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JASON SCHEFF’S RISE to the top of the pop music world came faster and easier than he ever expected or even dreamed. In 1985, Scheff, born and raised in San Diego, was a studio musician (bass and vocals) in Los Angeles who sent his tape of original songs to anyone who’d listen, with the hope someone might record one of his tunes. Among the artists to whom he shopped his music was Peter Cetera, who’d just left the band Chicago to embark on a solo career and was looking for material for his new record. Scheff wanted to write songs for Cetera, but his former band’s management had other plans.
“Peter and Chicago had split, but they were still on the same record label, Warner Brothers,” recalls Scheff. “When Chicago’s management heard my tape, I guess they liked it. They called me and told me they were considering hiring me as the new lead singer for Chicago. I was 23 years old. I was pretty excited to even be considered.”
Scheff’s audition went well enough for him to land the daunting gig with the legendary group. But, he says, “I didn’t blow their minds. They saw the potential; they saw that I could sing, play and record. I knew I still needed to work on my singing. It’s always a challenge singing live. You can’t hear yourself very well on stage. When I was singing with the People Movers at the Cargo Bar at the San Diego Hilton in 1980, no one thought I’d be the next lead singer for Chicago. But here I was — I had the job. I knew it was time to get to work.”
Hitting the ground running, Scheff joined the band just in time to record Chicago 18, an album that eventually produced three hits sung by this young musician, who had gone from virtual obscurity to co-lead singer of an iconic American rock band almost overnight. On the subsequent tour, he quickly became known as the guy whose voice sounded uncannily like Cetera’s. But he didn’t mind, because he was also given an immediate opportunity to write and sing his own songs.
In the 24 years since that fateful audition, Scheff has earned fame and fortune with Chicago, touring the world many times over and singing numerous hits, the biggest and arguably best being “Will You Still Love Me?” The David Foster-produced, piano-based power ballad has a catchy chorus that features Scheff’s distinctive high vocal (“I can’t go on ... if I’m on my own”). It’s the recording that made him feel like a full-fledged member rather than a Cetera imitator.
“That one was special for me,” says Scheff. He adds that while some diehard fans of Chicago’s original incarnation, which met and formed in the city of Chicago in the 1960s, still see him as the “new guy” after all these years, most embraced him from the beginning, and the band members “welcomed me warmly into the Chicago family from day one.”
Scheff, who turns 47 in April, grew up in Point Loma and attended Dana Junior High School and Point Loma High School. A surfer who hung out with friends near the Ocean Beach Pier, he was always a music fan — everyone from Elton John to Earth, Wind & Fire to, yes, Chicago, though “not obsessively.” He started playing bass at 14 and got his first gig that same year.
“I was never a real fashionable musician or musical figure in the San Diego music scene,” he says. “I was always in bands that were a little different and weird. In my junior high and high school, surf bands were big, but I was into [jazz fusion band] Weather Report, funk and R&B. I left San Diego rather quietly to make my way in the music business.”
Taking after his father, Jerry, a studio musician who played bass for Elvis Presley and recorded with such artists as Bob Dylan, the Everly Brothers and the Doors, Scheff is now a musician-in-residence at Nashville’s infamous Sound Kitchen music studio, where he mentors young musicians. And he’s still in the band that has given him a life most musicians only dream about. He returns to San Diego often, but while one might think the front man for one of the most popular bands in the world would be the recipient of at least some fanfare when he plays in his hometown, Scheff says that’s not the case.
“I’ve never gotten that much press or attention in my hometown, but I don’t mind,” he says. “When we play in San Diego it’s just great to see old friends, and it always feels like I’m playing again at the Red Brick Church, on Voltaire Street. That’s where my very first gigs were as a kid. When we played at Humphrey’s a few years ago, I told the crowd it was great to be home, and pointed to the area where I grew up. You can almost see it from the stage.”
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Reader Comments:
This is a great story... If anyone would like to know, Jason's website is www.scheffland.com - you can connect with Jason there.
Thanks again,
Lauren
http://www.scheffmusic.com
Great story about an amazing musician and a great guy as well who shows no ego.An amazing Bass Player,Songwriter and a Singer who sings with his heart and soul and he can also play the Piano and Keyboards too.Thanks for sharing this with us and recognizing this great musician.
