By the late 1960s, Elvis Presley was at a critical turning point in his career. The once-unstoppable rock and roll sensation who had dominated the pop charts from 1956 through 1958 had lost his musical momentum. Following a two-year stint in the U.S. Army and a string of Hollywood films that focused more on glamour than guitars, Elvis’s reputation as a serious musician had faded. As the world embraced the counterculture sounds of the Summer of Love in 1967, the King of Rock and Roll risked becoming a relic of a bygone era.
But in 1968, everything changed. That year, Elvis staged an incredible comeback with his televised NBC special simply titled Elvis. The electrifying performance, often referred to as the “’68 Comeback Special,” reignited interest in Presley as a performer. It reminded the world of his raw talent, charisma, and enduring appeal. Yet even with that powerful resurgence, something was missing: Elvis needed more than a televised jolt—he needed a fresh musical direction and a band that could support it.
Enter James Burton, the legendary guitarist known for his impeccable playing and deep roots in country and rockabilly. Tasked with helping Elvis form a new live band, Burton knew the King needed musicians who could match his energy and elevate his evolving sound. One of the first people Burton thought to bring in was an unlikely candidate for bass: Jerry Scheff.
Scheff wasn’t the typical rock and roll bassist. He had cut his teeth playing jazz and session gigs in Los Angeles, gaining a reputation for his versatility and smooth style. But what he lacked in traditional rock pedigree, he made up for in musical instincts and an ability to adapt to any genre. Burton recommended Scheff to Elvis, suggesting he come in for an audition.
The recommendation proved to be a pivotal moment. Elvis, eager to experiment and hungry to reclaim his place at the top of the music world, was open to working with new talent. Scheff’s audition impressed not only Elvis but the rest of the crew. His rich, fluid bass lines added a new depth and groove to Presley’s evolving sound, blending perfectly with the soulful energy Elvis sought for his return to live performance.
Jerry Scheff would go on to become a staple in Elvis’s TCB (Taking Care of Business) Band, playing bass for the King throughout the 1970s. His work can be heard on some of Presley’s most iconic live performances and recordings from that era. Whether in the studio or on stage in Las Vegas, Scheff brought a jazz-infused foundation that anchored Elvis’s new sound.
The addition of Scheff and other top-tier musicians marked the beginning of a new chapter in Presley’s career. With a revitalized lineup and a bolder, more soulful sound, Elvis reestablished himself not only as a rock and roll icon but as a live performer capable of evolving with the times.
Thanks to James Burton’s sharp eye for talent and Elvis’s willingness to embrace change, Jerry Scheff became an essential part of the King’s musical rebirth.