Tony Franklin • When Jimmy Page & I Met Jaco Pastorius
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- Опубліковано 27 кві 2024
- Recalling fond memories of meeting Jaco Pastorius in 1985 in New York City. I was on the road with The Firm at the time. Jimmy Page jammed with Jaco that night. Magical and slightly surreal memories!
Saw Jaco on Weather Report's Birdland tour @ the Uptown in KC. At the beginning of his long solo he doodled for a couple of minutes then walked over to these two side by side slave heads that had 2 big knobs each, & while holding a note with his left hand, in one sweeping motion wiped those 4 knobs all the way full. You not only heard it you felt it intensely. Then he proceeded to do his magic on the most incredible solo! So honored to have experienced that.
Amazing! That was him in his prime. So innovative and creative. A visionary and a force of nature 🔥
What a Brilliant Story, Tony! Asking Jaco, if you could play his Bass! Brilliant!😂 Amazing you were only 23, at the time, and fully accomplished! What a Career! I wish you Many More Years of Success! I'm glad UA-cam exists, where we can go and hear these types of stories nearly 40 years on! Cheers!
Great. Thanks for that.
Yes UA-cam and other outlets are really good for this stuff. There’s some amazing content on here. 🙏🏻🤩
I saw The Firm in 85 in CT then 86 at Meadowlands. I met you Tony in 89(89) Blue Murder in Poughkeepsie NY- lol you guys were at a Pizza Place and you took the time to talk to fans after playing video games.. Can't wait for the book. Some of your Roy Harper appearance have made their way onto CD unofficially titled " Transmission Impossible- Jimmy Page". Thanks for the info- I have it on cassette!
Jaco was untouchable. Unmatched innovator.
For sure.
@@FretlessMonster Not to take away from your own genius and mastery of the instrument Tony, and not to mention Perfect Hair back in the day too!!!
Thank you for recalling that night for us Tony! Jaco was truly spectacular! I saw you twice with The Firm and you blew me away! I think you are an amazing and very underrated musician!!
Truly appreciate that. It was fun to recall that occasion
Absolutely loved this deep empathy story about Jaco , his magic comes through in your words about him. Thank you so much for sharing
Truly appreciate that ❤️
I agree I don't think Jaco ever realized how many people loved him and how he would truly be remembered forever.
Thank you for Sharing. Let’s keep this man alive…
Yes!!! ❤️❤️
These stories are AMAZING! I truly hope you give us more soon.
Thank you so much.
I first saw Jaco with Pat Metheny in Boston in 1973. Might have been his first jazz gig outside of Florida.
Magic! Early days.
@@FretlessMonster It was advertised as Dave Holland on bass to get bass players to come, as Jaco had no fame at the time.
Love hearing stories from Musicians!!! Thank you for sharing! 🎶🥰🎶👍🏽
👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
Quite literally 3 legends all together! I love these blasts from the pasts, there is always something to behold and take from them.
Great! Thank you!!
@@FretlessMonster Cheers Tony!
I saw the Firm in 85, Hollywood Sportatorium. Both your bass solo and Chris's drum solo blew me away
Love hearing that. Thanks so much 🤩👍🏻
Thank you for sharing this amazing story!
P.S. It's a shame all legendary clubs of NYC, including Lone Star, do not exist anymore... Thou I was lucky to see some amazing acts and unexpected jams there.
It was a definite special and rare time period.
My neck was always sore after leaving here-the stage was at right angles to wherever i was it seemed.
Fantastic, Jaco and Jimmy on stage
The stars and planets were definitely aligned that night. 🌠
For sure!!!
That’s awesome, I saw you guys for my 18th birthday the following day at the Capital Center Largo MD. One of the best shows I’ve ever seen in my life. Great 18th birthday. And who would’ve thought Jimmy played with Jaco the night before😮 wow Jaco jam was 38 years ago today
Wow. I love hearing that. Thanks for sharing!
Amazing stories and teh balls on your Tony for asking Jaco to play his bass live gave me a chuckle! You're the man!
Haha. Thanks. I was either brave or naïve. 😩🤷♂️🤣
@@FretlessMonster Rather brazen antics there Tony!
Well played!!!
SO AWESOME!! LEGENDS!!
Thanks for sharing this story, Tony. Great memories of the music life.
Great. Thank you. It’s nice to share this stuff.
