Jerry Scheff in new Elvis movie

[corinpills]

I just got back from watching the new film of Elvis in the early 70s in Vegas. It’s previously unseen film and they also found the multitrack recordings. It’s Elvis at his peak as a performer and in excellent voice. The main standout to me was how great Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt were. They play their asses off in these performances. I could not believe it when I noticed that none of the band or singers were listed in the credits. Baz Luhrmann deserves a beating.

 

[Mosthigh]

People tend to dismiss the 'Vegas Years' when Elvis became a tourist attraction, but that was undoubtedly an amazing band. James Burton, Ron Tutt, and Jerry were a powerhouse. As many folks know, Jerry also played bass on The Doors' LA Woman album.

Link to article in Guitar World (bassplayer):

“If it felt like punk speed freaks, so much the better. Elvis never came up to us saying, ‘Suspicious Minds was too fast tonight’”: At the suggestion of guitar picker James Burton, Elvis set up an audition with an unlikely bass candidate – Jerry Scheff

 

[Les Fret]

Same topic from last week:

Thread 'Jerry Scheff...truly an EPIC player!'

Feb 27, 2026

Just in from watching Baz Luhrman's new concert movie about Elvis...and wow, Jerry Scheff was on fire for those Vegas shows!
Some seriously fine playing throughout, and the bass was up in the mix!
Well worth a look for all the live footage, although overall as a documentary I think it didn't really work.

• Oddly
• Replies: 33
• Forum: Bassists [BG]

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[brianrost]

Same topic from last week:

I’ll have my version up in a new thread later today

 

[nixdad]

I just got back from watching the new film of Elvis in the early 70s in Vegas. It’s previously unseen film and they also found the multitrack recordings. It’s Elvis at his peak as a performer and in excellent voice. The main standout to me was how great Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt were. They play their asses off in these performances. I could not believe it when I noticed that none of the band or singers were listed in the credits. Baz Luhrmann deserves a beating.

I'm looking forward to seeing it.
You're right - there's no excuse for not giving the band the proper credit.

 

[Pdaddy1978]

I know the singers were the late, great, JD Sumner and the Stamps ( maybe the greatest bass singer who ever lived). And the Sweet Inspirations.
Between JD and Scheff, that's 2 great "bassists" on stage at the same time!
Elvis was so cool....

 

[BigJohnAZ]

I read something years ago that Elvis wanted Jerry to play fast, he loved it.

 

[Crackle]

People tend to dismiss the 'Vegas Years' when Elvis became a tourist attraction, but that was undoubtedly an amazing band. James Burton, Ron Tutt, and Jerry were a powerhouse. As many folks know, Jerry also played bass on The Doors' LA Woman album.

Link to article in Guitar World (bassplayer):

“If it felt like punk speed freaks, so much the better. Elvis never came up to us saying, ‘Suspicious Minds was too fast tonight’”: At the suggestion of guitar picker James Burton, Elvis set up an audition with an unlikely bass candidate – Jerry Scheff

Jerry Scheff also played on Ray Manzarek's first solo album, The Golden Scarab. Total masterpiece.

 

[astrah]

I just got back from watching the new film of Elvis in the early 70s in Vegas. It’s previously unseen film and they also found the multitrack recordings. It’s Elvis at his peak as a performer and in excellent voice. The main standout to me was how great Jerry Scheff and Ronnie Tutt were. They play their asses off in these performances. I could not believe it when I noticed that none of the band or singers were listed in the credits. Baz Luhrmann deserves a beating.

I sat through the credits to see who all the musicians were. None were listed. How do you get away with producing a movie that credits none of the performers except the star of the film?