Jeff Porcaro
The greatest .....
Jeff was born on April 1, 1954, in Hartford, Connecticut, the eldest son of a Los Angeles session percussionist Joe Porcaro. His brothers Mike Porcaro and Steve Porcaro are both still active session musicians. He also has a younger sister, Joleen.
On October 22, 1983, Jeff married Susan Norris, a Los Angeles television newscaster. They had three sons, Christopher Joseph (born July 3, 1984), Miles Edwin Crawford (born June 12, 1986), and Nico Hendrix (born December 26, 1991).
Jeff began playing at the age of seven. Lessons came from his father Joe Porcaro, followed by further studies with Bob Zimmitti and Rich Lapore. From the very start of his career, Jeff was viewed as one of the music industry's top drummers, possessing an impeccable sense of rhythm as well as a versatility that bridged virtually every style.
Jeff was no stranger to the L.A. music scene growing up and, when he was just seventeen, he got his first professional gig playing in Sonny and Cher's touring band. From there he went on to play on several Steely Dan albums before co-founding Toto with childhood friends Steve Lukather and David Paich.
Jeff is thought of today as one of the most innovative drummers of his generation, and an example to other musicians who seek to absorb and blend a wide array of musical styles. Besides his work with Toto, he also performed with artists such as Bee Gees, Sonny and Cher, Paul McCartney, Willy DeVille, Steely Dan, Jackson Browne, Donald Fagen, Ricki Lee Jones, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Bonnie Raitt, Dire Straits, Mark Knopfler, Pink Floyd, David Gilmour, Boz Scaggs, Roger Waters, Paul Anka, Eric Clapton, The B-52's, Joe Walsh, Lionel Richie, Earth, Wind & Fire, Burton Cummings and Bruce Springsteen, Larry Carlton. He also had connections to Van Halen.
Richard Marx dedicated the song "One Man" to him and said Jeff was the best drummer he had ever worked with.
Jeff Porcaro suffered a fatal and unexpected heart attack on August 5, 1992 at the age of 38. He was using a pesticide in his yard and an allergic reaction to the substance triggered the attack. An autopsy revealed a serious heart condition that had been previously undiagnosed.
Jeff's funeral, attended by an estimated 1,500 people, was held August 10 in the Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery, where he was buried. The Jeff Porcaro Memorial Fund was established to benefit the music and art departments of Grant High School in Los Angeles where Jeff was a student in the early 1970s. It also provides four scholarships each year to Grant High School seniors. A memorial concert took place at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles on December 14, with an all-star line up that included Boz Scaggs, Donald Fagen, Don Henley, Michael McDonald, George Harrison, Eddie Van Halen, and, of course, Toto. The proceeds of the concert were used to establish an educational trust fund for Jeff's sons.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Susan, sons, Christopher, Miles, and Nico, parents Joe and Eileen, brothers Mike and Steve, and sister Joleen.
You can read more about Jeff Porcaro and his work at these brilliant websites:
http://jeffporcaro.net/ http://www.frontiernet.net/~cybraria/ http://www.toto99.com/jeff/tribute.shtml http://jeffporcaro.blogspot.com/ http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Jeff_Porcaro.html
Tribute Concert For Jeff Porcaro -
We Never Be Over You
"Tribute concert to Jeff, Nov 14, 1992"
The Tracks are: CD1: Gypsy Train, Childs Anthem, Iīll Supply The Love, Iīll Be Over You, TakinīIt To The Streets, Home Of The Brave, David Paich Solo, Georgy Porgy, 99, If Itīs The Last Night, Angela, I Wonīt Hold You Back & Africa. CD2: Chain Lightning, Josie (incl. Drum Solo), Little Wing, Kingdom Of Desire, Jake To The Bone, I Wonder Who, One For The Road, Angel Donīt Cry, Donīt Chain My Heart & Rosanna. CD3: Dirty Laundry, You Better Hang Up, Iīm With You Rain Or Shine, Let Me Stand Next To Your Fire, Ainīt TalkinīBout Love, Hold The Line & With A Little Help For My Friends.
Musicians on the We Never Be Over You album: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Mike Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Chris Trujillo, Jenny Douglas-McRae, Donna McDaniels, John Jessel James, Lenny Castro, Michael McDonald, David Crosby, Denny Dias, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen and others.
Available from Shout To The Top/Original release year: 1992
Various Artists -
Jeff Porcaro - Tribute Concert
"The tribute concert with other tracks"
The Tracks are: CD1: Intro, Gypsy Train, Childs Anthem, Iīll Supply The Love, Iīll Be Over You, I Keep Forgettinī, TakinīIt To The Streets, Home Of The Brave, David Paich Solo, Georgy Porgy, 99, If Itīs The Last Night, Angela, I Wonīt Hold You Back, Donīt Stop Me Now, Africa & Percussion Solo. CD2: Intro, Chain Lightning, Josie, Drum Solo, Little Wing, Kingdom Of Desire, Jake To The Bone, Low Down, Lido Shuffle, Angel Donīt Cry, Donīt Chain My Heart & Rosanna. CD3: Intro, Dirty Laundry, You Better Hang Up, Iīm With You Rain Or Shine, Let Me Stand Next To Your Fire, Ainīt TalkinīBout Love, Hold The Line, Steve Lukather Interview (German Radio) & The Seventh One (Bonus Track).
Musicians on the Jeff Porcaro Tribute Concert album: Steve Lukather, David Paich, Mike Porcaro, Simon Phillips, Chris Trujillo, Jenny Douglas-McRae, Donna McDaniels, John JesselJames, Lenny Castro, Michael McDonald, David Crosby, Denny Dias, Donald Fagen, Boz Scaggs, Don Henley, Eddie Van Halen and others.