Beautiful story , you seeing your bass idol and hooking him up with jimmy on total accident and making Jack’s probably dream come true and seeing how magic it can be , I think it is sweet that you have trouble sharing words , and even asked to touch his bass hehehe . But the best part is that you made a memory that not many will ever have , it’s beautiful beyond words 😊❤
It’s a very special memory. And having come to know the Pastorius family many years later, this was apparently a meaningful moment for Jaco also. None of knew that Jaco was struggling with mental health at the time. He was bipolar, and sadly would be gone just two years later. 🥲
@@FretlessMonster people now days are more understanding than people were than sadly , but the world lost an amazing bassist , ❤️ value and treasure the memories you made and the knowledge you gave him , the memory that he loved sharing with his family
This is excellent Tony! I’d love a storyteller series from you telling road stories. It could be quite popular. Cheers!
My book will go into a lot more detail. I’m sure there will be more stories.
I agree. Love these war stories. It was fun war. Ha! I think most of we "Boomers" are realizing how lucky we were to grow up when,where and how we did! We simply hit one of history's greatest jackpots!
Tony. I remember '84-'85 at the Boston gardens (the original venue), I saw you with the firm.you did the purple Haze riff and the audience flipped out! Great show by you, Paul, Chris, and pagey!
Thanks so much!! I have such fond memories of those days!
Thank you for bringing this touching Story to Life again 🎸🎶🎵
Thank you. Really appreciate that.
It’s nice to share these precious memories
Appreciate your kind reply 🎸🎶🎵
Wow! Fantastic orator, I promise to find your book. Blue Murder got me to this, I had no idea what a great singer you are. I played a guitar show with you and Reeves Gabriel in Florida, your article about fearlessness came soon after. I jammed with Jaco @ the Button South in Ft Lauderdale just before his passing, sadly he was in rough shape, I have a video. I loved Jaco and I thank God for you, carrying a torch and continuing an unbelievable career. Huge Blessings! Leroy
Thank you for these amazing words. Much appreciated.
Yes it’s incredibly sad what happened to Jaco, but what a legacy and inspiration he gave us. I humbly carry his torch - or a spark of it!
I’ve had an incredible journey, which God willing will continue as long as possible.
Thanks for being there along the way.
What a great story, thanks for sharing ❤
Great!! Thanks so much. 👍🏻🤩
Nice story. Loved Jaco's playing. Saw you with The Firm at Wembley Arena in 1985. Great memory.
Thank you. Jaco was amazing for sure.
Great days, great memories indeed. Will never forget Wembley
Thank you Tony, for recounting that with so much warmth, grace, and humour. So many Jaco stories miss on those counts, and so many of Jaco's detractors fail to pick up on those qualities in the man and the music. You certainly do not.
I truly appreciate that. I have so much love, reverence and respect for Jaco and his legacy. Its easy to forget how powerful and profound Jaco’s influence was when he first hit the scene. He was and still remains a game changer in my eyes. 🙏🏻❤️
@@FretlessMonster I'm honoured that you would read that and reply! Thanks for keeping the fretless flame alive and bright. Our friend Jaco would certainly approve!
Beautiful Tony! Thank you
Thanks so much 🤩👍🏻
Thank YOU for the STORY!
Thank you Tony for sharing this nice story.
Jaco is the boss for eternity…🙏🏼
Yes he is. He’s the man!
What an amazing story, thank you for sharing! I absolutely loved the Firm! I was fortunate enough to see you play and you guys were amazing! You’re still one of my favorite bass players, Tony. Cheers!
Thank you so much!!
I saw The Firm in Dayton Ohio, while partying in the parking lot, a limo drove by and i happened to notice WOW, that was Jimmy Page. Anyhow, he had that same flower shirt on as in the still shot on this video. AWESOME! Rock on !!!!
Oh that’s killer! Must have taken you by surprise 🤩🙃
Thank you for sharing this story. You have genuine chops as a raconteur, I was seeing what you were saying. Still curious about what was played, and if they found some grooves. Jaco played with Jorma Kaukonen around that time, so I could see him adapting to Page and running down some blues songs. The fun you had still shows on your face. Bless you, sir!
I truly appreciate that.
These stories are very meaningful to me. As are the people involved.
I believe there are bootlegs of the evening, certainly of his jam with Jammy. Plus other sets around that time.
