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.
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 RUclips exists, where we can go and hear these types of stories nearly 40 years on! Cheers!
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!
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!!
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
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.
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 for sharing this story!!! Really enjoy listening to you talk about your adventures. Jimmy and Jaco in a small bar. NOw that is historic!!!! Jimmy was a session player for a few years so he has so much to draw on one forgets. I think you didn't even realize that being a little afraid for Jimmy. He seems to be a humble guy like you!!!
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 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!
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!
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.
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 !!!!
Thank you, Tony, for sharing this story and for being instrumental in getting two of my heroes, Jimmy and Jaco together. I only really got to know you and your work about 10 years ago. I love your friendly, genial style and your 'fretless monster' approach.
@@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.)
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 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
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!!!
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
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!
Tony, I'm glad I stumbled on this video. I've been a Jaco fan for many years but also a Page fan as well. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Cheers!
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.
As I’ve said, you were awesome on that tour. Best live sound I’ve heard. (Never saw Rush live lol). Cool hearing the bassist who inspired me to go fretless talk about the bassist who inspired him to do the same. I’m a couple of years older than you but I never heard of Jaco until after I bought my fretless and was taking lessons and my teacher said “That’s a Jaco line” when I was doing a solo exercise. Life is funny that way.
Thank you Tony for telling us your story. Jaco, Jimmy, you, all influenced me. To hear that you all met, as well as in my own musical influence/experience, is really cool. If that makes any sense.
Thank you for that story Tony. I also love that video of you, David Gilmour and Kate Bush perfoming Running up that hill. 3 icons on stage together. Wow!
I’m glad I watched the whole video. It was truly enlightening as well as entertaining to me. I love those kinda stories man. Thanks for sharing Tony. 😊
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
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.
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!
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.
So I had a couple customers come into my framing shop in Sydney last Friday, wanting 42 framed works by Monday. Rock photos. I had no idea until we'd finished the job, but the lady photographer who turned up is Jimmy Page's daughter. My god, her work is truly amazing, and she's really lovely. I bought one, so I'm sort of over the moon this week :)
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
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!
@@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 😁
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.
What a great story, and very well told! I picked up the bass with Jaco as my inspiration...40 years later I still can't play 😂 However, I do try to introduce others to him to keep his memory alive. Truly one of the greats.
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
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
By this show Jaco was at the end of his rope. The Weather Report didn't want anything to do with him, and he was couch-surfing between playing small gigs. He had run out of people to help him, not that he really wanted help. When he moved back to Florida, that was the end. Unemployable, it was only a matter of time. But I'm grateful for the short amount of time he was here. He certainly left an indelible legacy. Thanks for the story. I saw you with the Firm in Oakland and really enjoyed the show.
Thanks for that. Yes it’s very sad. Little was known about bipolar at that time. I believe he was attempting to escape the dark episodes of his condition with drink and drugs, which of course only made things worse. It’s heartbreaking really. But what a gift he left us! Cool that you saw the Firm. Magical days for me. 🙏🏻😊
@@FretlessMonster Hi Tony, thanks for the reply. Even if he had accepted the treatment he clearly needed, I think the best case scenario is a Syd Barrett-type of existence. Which if you consider it, wasn't that bad for him. Quick story, in 1988 I traveled to Jamaica with my ex and we were approached by a musician looking to sell his original reggae cassettes. The only catch is they were at his house about a 20 minute drive from Ocho Rios. This felt sketchy, but we hired a taxi for the drive to his modest bungalow. When we walked in we were treated to a glorious video of the Caribbean. He put on the cassette and cracked a few beers. But when we went into the main room, on the wall was only a single piece of art, the promotional picture of The Firm in the size of a massive poster. Full color, with all 4 of you. It was hilarious...instead of Bob Marley he chose The Firm! It was a good day!
Thank You Tony for this And thank you for the harmonic slide Radioactive As a Guitarist wondering for 35 years (actually a quest ) to find out how that's done - I played a gig with a fretless guy and turned him on to you (picture me jumping up and down when I found out how you did that - I was gonna rip the frets outta one of my geetars Thank you Thank you And as a New Yorka The Lone Star was special
Great story man! Haha, you're the reason I pulled the frets out of two of my basses back in the day, and I think I played barefoot for a while as well. Great hearing you reminisce about things that happened when I was seeing you the way you saw Jaco. I would have been around 14 at the time this story took place, and can only imagine if I had walked into a little bar and seen you playing.
Thanks for sharing Tony your story.just surreal bro.Jaco,Jack Bruce and Stanley Clarke in my knowledge and love are my favourite bassist's ever.... respect 👍 always
Great story! Thank you, Tony. You were so lucky to meet Jaco, he was a one-off for sure. FYI you were the first fretless player I ever heard. I was fifteen and had been playing rock bass for about two years. Radioactive came on the TV in the other room and I could hear your bass. I froze thinking what the F is this?? I dropped everything and ran to the TV. I had to see this amazing bass player with the amazing bass sound and style! It was so new and wonderful and fresh and interesting and fun. I watched MTV steady for weeks waiting for that video to come on again to watch you play. Thank you for broadening my musical palate and giving me new things to think about. That bass line is in my all time favorites list. Wouldn't you know it I ended up with spiked, blonde hair for two years. 😉
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.
I listen this record for the first time 20 years ago when I started bass..as a Jaco and Led zep hardcore fan!! great story!! thank you Tony, youn're great!!
These moments of your life are priceless man. Seeing legends play and in turn becoming one as well. If only we could video of everything from your brain for all the experiences 😁🎸🎶 Keep telling them!!