Available from Private Label/Original release year: 1992
Toto -
Tribute to Jeff Porcaro
"Italian tribute release"
The Tracks are: CD1: Gipsy Train, Never Enough, Childīs Anthem, Iīll Supply The Love, Iīll Be Over You, How Many Times, Georgy Porgy, 99, If Itīs The Last Night, Angela & I Wonīt Hold You Back. CD2: Africa, Kingdom Of Desire, Jake To The Bone, Donīt Chain My Heart, I Canīt Stop Loving You, Rosanna & With A Little Help From My Friends.
Musicians on the Tribute to Jeff Porcaro album: Toto and others.
Available from On Stage Records/Original release year: 1994
David Garfield And Friends -
Tribute To Jeff
"In Memory of Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro 4/1/54-8/5/92, We miss you"
The Tracks are: E Minor Shuffle, Letīs Stay Together, Twenty-One Drum Salute, Lowdown, If Six Was Nine, Bagīs Groove, My Heart Wants To Know, It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, Babylon Sisters, Stuffy, Jeffīs Strut, Big Bone & Long Time No Groove.
Musicians on the Tribute To Jeff album: David Garfield, Joe Porcaro, David Sanborn, Michael McDonald, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton, David Pack, Richard Marx, Bill Champlin, Paul Barrere, Gregg Bisonette, Michael Boddicker, Paulette Browne, Lenny Castro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Luis Conte, Denny Diaz, Chuck Domanico, Nathan East, Luis Enrique, Peter Erskine, John Ferrro, Steve Ferrone, Brandon Fields, Mike Finnegan, Walt Fowler, Steve Gadd, John Guerin, Jimmy Haslip, Richie Hayward, Don Henley, Jerry Hey, James Newton Howard, Ralph Humprey, David Hungate, Tris Imboden, Paul Jackson Jr. , Abe Laboriels Sr., Mchael Landau, Will Lee, Steve Lukather, David Paich, John Pena, Gregg Philliganes, Simon Philips, Miles Porcaro, Chris Porcaro, Nico Porcaro, Joe Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Chase Porcaro Duddy, Bernard Purdie, Emil Richards, Joe Sample, Michito Sanchez, Boz Scaggs, Jason Scheff, Tom Scott, Bob Sheppard, Lee Sklar, Neil Stubenhaus, Fred Tackett, Benmont Tench, Chris Trujillo, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Vega, David T.J. Walker, Freddy Washington, Dave Weckl, David Williams & Joseph Williams.
Available from Sweeca Pony Canyon/Original release year: 1997
David Garfield And Friends -
Tribute To Jeff
"Revisited and 2 new track of the legendary album"
The Tracks are: E Minor Shuffle, Letīs Stay Together, Twenty-One Drum Salute, Lowdown, If Six Was Nine, Bagīs Groove, My Heart Wants To Know, It Takes A Lot To Laugh It Takes A Train To Cry, Babylon Sisters, Stuffy, Jeffīs Strut, Big Bone, Long Time No Groove, My Late Mate Nate (Studio Jam) & Lowdown (Alternate Mix).
Musicians on the Tribute To Jeff album: David Garfield, Joe Porcaro, David Sanborn, Michael McDonald, Jay Graydon, Larry Carlton, David Pack, Richard Marx, Bill Champlin, Paul Barrere, Gregg Bisonette, Michael Boddicker, Paulette Browne, Lenny Castro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Luis Conte, Denny Diaz, Chuck Domanico, Nathan East, Luis Enrique, Peter Erskine, John Ferrro, Steve Ferrone, Brandon Fields, Mike Finnegan, Walt Fowler, Steve Gadd, John Guerin, Jimmy Haslip, Richie Hayward, Don Henley, Jerry Hey, James Newton Howard, Ralph Humprey, David Hungate, Tris Imboden, Paul Jackson Jr. , Abe Laboriels Sr., Mchael Landau, Will Lee, Steve Lukather, David Paich, John Pena, Gregg Philliganes, Simon Philips, Miles Porcaro, Chris Porcaro, Nico Porcaro, Joe Porcaro, Steve Porcaro, Mike Porcaro, Chase Porcaro Duddy, Bernard Purdie, Emil Richards, Joe Sample, Michito Sanchez, Boz Scaggs, Jason Scheff, Tom Scott, Bob Sheppard, Lee Sklar, Neil Stubenhaus, Fred Tackett, Benmont Tench, Chris Trujillo, Eddie Van Halen, Carlos Vega, David T.J. Walker, Freddy Washington, Dave Weckl, David Williams & Joseph Williams.
Available from Creatchy Records/Original release year: 2005
Jeff Porcaro -
Session Works
"A collection of great Porcaro grooves"
The Tracks are: Moodid, Low Down, I Don't Want You Anymore, Wait, Drived A Crooked Road, Human Touch, Paradise, Africa, I Found Love, It's Over, Human Nature, Stranger In Paradise, Confide In Me, Come Closer, Isn't She Lovely, When A Man Love A Woman & Home Of The Brave.
Musicians on the Session Works album: Jeff Porcaro, Toto, Boz Scaggs, Bill Champlin, Jacksons, Steve Lukather, Bruce Springsteen, Herbie Hancock, Denice Williams, Michael Jackson, Dwayne Ford, The Manhattan Transfer, Tom Scott, Lee Ritenour, Michael Bolton and others.
Available from Sony Music/Original release year: 2008
Back to A Closer Look press here