What an absolutely great story! Jaco was from a different dimension - and I mean that in the best of ways. Playing or not playing, that had to be an absolute freakish thing to witness!
Thank you. And yes indeed. He was one of a kind, a force of nature.
Sad that he left us, but grateful that he came. He impacted us all.
Wow! What a special moment. I'm sure it was a gift to everyone involved. Jaco knew no boundaries. If it was good he played it. Thank you for your story
Thanks for that. It’s still incredible to me, even after all these years. I was there, yet it feels like a dream, surreal.
Great insight, Tony... thank you!
Great! Thanks for watching.
Wonderful! You got the chance to meet Jaco and for you it was surreal. I got to meet you and for me that was surreal. It was at a Thoroughbred Music guitar show in Clearwater Florida. You could not have been more gracious. Watched you play The Rain Song on fretless 5 string and I was mesmerized. Later that day you jammed with Reeves Gabrels. We, months later, had a phone conversation due to your Fender connection and again you were very patient with a fan. There is a saying- "don't meet your heroes", I ,however, have been very fortunate. Now, NEW BLUE MURDER!!!
Thanks for that. It means a lot.
I wouldn’t hold your breath on BM though. 🙃🤷♂️
"No jazz stuff" from what I recall Jimmy as saying to Jaco. Always loved your playing Tony... great vid!
Yeah. No Jazz for Jimmy.
Beautiful words at the end here. Great stuff!
Thank you. It was an unforgettable occasion
Rock history .. Thanks Tony ..🤩
🙏🏻🤩👍🏻
Wonderful thankyou.
Great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Thank you for sharing, Tony! Great story!
Thank you 😊
I saw the Firm and what a great night it was , and how fabulous to hear you tell your story.
God bless from Nige.
Thanks Nige. God bless
Thank you so much for that story.
fantastic, thanks so much for sharing that story w/ us!
Great. Thanks for watching.
I was there that night with friends, we got to meet all of you but for Jimmy, he was busy watching Jaco. Robert Cray and his band opened up. Jaco met everyone, shaking hands with us outside before we all went in.
Nice!
@@FretlessMonster I’ll never forget that night but it was so wild to see Tony posted about this. Sweet!
So cool. There are some doubters (who no doubt were NOT there) who said it never happened - the recording and pictures were fake. Great that saw it. It DEFINITELY happened!! 😂👏🏻
Why would people feel the need to claim this is fake? Why? Haaa, wow!
Well, I’m a witness. I got you, bud.🤙🏼😎
Delightful story.
Thank you 🙏🏻 😊
Terrific, thank you
Thanks for watching
Asking Jaco to play his bass is soooo funny. I loved that part.
Pretty crazy right? 😩😂🤷♂️
@@FretlessMonster you have to take chances like that as a musician, and a young one at that! What an amazing memory. Thanks for sharing and replying!
I was at the ARMS concert at MSG. Great, historic show.
The seeds of the Firm were set on the ARMS tour. Magic.
What a wonderful story!
That a fantastic and touching story Tony.
Appreciate that. Thanks for watching. It’s very meaningful to me.
@@FretlessMonster My father suffered from similar mental health ailments as Jaco did, but I didn’t understand the nature of his illness until I was well thirty years old. It’s very hard for people like them to get the help they need, and unfortunately, it’s not rare for them to die young and under tragic circumstances. Absurdly enough, if my father hadn’t been institutionalized for the last twenty years of his life, I’m convinced he would have met a violent and tragic end like Jaco did.
Other than that, I love hearing stories about great musicians meeting each other and thoroughly enjoying the encounter, so I’m glad that you and Jimmy got to spend this seriously quality time together.
i was also there that night , my guitar hero and friend kenny Gwynn was playing guitar with Jaco that night he played with Jaco often and jaco would come to play with Kenny at the inner circle bar on jane and west st in the village , Kenny TOTALLY IMPRESSED jimmy Paige that night as well by the way..he came to jam with kenny another time after that . Jaco was always amazing i got close to him and miss him . Kenny Gwyn Passed around the same time , so did butterfield and Rick Danko who also came to jam with kenny often
Very cool. Thanks for that. It was a special night and a special era. Sad that so many of them have gone.
