navy he returned to California, ending up in Los Angeles as a session musician. After working at the Sands night club in Los Angeles with 16-year-old Billy Preston, Merry Clayton, and Don "Sugarcane" Harris, he played on his first hit record, The Association"s "Along Comes Mary" (1966). That success led to other early record appearances with Bobby Sherman, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Rivers, Neil Diamond, Nancy Sinatra, Pat Boone, Sammy Davis Junior., Bobby Vinton, The Monkees, The Everly Brothers, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.
In 1971, he appeared on Los Angeles Woman, the final album recorded by The Doors with Jim Morrison, playing bass on every track.
With the band, he performed in concert with Presley from August 1969 to June 1973 and from April 1975 until Presley"s final show on June 26, 1977 at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. He appears on Aloha from Hawaii (Elvis" 1973 live television concert), "Back In Memphis", That"s The Way lieutenant Is, Elvis As Recorded At Madison Square Garden, the documentary movie from 1972 Elvis On Tour, and Moody Blue, among others
In later years, Scheff worked with Willy DeVille, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Elvis Costello, The Doors, Sam Phillips, Richard Thompson, and many other artists. Scheff also was a bassist for Southern Pacific on their debut album.
He also participated in the 1987 cable television concert Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.
In June 2009 he gave a sold out performance in Breda, Netherlands with the remaining TCB bandmembers. Scheff has stopped touring with the TCB band due to creative and cultural differences. Scheff has two sons: Jason and Darin Scheff.
Jason has been the bassist for the band Chicago since 1985.
He co-wrote the song "Bigger Than Elvis" as a tribute to his father, featuring himself on vocals and Jerry on the bass guitar. Scheff wrote the 2012 musical autobiography titled.
In 2013 and 2014, Scheff performed two concerts in Birmingham (United Kingdom) with the singer Janson Bloomer, playing the greatest hits of Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and the Doors.
((Book). In this candid and perceptive memoir of his 45-ye...)
In July 1969, Scheff became a member of Elvis Presley"s touring TCB Band.