TCB Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1969 |
| Founder | James Burton |
| Headquarters | Memphis , United States |
| Products | Music, live performances |
The TCB Band served as the fundamental rhythm ensemble for Elvis Presley from August 1969 until his passing in 1977. The acronym TCB means Taking Care of Business, reflecting Presley's personal motto that he embraced in the early 1970s. The original lineup featured James Burton on lead guitar, Jerry Scheff handling bass duties, John Wilkinson on rhythm guitar, Larry Muhoberac playing keyboards, and Ron Tutt on drums. Their first live performance took place during Presley's debut Las Vegas engagement at the International Hotel on July 31, 1969.
History
After his 1968 television comeback special, Presley revamped his backing band, replacing original members such as Scotty Moore, D.J. Fontana, and the late Bill Black. His initial recruitment was guitarist James Burton, renowned for his work with Ricky Nelson and various Nashville and Los Angeles session recordings, to establish the new group. When keyboardist Glen D. Hardin initially declined, Larry Muhoberac stepped in on keys. Burton then enlisted Jerry Scheff on bass and John Wilkinson on rhythm guitar; Muhoberac recommended Ron Tutt for the drummer position. By February 1970, Glen D. Hardin took over keyboard responsibilities from Muhoberac, who returned to studio sessions in Los Angeles. Drummer Bob Lanning briefly replaced Tutt before Tutt resumed his role by July.
In 1975, Burton, Tutt, and Muhoberac collaborated with Johnny Cash on his album John R. Cash. Prior to Presley's death in 1977, several members of the TCB Band—including Burton, Hardin, Emory Gordy Jr., and Scheff—became key players in Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and later performed with John Denver. Burton departed from the Hot Band in early 1976 to concentrate exclusively on Presley; Hardin also exited the TCB Band that year to dedicate himself full-time to Harris's band and was succeeded by producer Tony Brown. During 1976–77 performances, Nashville session drummer Larrie Londin occasionally substituted for Tutt.
Tours with other musicians: After the TCB Band disbanded
Before Elvis Presley's death in 1977, several former TCB Band members became part of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band and John Denver's ensemble, including James Burton, Glen D. Hardin, Emory Gordy Jr., and Jerry Scheff. Burton left the Hot Band in 1976 and was replaced by English guitarist Albert Lee. Contrary to some reports, Scheff was never a member of the Hot Band. Gordy departed from John Denver's band in 1980 (making brief returns in 1989 and 1991) and was succeeded by Scheff. Burton, Hardin, and Scheff remained with Denver until early 1994.
Following his tenure with the Jerry Garcia Band, Ron Tutt became Neil Diamond's regular concert and studio drummer. Tutt’s signature drumming style from his TCB Band days became a defining feature of Diamond’s live performances, notably on "Holly Holy." He continued recording and touring with Diamond until Diamond retired due to Parkinson’s disease. Additionally, Tutt contributed to multiple Nancy Sinatra recordings.
Reunions (1979, 1981, 1987, 1997–present)
In 1979, the TCB Band reunited to produce an album featuring Elvis Presley cover songs as a tribute. Two years later, in 1981, they supported Tony Sheridan alongside Klaus Voormann for further recordings of Presley material.
July 1987 saw Burton, Hardin, Tutt, and Scheff come together for the British television special Love Me Tender: A Tribute to the Music of Elvis Presley, where they accompanied Roger Daltrey and Carl Perkins. That same year they also backed Roy Orbison for his TV special and live album titled Roy Orbison and Friends, A Black and White Night.
The classic lineup regrouped in 1997 for Elvis: The Concert, with John Wilkinson rejoining for the 25th anniversary event held in Memphis. Since then, they have frequently toured under various configurations including annual appearances during Elvis Week organized by EPE and Graceland. The band has also supported UK vocalist Jenson Bloomer and Austrian artist Dennis Jale—primarily performing Presley’s repertoire—and collaborated with Greg Page of The Wiggles on solo projects.
After the 30th anniversary concert in 2007, Scheff departed from the group; Norbert Putnam and Nathan East filled bass duties during tours until their exits in 2013. John Wilkinson passed away from cancer in January 2013. The TCB Band continues to tour alongside Dennis Jale.
In 2019, the band presented a new Elvis: The Concert-style production featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra that combined elements from earlier Presley/Philharmonic collaborations along with previous TCB Band tours; however, no additional dates were scheduled afterward. During Elvis Week that year, Burton, Hardin, and Tutt performed with other veterans from Presley's touring ensemble of the 1970s.