Just amazing i so want to hear this
Thanks Joanna. Look for the jam with Jaco and Jimmy on UA-cam. It’s not a great recording, but at least it’s something captured from that unforgettable night. 🙏🏻🤩
Hi Tony. thanks for a lovely story. a story all us bass players would have loved to experienced. Im a 77yr old bassist. been playing since 1962, both fretted and unfretted. The impact Jaco had throughout that time was amazing. Like you I remember hearing he had died and it really hit me so hard. I was in a theatre pit that night and I really had to pull myself together to finish the job. It was all such a sad event for all us players
I wonder what he would be playing if still around today.?
Oh wow. I cannot imagine what it would have been like if I was playing at the time! Well done on keeping it together.
Who knows. He was a shooting star
Lol....I love the fact you asked him to play his bass....Tony more people in the world should be like you!! ❤❤
Crazy hey? Can’t believe I did that.
I’m like tigger. I’m the only one!! 😝🤣
That is funny stuff!
@@FretlessMonster I hope you didn't take it personally.
SOME of my instruments......i tell every musician.... "TRY THIS PUPPY!" cuz I want everyone to try my cool instruments. (EX: I play 3/4 cuz full-size makes NO LOGICAL SENSE.)
But I have a few instruments where I can't let any other musician play it, and not for sentimental reasons but rather because they're delicate or fragile or some other Practical reason.
(Nevermind that other musicians have broken my gear DOZENS of times, sigh.)
🤣
@@FretlessMonster Reminds me of Jimi Hendrix asking to sit in with Cream! haha
Thanks for Sharing 🙏🏼
Thank you for sharing Tony a fabulous account
Thank you.
Very sincere narrative
What an amazing story. Jaco was a legend. As are you and, well, of course Jimmy. I’m looking forward to more of the stories.
Thanks, Great story!!✌
Ciao Tony!!
Jaco is God.
But you.... you are one of my biggest heroes and one of the main reasons why I started to play fretless bass. You own an immense talent and a huge heart. Trive
That means so much. Thank you with all my heart! 🙌🏻🤩
What a great story. I’m very much looking forward to the book!
Appreciate that.. truly.
Absolutely inspiring story. Thank you Tony!
Great story! I remember seeing the Firm in Detroit and Toledo front row, back to back nights. And Tony's amazing solo and jimi Hendrix montage
I love hearing that. Thank you 😊
Great story, I wish I could have been there to witness the magic of the moment. Jaco used to come round to Berklee College of Muisc where I was going to school at this time. You would see him playing basketball at local playgrounds and also he would often come in and interrupt some ensemble classes, and ask if he could sit in and jam! There were stories of him being high at times. Still the legacy he left is huge and I was grateful to have been around him at this time! Soar on Jaco!
How cool you were able to experience that. He was a force of nature for sure. One of a kind.
Sincerely thank you for gifting us with this lovely story! Enjoyed every word of it!
🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
NYC in the 80's with all the legendary cafes, clubs and concert venues, CBGBs, The Bottomline, Blue Note, Roseland Ballroom, The Ritz The Bitter End, The Garden, Radio City, the streets were just marinated with music.
I didn’t spend much time there, but I heard about it. And caught a glimpse of it at the Lone Star. What a time. What a vibe.
So awesome watching one of my heroes talking about when he met one of my heroes! Just too cool!
Love that. Thank you 🙏🏻🤩
What an awesome story. Thanks for sharing man
What a great story, Tony. I love your playing. The first time I heard The Firm, I'd never heard a bass style like yours. Wish I could play with you sometime.
Wow. Thanks so much
Thanks' Tony! I enjoyed all your work on the Bass these past years starting with The Firm. Your the reason I picked up playing fretless! Wish you the best.
Thanks so much. That’s amazing to hear. Have fun on your Fretless journey! 👏🏻
Thank you Tony for sharing this with us. ❤🎉❤🎉
Awsome !!
Thanks for sharing.
That's cool, that's cool, Tony. Your stories are priceless and always welcome. Thanks a lot!
Truly appreciate that. I love to share them!
Thank you for sharing such a historical event you had.
Looking forward to your book Tony. Get in touch if you want any reminders of our time in bands together 1980 - 84. So glad you're looking well. 😊
George!! So great to hear from you! You’re in the book. I’d love to be in contact with you again. Would you please send me a quick message here? fretlessmonster.com/contact
Love this. Nothing like the confidence of youth! lol Thanks for the story :)
Haha. Thanks. I can’t say I was overly confident. But definitely youthful. 🙃😂🤷♂️
@@FretlessMonster Fair enough, though asking Jaco to play his bass took some gumption by any standard, even though you had the chops!!!!
