Jerry scheff autobiography vs biography
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Fans will however have seen most of the photos of Jerry playing with Elvis. I left with the feeling that—given the chance—Elvis and I could become friends.
Jerry Scheff’s stories about Elvis take up around a third of the book but don’t let that put you off as the rest is filled with marvellous tales of all sort of musicians, such as working with Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, John Denver (some great stories there) and The Doors.
There is also a lovely chapter about touring with Bob Dylan and his Rolling Thunder Review.
The book is 235 pages – full marks for a good index – of which Scheff’s stories with Elvis take up 68 pages of the book. It is an exciting inside view of the evolution and craft and work of making rock and roll - a must-have for true music craftsmen and music junkies in general. |
EIN Website content © Copyright the Elvis Information Network. There are some revealing stories of 50s’ racism in the black jazz music scene and some interesting revelations on how the jazz, R & B and soul musicians often intersected in their session and stage work.
The story of his first true gig as a white, skinny, 14 year-old in a duck-tail hairdo trying to impress a seriously cool black jazz band – paying until his fingers bled – is a fabulous tale.
We had just started talking to Priscilla when we heard a door shut right behind the wall we were sitting against. One oddity about the book is how he jumps around with the chronology at times but while this could be annoying, most times it is understandable. For me, a bummed-out bass player struggling down the aisle with my carry-ons, this was redemption at its finest.
With plenty of laughs and lovely insights along the way, you learn a lot not only about Elvis and the TCB Band but also about other well-known musicians. And you can get it for less than $14 from Amazon, great value.
Review by Piers Beagley.
EIN's Piers Beagley reviews this fine book & includes some delightful extracts.
Jerry Scheff, TCB Band bassist, has played behind some of the great names in popular music and spent several years in the US Navy before making his way to Los Angeles to begin the life of the session bassist - leading to his pivotal role in Elvis’ TCB band.
Jerry Scheff has a very endearing and warm style of writing.
Way Down: Playing Bass with Elvis, Dylan, The Doors and More: The Autobiography of Jerry Scheff
In this candid and perceptive memoir of his 45-year career, bassist Jerry Scheff takes us onto Elvis's private jet, on tour with Bob Dylan, and into the studio with The Doors. I also wish they had used a better looking photo of Elvis on the front cover.
A stalwart presence behind some of the greatest names of popular music, Scheff has also played with Roy Orbison, Elvis Costello, the Association, Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis, the Everly Brothers, John Denver, and Nancy Sinatra, to name just a few. We were all packed into Elvis's dressing room, all trying to talk at once.
Priscilla and Elvis greeted us at the door and I remember thinking it was odd that Elvis was wearing a suit when we were told to dress casual.
Priscilla let him in on the joke and we all had a good laugh together.