Remembering Mr. Groove

[PocketPlayer]

Sadly belated here, but in memory of Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro--April 1, 1954 - August 5, 1992



This little piece of Jeff struck me...
When discussing his achievement in music Jeff acknowledges "the environment and encouragement that was there in my family." An average Sunday would find the Porcaro kids -- Jeff, Steve, and Mike -- gathered in the family room, drum sticks in hand, reverberating in cadence.
"As far back as I can remember," says Jeff, "I wanted to be a musician. The players I listened to as a kid were studio players, and in my opinion some of the best all-around musicians happening. I remember hearing my uncle Emil Richards playing micro-tonal music with the Harry Partch Orchestra. I'm very thankful for that environment and for the experience of hearing so many talented players.
"It was Jimi Hendrix," says Jeff, "who was then, and continues to be, my greatest influence -- both musically and spiritually. It's difficult to put into words the magic and majesty I feel in his playing. He remains a vital force, as influential on his instrument as was John Coltrane on sax. It's funny, people have yet to really equal either man." With a sense of sadness in his voice Jeff continues, "I'm sure if he had lived I would have had the opportunity to play drums with him. We'll never know what kinds of things he could have done had he lived."






http://jeffporcaro.blogspot.com

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ August 11, 2004 08:26 PM: Message edited by: PocketPlayer ]</font>

[likedachuch]

well noted, pocket. thanks for reminding us of the anniversary. wow has it really been 12 years?

[img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img]

[Klemme]

The greatest loss on Earth, the Greatest gift to Heaven. - I don't know who said that, but i got very emotional about that quote, because it's just so right.

His drumming has a common language everyone in the audience understands. His fills is so musical, maybe not complex, but the heart and love and hope he put into his playing... man.... We are truly blessed having him on so many records.

Maybe a good idea is to bring up some anekdotes about Jeff?

This is not entirely about Jeff, but about me at a clinic at a very young age about 6 or 7 years old, only knew one foreign drummer, and that was Jeff. And the man clinicing was the TOP drummer Ross McKennan. It was like a year after Jeff Died, and he was talking about if we ( the crowd ) had been to other clinics. I weren't aware of that, because my i only have had english lessons for a year. Then the crowd started shouting names, like . Rick Marotta, Vinnie Colaiuta and alot of Dane drummers too. But then i thought they were talking about influental drummers, and I then with my best pronounciation, shouted "Jeff Porcaro" and the crowd just went in complete silence and Ross McKennan became very emotional, and he was pretty aware of me not being old enough to ever had attended a clinic by Jeff ( if he ever did any ). But it seemed he was deeply touched by the respect and acknowledgement Jeff had on the other side of earth, when Jeff Mostly was doing stuff in California area.

And probably for about 20minutes he just talked about his personal experiences with Jeff etc. and showed us some technique exercises Jeff were doing etc. it became like a Jeff Worthship clinic after that. Even though i didn't understand a thing, my dad told me that i completely changed the topic of the clinic and the tone of the crowd by just mentioning two words; Jeff Porcaro.

Jeff Porcaro will allways be my truly favorite, i may listen more to Vinnie, Donati etc. but when i put on Little Wing from the Los Tombomys live album It's just different, the pocket, the magic, the Porcaro legacy put into the rythym.

Miss him deeply.

[PocketPlayer]

WOW! Deep story Klemme. Stories (memories) keep people alive! How many "Jeff Stories" are out there? Add your favorite player in there. It's like mining for gold!

After Jeff's funeral, I went to a Weckl clinic and Dave took several minutes in tribute, playing some Porcaro signature grooves.

Seeing Joe Porcaro play live locally here in LA with his grandson (Jeff's nephew) in attendance, setting up gramp's kit for the evening, and hearing him talk about his uncle really adds an element of humanity to the man, knowing most of see him as "Jeff, Mr. Groove!"