I cannot deny that. Chris Slade taking the stage first definitely gave me some confidence. I thought “what’s to lose?”
An extra shot of tequila helped too. 😂😩
What an amazing story. Thanks Tony!
Great story Tony. Thanks for sharing it.
thank you for sharing Tony…
My dad used to play the Lone Star.....they loved TX artists.. fabulous thunderbirds played there Too.. Lotsa TX acts
Fantastic. What a time period that was.
I Got to take a couple of lessons from Jaco in October and November of 85 at the drummers collective in NYC. Jaco was in good mental health at that point. Unfortunately it didn't last too long.
So cool that you got to take some lessons with him.
Wow totally enjoyed that ! Thanks for sharing 😁
Appreciate that. Thanks for watching
another great share Tony, thanks!
Thank you
Beautiful story, bravo!
Glory days. I think this is something of a time that‘s over. Thanks for sharing
It was an amazing time period for sure.
Great story! Thanks for sharing!
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
What an amazing story Tony, WOW. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks my friend! 🤩👍🏻
This story is so surreal!
☆☆☆☆☆
😎
Right? Even to me it is!! 🤣🤷♂️🤩
Tony thanks for uploading this. Tony I had a chance to meet Jaco. But I was too scared to talk to him. Jaco and Jimmy two of my biggest musical influences on the stage at once. Mind-blowing!
Trust me. I totally understand that!!
Musical heroes for sure!
@@FretlessMonster Jaco was playing at this place called Chuy’s Cho Cho in Tempe, Az. With his Word of Mouth band. It’s a small club. He walked right by my table to get to the stage. This is a place where you could talk to the guys after the gig. I was so close I could touch him. But I was too scared! This was in 1982 😁
That was great thanks for sharing that memory and really looking forward to your book!
Thank you so much.
I saw Tony I believe it was in 1986 or 87 at the Capitol center in Washington DC with the firm. I was already a Jaco nut . But Tony added some more colors to my paintbox as well.❤ God bless you Tony
That means a lot. Thank you. That was 1986.
Jaco was / is the reason I play Fretless. But I never learned any of his tunes. I just did my own thing… on Fretless! 👍🏻
Thanks again. God Bless.
The Firm were so underrated
Awe..this was great Tony , I saw Weather Report when they played at the Apollo in Glasgow, this was magic thank you.
Thank you.
Cool you saw him with the mighty Weather Report. 👍🏻😊
I can't wait for the book now - and hopefully an audio version read by you Tony!
Thank you. I definitely want to do an audio version. I read it out loud as I’m writing it, to make sure it reads and flows well. 😊👏🏻
I loved that, thank you!
Thanks for watching 👏🏻🤩
You are wonderful with your stories! I cannot wait for the book to be released. You are one of my favorite bass players and am glad we share the same interest in the legend of Mr. Pastorius . Get that book out boss! Gonna dig it and thank you.
Thank you so much. The book is moving along nicely. And yes, Jaco is simply amazing.
Awesome story! Thanks so much for sharing this. So cool that you made this historic jam happen :)
Thank you. It’s all still so surreal and amazing to me. Like I’m a spectator of my own story! 🤷♂️🤪
@@FretlessMonster Thanks for making this video. I met Jaco around the same time in NYC and I'll never forget the big hands and Strong handshake. The strongest I've ever felt from anyone. How lucky we were to have met him. Mike Stern's a great guy too. So was Hiram. RIP Jaco 😎
That is so fascinating that Tony didn't have a lot of knowledge of Led Zeppelin, when I started out three of the first songs I learned on bass were Led Zeppelin songs and that was a pretty common experience for most of us back in the mid eighties and worked through a good chunk of the Zeppelin catalog later.
I hear you. It’s a fascinating story in itself how Led Zep eluded me in those early days. I adore them now.
Great story, Tony. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jeff!
Love you tony ,, da bass man....❤
Thank you! 🥰
Saw you in Philadelphia (The Firm) that big hair was the bomb. Remember Page with the violin bow and the green triangular Lazer lights spinning around him! Good stuff.
Fantastic. Such great days.