Jerry Scheff

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Jerry Obern Scheff is an American bassist, perhaps best known for his work with Elvis Presley in the early 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. His first big break was The Association's "Along Comes Mary" (1966), and that success led to numerous other record appearances: 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 the early 1970s Scheff became a member of Elvis Presley's touring TCB Band. He appeared in Aloha from Hawaii (Elvis' 1973 live television concert) and continued working with Presley until his death.

In later years Scheff worked with Willy DeVille, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Elvis Costello, Sam Phillips, and many other artists. Scheff also was a bassist for Southern Pacific from 1983 to 1986. He also participated in the 1987 cable television concert Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.

Jerry Scheff has three musician sons: Jason, Darin, and Lauren. Jason Scheff has been the bassist for the band Chicago since 1985; he co-wrote the song "Bigger Than Elvis" as a tribute to his father.