Jerry Scheff

Who is Jerry Scheff?

Jerry Obern Scheff is an American bassist, best known for his work with Elvis Presley in the 1970s as a member of his TCB Band and his work on The Doors' final recordings.

Scheff grew up in the San Francisco Bay area. After serving in the U.S. 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". That success led to other early record appearances with Bobby Sherman, Johnny Mathis, Johnny Rivers, Neil Diamond, Nancy Sinatra, Pat Boone, Sammy Davis Jr., Bobby Vinton, The Everly Brothers, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. In 1971, he appeared on L.A. Woman, the final album recorded by The Doors with Jim Morrison.

In July 1969, Scheff became a member of Elvis Presley's touring TCB Band. 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.