Great remembrances, Bill. My wife and I first took note of Jeff's drumming on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in the early '70s, and then on Sunday March 19, 1972 got to see him live with the duo at a concert in Fort Wayne, Indiana ... when Jeff was still just 17! Two years later in April 1974 we're attending our first Steely Dan concert at the U. of Toledo when we recognized Jeff as the tandem drummer alongside Jim Hodder. Following that Pretzel Logic Tour, Jeff would be the main drummer on Steely Dan's 4th album "Katy Lied." Then in late 1975 he was the drummer on Boz Scagg's Grammy-winning album "Silk Degrees." He accomplished all that before the age of 22. A sad coincidence that by the time Steely Dan resumed touring after a 19-year hiatus (1974-1993) both Jim Hodder and Jeff Porcaro had passed on.
and after listening to you talking about Jeff it lead me across the ocean as well and there was Manu Katche talking about Jeffrey ruclips.net/video/1zBTD9TSvng/видео.html
Jeff was "The Man" (for me) ever since I heard a radio commercial for Toto and "Hold The Line" back in 1978. Then when I saw Toto live for the first time on Feb. 2, 1979 at the Cleveland Agora, I fell in love with his dynamic, hip style that fit every song so perfectly. We shall never hear such a deep pocket again. RIP JP.
Leland, this is wonderful. I spend hours listening to you, Bill Schnee and many other sharing your love and experiences of Jeff. He was and is such an inspiration to musicians all over the world and it is humbling listening to you, his ‘brothers’, speak of him so fondly. During an educational course I attended (not music related) we were asked if we had one wish what would it be. Many came back with classical answers, money, fame, love and of course, world peace. I said, to have met and talked to Jeff Porcaro - blank expressions all around. Following this we had to give a presentation on our chosen subject. A week after this my peers, none of whom were musicians, spent the first 10 minutes of class discussing Jeff Porcaro, his extensive discography and even how he had played on most of their favourite songs or playlists. Still touching lives!!!!
Maybe the best interview yet. I'm so grateful Lee. And to all your friends of Jeff for keeping his memory alive for those of us who loved his music but never had the chance to meet him in person.
In discussions with other musicians, the subject of “best” & “ most influential” will often come up and the usual heroes pop up, like Hendrix, Clapton, Bonham, Emerson, and I’m always taken aback when my mentioning Porcaro, Lukather and Paich is met with hyms and haws. Of course, once I proceed to list off the discographies and influence that these giants have had in our collective musical upbringings, the tone tends to turn from argumentative, to educational. There isn’t a musician alive who won’t claim to be a Steely Dan fan, even if they’ve never heard them! It’s just kind of a “required for entry” thing. But many don’t know how many tracks the skinny young kid from the valley are on. Same goes for Boz Skaggs and many others. The valley boys are truly an under appreciated group of cats that we hear, love and emulate, DAILY! So, thanks for getting the info out there for the people to hear. The more people who know the facts, the better the music will get. Also, thanks for all of your contributions to our musical upbringings as well, Mr. Sklar.
Fascinating details told by a wonderful producer and engineer. What an honour to have been such a close friend of Jeff. The instructional video is awesome and I come back to this again and again. I'll never forget, how thrilled I was, when I saw it first time on a VHS-tape. Thanks also to Lee for making these interviews honouring one of the best drummers ever. R.I.P. Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro and thank you for your incredible drumming.
Love for one another! The trenches are where it's at! You come out with great friends that mean more than anything! At the end of the day all we have is each other! RIP Jeff.....
Thank you for this, Lee! I approached Bill Schnee in 2006 for an intern position, but it was a rough time for studios and they just weren't hiring, but he still took an hour out of his day to show me around and talk about Jeff Porcaro, my first drumming idol before Phil Collins!
Thanks Lee for taking the time to do these interviews and posting them. I have heard you play but didn't have the pleasure of seeing Jeff. But it's easy to feel like I knew him from all these fond remembrances.
I will do my part to keep the Jeff groove alive. He's my daily inspiration...
Amen.
Great remembrances, Bill. My wife and I first took note of Jeff's drumming on The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour in the early '70s, and then on Sunday March 19, 1972 got to see him live with the duo at a concert in Fort Wayne, Indiana ... when Jeff was still just 17! Two years later in April 1974 we're attending our first Steely Dan concert at the U. of Toledo when we recognized Jeff as the tandem drummer alongside Jim Hodder. Following that Pretzel Logic Tour, Jeff would be the main drummer on Steely Dan's 4th album "Katy Lied." Then in late 1975 he was the drummer on Boz Scagg's Grammy-winning album "Silk Degrees." He accomplished all that before the age of 22. A sad coincidence that by the time Steely Dan resumed touring after a 19-year hiatus (1974-1993) both Jim Hodder and Jeff Porcaro had passed on.