The latest known appearance of the TCB Band occurred at Elvis Week in August 2022 when Scheff reunited with Hardin for two events: "All the King's Men," a jam session combined with storytelling featuring drummer Gene Chrisman of the Memphis Boys; and a virtual Elvis Presley In Concert show concluding the festival. This latter event also included Terry Blackwood (The Imperials) and Larry Strickland (J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet). Both Hardin and Scheff participated in a "Conversations on Elvis" panel discussing their experiences working with Presley. Although Burton was slated to join these events, health issues including COVID-19 prevented his participation.
Current
- James Burton — lead guitarist (1969–1977, 1979, 1981, 1987, 1997–present); also provided vocals in 1979
- Glen D. Hardin — piano and keyboard player (1970–1976, 1979, 1981, 1987, 1997–present)
Former
- John Wilkinson — rhythm guitarist (1969–1977, August 16, 2002; deceased 2013)
- Jerry Scheff — bassist and double bassist (1969–1973, 1975–1977, 1979, 1987, 1997–2011, 2022)
- Larry Muhoberac — keyboardist and pianist including electric piano (1969; passed away 2016)
- Ronnie Tutt — drummer (1969–1977, 1979, 1981, 1987, 1997–2021); also vocals in 1979 (deceased 2021)
- Bob Lanning — drummer during 1970
- Eddie Graham — percussionist (1970–1971)
- Jerome 'Stump' Monroe — drummer (1971, 1975; June 24, 1977)
- Emory Gordy Jr. – bass guitar, rhythm guitar, and keyboards (1973, 1979, 1981)
- Duke Bardwell — bass player (1974–1975)
- David Briggs — electric piano, clavinet, piano (1975–1977; deceased 2025)
- Shane Keister — piano and Moog synthesizer (1976)
- Tony Brown — piano and organ (1976–1977)
- Larrie Londin — drummer (March 1976, June 25–26, 1977; deceased 1992)
- Bobby Ogdin — electric piano, clavinet, piano (1977)
- Tony Smith — rhythm guitarist (1997–2007)
- Norbert Putnam — bass guitarist (2009–2013)
Recurring guests
- Nathan East — bass guitar (2009–2013)
- Paul Leim – drummer (2021-present; occasionally served as substitute or additional drummer alongside Ronnie Tutt from 1997 to 2012)
Timeline
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Studio album
- The TCB Band (recorded in 1978; remained unreleased until it surfaced unofficially)
- "Mystery Train" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Hound Dog" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "That's Alright Mama" (lead vocals by James)
- "Jailhouse Rock" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Suspicious Minds" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Burnin' Love" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Love Me" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Little Sister" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
- "Heartbreak Hotel" (lead vocals by James)
- "Can't Help Falling in Love" (lead vocals by Ronnie)
With Elvis Presley
Members of the band played on numerous Elvis Presley studio albums and soundtracks, including:
- From Memphis to Vegas / From Vegas to Memphis (1969)
- On Stage (1970)
- That's the Way It Is (1970)
- As Recorded at Madison Square Garden (1972)
- Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite (1973)
- Elvis Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis (1974)
- Today (1975)
- From Elvis Presley Boulevard, Memphis, Tennessee (1976)
- Moody Blue (1977)
- Elvis In Concert (1977)
- Elvis Aron Presley (box set) (1980)
- The Alternate Aloha (1988)
- An Afternoon in the Garden (1997)
- Live 1969 (box set) (2019)
- Elvis on Tour (box set) (2022/2023)
With others
The band’s members have also worked alongside various other artists on multiple projects:
- Tony Sheridan and The Elvis Presley TCB Band (featuring Tony Sheridan, 1981)
- "Sedona" (collaboration with Donna Loren, 1982)
- A Black and White Night Live (with Roy Orbison and Friends, 1989)
- One Night of Sin (alongside Big Fat Snake and The Sweet Inspirations, 2003)
- Taking Care of Country (with Greg Page, 2005)
- Aloha from Sweden (featuring Maarten Jensen and The Sweet Inspirations, 2006)
- Nashville (with Dennis Jale, 2010)
- Let It Be Me (collaborating with Greg Page, 2012)
- Live at the Metropol (with Dennis Jale and Terry Blackwood's Imperials, 2019)
- "What's Going On" (with Dennis Jale and Friends, 2022)