Jerry Scheff (Bass Player) Elvis P. & C., Doors...

[rickboy88]

The TCM (Turner Classic Movies) channel had a series of Elvis Presley related programming yesterday on what would have been his 75th birthday. I really enjoyed listening to the "busy" bass playing of Jerry Scheff, a member of Elvis Presley's band from the late 60's to his death in 1977.

I had already become a big fan of Mike Leech's playing from the 1969 "Memphis Session" recordings ("Suspicious Minds," "Kentucky Rain," etc.). I've loved the bass in both of those songs since I was a kid humming bass parts along to songs. I recently bought a used 2 CD set of the Memphis sessions called "Suspicious Minds" via Amazon. Apparently a book is coming out on the Memphis session players, but I think it is from a university press and will be pricey.

Anyway, TCM showed the revamped 1970 Las Vegas 6 concert series with Scheff playing bass, as well as a concert 2 years later. Here is Jerry's website link. I recommend clicking on the "bio" link, as it makes for interesting reading:

http://www.jerryscheff.com/

Jerry jokes that he has a hard time listening to the old Elvis concert records, as his bass playing is almost too busy ("Elvis" high energy). Very talented guy though, all in all, and Elvis clearly liked the way he played.

[woodyng]

too busy? nah,it was the 70's right? i loved his playing on those live tracks....

[BAD RONBO, KiLLeR DWaRfS]

elvis was very fond of the bass !

[ajish4]

I discovered Jerry during the John Denver years....check out his body of work!

http://www.jerryscheff.com/

[rickboy88]

elvis was very fond of the bass !

I think that also extended to his bass singer guy - not sure of his name. He wasn't part of the male backing group for the 1970 Las Vegas performances, but he was there for the 1972 concert tour with another male backing group (same female backing group) - with Jerry sporting a full beard by then.

Here's a clip from one of the 1970 Vegas shows. Jerry is right behind Elvis. This isn't the best "Suspicious Minds" performance - more of an out-take. They filmed all 6 nights and pulled out the best ones for movie shown on TCM. At rate rate, here it goes:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWRo6C_HcEo