What a wonderful words from that legendary tressure about a gone brother! Bless their souls
and after listening to you talking about Jeff it lead me across the ocean as well and there was Manu Katche talking about Jeffrey ruclips.net/video/1zBTD9TSvng/видео.html
Thanks Leland for this post... has Jeff Porcaro ever been given any lifetime achievement awards that you know of? He definitely should be honored.
Jeff - my #1 since I started playing as a nine year old in 86...
Jeff was "The Man" (for me) ever since I heard a radio commercial for Toto and "Hold The Line" back in 1978. Then when I saw Toto live for the first time on Feb. 2, 1979 at the Cleveland Agora, I fell in love with his dynamic, hip style that fit every song so perfectly. We shall never hear such a deep pocket again. RIP JP.
Leland, this is wonderful. I spend hours listening to you, Bill Schnee and many other sharing your love and experiences of Jeff. He was and is such an inspiration to musicians all over the world and it is humbling listening to you, his ‘brothers’, speak of him so fondly.
During an educational course I attended (not music related) we were asked if we had one wish what would it be. Many came back with classical answers, money, fame, love and of course, world peace. I said, to have met and talked to Jeff Porcaro - blank expressions all around. Following this we had to give a presentation on our chosen subject. A week after this my peers, none of whom were musicians, spent the first 10 minutes of class discussing Jeff Porcaro, his extensive discography and even how he had played on most of their favourite songs or playlists.
Still touching lives!!!!
Nice to watch this again. Thank you Lee and Bill. Jeff Porcaro what a legend. Love hearing these stories.
Maybe the best interview yet. I'm so grateful Lee. And to all your friends of Jeff for keeping his memory alive for those of us who loved his music but never had the chance to meet him in person.
In discussions with other musicians, the subject of “best” & “ most influential” will often come up and the usual heroes pop up, like Hendrix, Clapton, Bonham, Emerson, and I’m always taken aback when my mentioning Porcaro, Lukather and Paich is met with hyms and haws. Of course, once I proceed to list off the discographies and influence that these giants have had in our collective musical upbringings, the tone tends to turn from argumentative, to educational. There isn’t a musician alive who won’t claim to be a Steely Dan fan, even if they’ve never heard them! It’s just kind of a “required for entry” thing. But many don’t know how many tracks the skinny young kid from the valley are on. Same goes for Boz Skaggs and many others. The valley boys are truly an under appreciated group of cats that we hear, love and emulate, DAILY! So, thanks for getting the info out there for the people to hear. The more people who know the facts, the better the music will get.
Also, thanks for all of your contributions to our musical upbringings as well, Mr. Sklar.
This series is wonderful .Jeff is a huge influence to me.
Fascinating details told by a wonderful producer and engineer. What an honour to have been such a close friend of Jeff. The instructional video is awesome and I come back to this again and again. I'll never forget, how thrilled I was, when I saw it first time on a VHS-tape. Thanks also to Lee for making these interviews honouring one of the best drummers ever. R.I.P. Jeffrey Thomas Porcaro and thank you for your incredible drumming.
Love for one another! The trenches are where it's at! You come out with great friends that mean more than anything! At the end of the day all we have is each other! RIP Jeff.....
Thank you for this, Lee! I approached Bill Schnee in 2006 for an intern position, but it was a rough time for studios and they just weren't hiring, but he still took an hour out of his day to show me around and talk about Jeff Porcaro, my first drumming idol before Phil Collins!
He was such a great musician. Always missed.
Jeff Porcaro... We miss you
Jeff was and is my favorite drummer.
Thanks for the memories Mr Schnee. And thanks to Mr Sklar for posting this.
Thank you Lee! Jeff's lone instructional video was done at Schnee... I've gone thru 3 copies!
Great video! Good to see anything new on here regarding Jeff! Just wish he was still here with us!
Thanks Lee for taking the time to do these interviews and posting them. I have heard you play but didn't have the pleasure of seeing Jeff. But it's easy to feel like I knew him from all these fond remembrances.
Wonderful....humble...really nicely done
Thanks for this Leland! Wish i've could have met Jeff. Such an inspiration! The best drummer ever!! Take care man.
beautiful!
He work with Boz Scaggs on some albums before Toto
Amazing
Jeff Porcaro ❤🌹🌹🌹
love
Whew Schnee major domo of engineering knew Jeff well
Yes it is the room Where Jeff's video was Done,
🧡
One of the greatest losses in the music world.
Gentlemen