The Melody That Called Him

In the haze of 1970s San Diego, a young Jason Scheff sat in his father’s recording studio, surrounded by the pulse of basslines and the hum of creativity. Music wasn’t just a backdrop—it was his destiny. Born into a family where rhythm ran deep, Scheff’s primary motivator to pursue music was his father, Jerry Scheff, the legendary bassist for Elvis Presley. Watching his dad lay down tracks for icons like The Doors and Bob Dylan, Jason felt an unshakable pull. “I saw how music could move people,” he later recalled, “and I wanted to be part of that magic.” By his teens, he was singing, playing bass, and writing songs, driven by a hunger to carve his own path in a world his father had helped shape.

A Life Steeped in Sound

Jason Randolph Scheff was born on April 16, 1962, in San Diego, California. Growing up in a musical household, he was immersed in the industry from an early age. His father, Jerry, was a sought-after session bassist, whose work on Elvis’s “Suspicious Minds” and The Doors’ L.A. Woman made him a rock royalty fixture. Jason’s mother, Diane, a photographer, nurtured his creative spirit, while his older brother, Lauren, pursued music too, though less publicly. Jason picked up the bass guitar as a child, mimicking his father’s fluid style, but it was his voice—clear, soulful, and remarkably similar to Peter Cetera’s—that set him apart.

By his teens, Scheff was gigging in San Diego clubs, fronting local bands and honing his songwriting. He studied at San Diego State University briefly but dropped out to chase music full-time. In the early 1980s, he moved to Los Angeles, where he landed session work and caught the attention of industry heavyweights. His big break came in 1985 when, at just 23, he auditioned for Chicago, the rock-jazz juggernaut looking to replace their departing frontman, Peter Cetera. Scheff’s vocal range and bass prowess won over the band, and he stepped into one of rock’s most daunting roles, carrying Chicago into a new era.

A Career of High Notes and Heart

Bands and Collaborations

Jason Scheff’s career is synonymous with Chicago, where he served as lead vocalist and bassist from 1985 to 2016, making him one of the band’s longest-serving members. Before Chicago, he played in short-lived San Diego bands like Montage and Southern Lights, which never gained traction but sharpened his stage presence. Post-Chicago, Scheff formed Generation, a project with his son Jaden, and collaborated with artists like Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts on side projects. He also joined Earth, Wind & Fire Experience for select performances, blending his voice with their funk-soul legacy.

Bandmates of His Most Popular Band

During Scheff’s tenure with Chicago, the band’s lineup evolved, but the core members of their late-1980s/1990s hit-making era included:

• Robert Lamm (keyboards, vocals): A founding member whose jazz-rock vision shaped Chicago’s sound.
• Lee Loughnane (trumpet, vocals): A horn section stalwart who anchored the band’s signature brass.
• James Pankow (trombone): The arranger behind many of Chicago’s orchestral flourishes.
• Walter Parazaider (saxophone): Another original member, whose woodwinds added soulful depth.
• Bill Champlin (keyboards, vocals): A co-vocalist until 2008, whose gritty voice complemented Scheff’s.

Later additions like drummer Tris Imboden and guitarist Keith Howland rounded out the lineup during Scheff’s peak years.

Relationships and Media Appearances

Scheff’s personal life has been relatively private, though his marriages have occasionally made news. He wed Tracy Yarro in the 1980s, with whom he has two sons, Jaden and Jason Jr., both musicians. After their divorce, he married Katrina Sarkissian in 2002, and they have a daughter, Sienna. His friendship with Peter Cetera has been a media talking point; despite replacing Cetera, Scheff maintained a respectful rapport, even performing with him at a 2017 Chicago reunion event.

Scheff’s media appearances lean toward music-focused platforms. He’s guested on The Tonight Show and Late Night with David Letterman with Chicago, performing hits like “Will You Still Love Me?” In 2013, he appeared in the documentary Now More Than Ever: The History of Chicago, sharing candid insights about joining the band. He’s also a frequent guest on music podcasts like The Big Interview with Dan Rather, discussing his Elvis connections and Chicago’s legacy. In 2022, he performed at the NASCAR All-Star Race, singing “Sweet Home Chicago” to a roaring crowd.

Awards and Honors

Scheff’s accolades are tied to Chicago’s collective success. The band won a Grammy Award in 1976 for “If You Leave Me Now” (pre-Scheff), but during his tenure, they earned nominations for songs like “Look Away” (1988). Chicago was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, with Scheff proudly accepting alongside his bandmates, though he left the band shortly after. The band also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, recognizing their enduring impact, including Scheff’s contributions. Individually, Scheff hasn’t pursued solo awards, but his role in Chicago’s chart-topping run speaks volumes.

Biggest Songs

• “Will You Still Love Me?” (1986): Written by David Foster, Tom Keane, and Richard Baskin, this power ballad hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing Scheff’s soaring vocals.
• “Look Away” (1988): Penned by Diane Warren, this heartbreak anthem topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Chicago’s biggest hit of the decade.
• “What Kind of Man Would I Be?” (1989): Written by Jason Scheff, Chas Sandford, and Bobby Caldwell, it reached No. 5, blending rock and soul.
• “I Don’t Wanna Live Without Your Love” (1988): Crafted by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, this track hit No. 3, cementing Scheff’s vocal legacy.

Controversies

Scheff’s career has been relatively scandal-free, but his departure from Chicago in 2016 sparked debate among fans. After 31 years, he was replaced by Jeff Coffey, with the band citing “family reasons” for his exit. Some speculated tension within the group, as Scheff had been a vocal advocate for new material while others leaned on nostalgia. In a 2017 interview, he expressed disappointment, saying, “I gave my heart to that band, but change happens.” Fans rallied behind him, launching online petitions for his return. In 2018, Scheff rejoined Chicago briefly for select shows, quelling rumors of bad blood. His father’s association with Elvis also drew scrutiny in 2022, when Scheff defended Jerry’s legacy against claims in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis film that downplayed the bassist’s role, calling it “Hollywood exaggeration.”

A Night of Nostalgia: The 1987 Japan Tour

One performance encapsulates Scheff’s magic: Chicago’s 1987 Japan tour, captured on Live in Japan. At Tokyo’s Budokan, Scheff stepped into Cetera’s shoes with fearless charisma, belting “Will You Still Love Me?” to a sea of 15,000 fans. The crowd, known for reserved politeness, erupted, waving glowsticks as Scheff’s voice soared over the horn section’s punch. Backstage, he later shared, he felt “like I’d finally proven I belonged.” The show was a turning point, silencing critics who doubted a 24-year-old could fill Cetera’s role. Broadcast on Japanese television, it remains a fan favorite, with bootlegs still circulating among collectors. That night, Scheff wasn’t just a replacement—he was Chicago’s future.

Legacy and Looking Forward

Jason Scheff’s 31 years with Chicago redefined the band’s sound, blending their jazz-rock roots with 1980s pop sheen. His vocals powered nine Top 40 hits, and his basslines kept the rhythm tight. Since leaving Chicago, he’s focused on solo work, releasing Here I Am in 2019, and mentoring young artists like his son Jaden. At 62, Scheff tours with Generation and joins Chicago for occasional gigs, his voice still a dead ringer for the hits that defined an era. His motivator—capturing music’s magic—continues to drive him, proving that a kid from San Diego could shine as brightly as the legends he grew up watching.