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Jerry Scheff Archives

Elvis Presley Estate Releases “Live 1969” CD Set, Featuring Jerry Scheff
New Albums

Elvis Presley Estate Releases “Live 1969” CD Set, Featuring Jerry Scheff

Elvis Presley’s big comeback in 1969 began with a run of 57 sold-out shows in Las Vegas. It was the dawn of a new era, thanks in part to a new band, including session bassist Jerry Scheff. The new “Elvis: Live 1969” release features 11 complete sets.

Elvis Presley with Jerry Scheff: “Suspicious Minds”, Live 1970
Bass Videos

Elvis Presley with Jerry Scheff: “Suspicious Minds”, Live 1970

We recently featured Jerry Scheff in a new series, Profiles in Tone. In that interview, Jerry shared insights on how he got his tone. While I was researching for the interview, I found this clip from a 1970 concert with Elvis Presley in Las Vegas. The whole band is cooking, but Scheff’s bubbling yet muscular bass line really brings the...

Profiles in Tone: Jerry Scheff
Profiles in Tone

Profiles in Tone: Jerry Scheff

As bassist for Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and The Doors, Jerry Scheff’s sound epitomized rock bass tone in the ’70s. Thousands of bassists have studied his style while learning The King’s live version of “Suspicious Minds,” the psyche-penetrating bass groove from “Riders on the Storm” by The Doors, and countless other songs from Scheff’s career. That’s why we’re kicking off...

Jerry Scheff with Tributosaurus: “Riders On The Storm” and “L.A. Woman” (Live)
Bass Videos

Jerry Scheff with Tributosaurus: “Riders On The Storm” and “L.A. Woman” (Live)

Inspired by yesterday’s news of the Jerry Scheff‘s autobiography release, I got into watching a bunch of videos featuring the legendary bassist. Among them was this clip of Jerry with the band Tributosaurus performing the Doors’ classic, “Riders on the Storm”. This performance took place in 2007, at the Lakland 10th Anniversary concert in Chicago. Awseomeness. And, because it was...

Way Down: Jerry Scheff’s Autobiography Released
Player News

Way Down: Jerry Scheff’s Autobiography Released

It would be near impossible to top the stories Jerry Scheff can tell from his 45-year career in music. Being Elvis’ bassist alone would be worthy of a book. Add to that his time with Bob Dylan, the Doors, Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, the Association, Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis, the Everly Brothers, John Denver, Nancy Sinatra and many many others,...

Way Down: Playing Bass with Elvis, Dylan, the Doors and More – The Autobiography of Jerry Scheff
News

Way Down: Playing Bass with Elvis, Dylan, the Doors and More – The Autobiography of Jerry Scheff

Hard to believe the musical career of Jerry Scheff can fit into a 256 page autobiography, but somehow Scheff managed to do it. The pro session bassist has penned a memoir covering his 45 year career with some of the biggest names in popular music, set for release in March, 2012. In Way Down: Playing Bass with Elvis, Dylan, the...

Jerry Scheff: Elvis Concert Bass Solo
Bass Videos

Jerry Scheff: Elvis Concert Bass Solo

Here’s a classic clip of bassist Jerry Scheff pouring his soul into a blues solo during a taped performance with Elvis Presley.

Elvis (and One Great Rhythm Section): See See Rider
Bass Videos

Elvis (and One Great Rhythm Section): See See Rider

Wow, this is one smokin’ performance by Elvis and his awesome rhythm section: bassist Jerry Scheff, rhythm guitarist John Wilkinson and drummer Ronnie Tutt. The tune is Chuck Willis’s “CC Rider” (or as Elvis titled it, “See See Rider”), performed in 1972 for the Elvis on Tour release. Enjoy!