Thank you San Diego Magazine for a great article. Jason is an awesome musician with a true, God-given talent...his voice blows me away every time I hear him live. Just spot on. And I'm not easily impressed, either. I am not one to hang out on fan sites, but I am a proud member of Scheffland. He's a man of integrity, a genuine down to earth guy, and he's doing great things not only in the music world, but for his family, friends, and fans.
Kelli Bosarge
www.ugottafriend.com
Thank you San Diego Magazine for this great article on Jason.
He makes you feel comfortable talking with him and gives his all to his fans. Besides being an awesome motivational fitness coach, he is a talented musician I admire, I love this guy!!!
thank you!
roseanna from dallas texas
I always enjoy reading articles about someone I know, and in this case, Jason is one of my four amazing sons, all from Pt. Loma. Two of my sons (Todd and Lauren) still live in this gorgeous city and Jason and Darin reside in Tennessee and so do I.
To have a steady job in the music business for over twenty years with a phenomenal band, is not only a miracle, but has introduced Jason to the world and the many cultures within it. He has met thousands of people from the President of the United States (Bill Clinton) to other world-wide dignitaries. Communicating with his fans on a personal level at www.scheffland.com, is something he does almost on a daily basis. He also has a podcast, frequently, while on the road.
In the 70's (wow, it's been that long?) I put a band together so Jason could see what it was like to play in front of an audience. He was fourteen. We went on "tour" (ha ha) to Idaho and the guitarist (Jerry Olsher) drove his van to the gig. Lots of driving. Jason, however, a novice (and soon to be frequent flyer) was flown in by the hotel manager. The night we opened, I encouraged him to sing a song for the group of girls that were swooning over him and he said, "But Mother, I'm just a bass player." I brought to mind he knew an Elton John song, so he sang it. After it was over the girls came up and wanted to take him out to lunch, ride in their cars or just spend some time with them. He looked at me and said, "Mother, name some other songs." He's been singing ever since.
Jason is married with four children.
Linda Roberts
Columnist/Author
Thanks Jason for all your contributions with the Band.You've more than proven yourself.I've seen the Band about 35 times over the years,and your pressence is an obvious treat.Jason your a great musician with the vocals needed for this underated band.I never could understand how many times Chicago has been passed over for other (let's say mild talent).When you guy's take the stage and begin your set of timeless music,I'm close to tears at times.I'm sure politics play a role in every facet of life.Jason there are people out here who see past these politics.I understand you've worked with RASCAL FLATTS-any recordings gonna be released?It would be a thrill to hear back from you!THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHICAGO!!
Jason,
Congratulations on your huge success. Do you remember playing for the M&M's band in San Diego? Mitch, Gary,Pat and James? Just remember that we are still your greatest fans. We opended each gig with the Chicago song, "Only the Beginning".
God Bless You!
Gary Steele
What,s up big Jason ? It,s your homeboy Joe Bond . Man I am so proud of you !! I have so many memories and stories about you and Nathan East, Ed Graves, Mike Kennedy ,People movers, Hilton, The Olshers ETC. I would be on this computer forever !!! Any way, just giving you a great big shout out !! The last time I saw you was in 1990 , I was dating a lady who worked at Warner Bros. It was back stage at a Bela Fleck and Take 6 concert at the Wiltern . I,ll never forget ,you introduced me to Victor Wooten and Ricky Minor !!! I had just moved to L.A. and boy I thought I WAS BIG TIME !!! Im still playing bass here in L.A. Im married with 3 girls and Joe the 2nd. Take care my brother , hope to see you soon !!! And dont forget, KEARNY HIGH BASS PLAYERS, ED, LAMON DAVIS,CALVIN BOYD ,JOE SAN NICOLAS,WE STILL KICK PT. LOMAS BUTTS !!! LOVE YOU JAS. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ,SINCERLY ,JOE-L BOND I. P.S CHICAGO IS STILL A COLD ASS BAND !!!! PEACE OUT.
This is a fantastic article about an amazing musician and caring human being, Jason Scheff. Every time I hear his voice, he brightens up my day and night. I'm so happy I got to meet and talk with him when Chicago did Europe last year.( Paris, 2008).
I treasure that night. I admire his way of communicating with his fans, his effort to lead a healthy life and helping others to do also and his being ALWAYS thankful for all the 'little' things in life. He writes beautiful BLOGS, he should write a book.
I just love this guy!
Ingrid Franke, The Netherlands.
www.facebook.com/ingridfranke