I remember hearing Radioactive in 85 on the radio,and it had this weird instrument that I Fell in love with,it was Franklins gorgeous funky fretless tone that made me a fretless fanatic...THANKS TONY...AND SOME GUY CALLED JACO..LOL
Great story! I'm also very happy that it turned out to be such a great experience, as I understand it was unfortunately not the same for everyone in that stage of his life with all his problems.
Thanks Tony, so interesting. You are a great bass player, my favourite with you is with David and Kate Running Up That Hill what a legendary performance.
Great story! I only learned of the genius of Jaco after picking up the bass a few years ago. I'm looking for that Jaco and Jimmy video now. Thanks for posting this!
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 RUclips exists, where we can go and hear these types of stories nearly 40 years on! Cheers!
Great. Thanks for that.
Yes RUclips 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!
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.
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!!!
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!
These stories are AMAZING! I truly hope you give us more soon.
Thank you so much.
Fantastic, Jaco and Jimmy on stage
The stars and planets were definitely aligned that night. 🌠
For sure!!!
Love hearing stories from Musicians!!! Thank you for sharing! 🎶🥰🎶👍🏽
👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
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 🤩👍🏻
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!!
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.
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!
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.
Thank you for Sharing. Let’s keep this man alive…
Yes!!! ❤️❤️
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!
Thanks for sharing this story!!! Really enjoy listening to you talk about your adventures. Jimmy and Jaco in a small bar. NOw that is historic!!!! Jimmy was a session player for a few years so he has so much to draw on one forgets. I think you didn't even realize that being a little afraid for Jimmy. He seems to be a humble guy like you!!!
Yes indeed. He was definitely out of his comfort zone. Of course he did great. An unforgettable evening.
Great story, Tony. Thank you for sharing it. Rest in peace, John Francis Pastorius, III.
🙌🏻🙏🏻💔❤️
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 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!!
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!
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.
Thank you Tony for sharing this nice story.
Jaco is the boss for eternity…🙏🏼
Yes he is. He’s the man!
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 bringing this touching Story to Life again 🎸🎶🎵
Thank you. Really appreciate that.
It’s nice to share these precious memories
Appreciate your kind reply 🎸🎶🎵
Thank you, Tony, for sharing this story and for being instrumental in getting two of my heroes, Jimmy and Jaco together. I only really got to know you and your work about 10 years ago. I love your friendly, genial style and your 'fretless monster' approach.
Thank you so much. It was a very special occasion for sure.
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
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 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
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. 🙃🤷♂️
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.
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.
What a great story, thanks for sharing ❤
Great!! Thanks so much. 👍🏻🤩
Great story! Thanks for sharing it.
Tony, I'm glad I stumbled on this video. I've been a Jaco fan for many years but also a Page fan as well. Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. Cheers!
Great! Thanks for watching!
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
What a great story. I’m very much looking forward to the book!
Appreciate that.. truly.
As I’ve said, you were awesome on that tour. Best live sound I’ve heard. (Never saw Rush live lol). Cool hearing the bassist who inspired me to go fretless talk about the bassist who inspired him to do the same. I’m a couple of years older than you but I never heard of Jaco until after I bought my fretless and was taking lessons and my teacher said “That’s a Jaco line” when I was doing a solo exercise. Life is funny that way.
Ha! That’s so great. Thanks for watching.
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
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 😊
Absolutely inspiring story. Thank you Tony!
Thank you Tony for telling us your story. Jaco, Jimmy, you, all influenced me. To hear that you all met, as well as in my own musical influence/experience, is really cool. If that makes any sense.
I understand… and thank you!! 👍🏻🤩
Great story, Tony! Thanks for the music.
Thanks! Truly appreciate that 😊👍🏻
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
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.
Thank you for that story Tony. I also love that video of you, David Gilmour and Kate Bush perfoming Running up that hill. 3 icons on stage together. Wow!
Thanks so much. I’ve been fortunate to be front row at some incredible moments. Very grateful
I’m glad I watched the whole video. It was truly enlightening as well as entertaining to me. I love those kinda stories man. Thanks for sharing Tony. 😊
Thanks for watching. It was fun to share. An unforgettable night.
"No jazz stuff" from what I recall Jimmy as saying to Jaco. Always loved your playing Tony... great vid!
Yeah. No Jazz for Jimmy.
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.
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.
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.
Rock history .. Thanks Tony ..🤩
🙏🏻🤩👍🏻
So awesome watching one of my heroes talking about when he met one of my heroes! Just too cool!
Love that. Thank you 🙏🏻🤩
Sincerely thank you for gifting us with this lovely story! Enjoyed every word of it!
🙏🏻🙏🏻❤️❤️
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.
Amazing story!! Thank you so so much for sharing!! :D
Great!! Thanks for watching!!
fantastic, thanks so much for sharing that story w/ us!
Great. Thanks for watching.
So I had a couple customers come into my framing shop in Sydney last Friday, wanting 42 framed works by Monday. Rock photos. I had no idea until we'd finished the job, but the lady photographer who turned up is Jimmy Page's daughter. My god, her work is truly amazing, and she's really lovely. I bought one, so I'm sort of over the moon this week :)
Fantastic. And how cool. Scarlett is an incredible photographer
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
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 😁
I was at the ARMS concert at MSG. Great, historic show.
The seeds of the Firm were set on the ARMS tour. Magic.
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! 👏🏻
What a great story, and very well told! I picked up the bass with Jaco as my inspiration...40 years later I still can't play 😂 However, I do try to introduce others to him to keep his memory alive. Truly one of the greats.
Haha. That’s very honest of you.
Yes Jaco was definitely one of the greats. Great that you can introduce him to others.
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
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!
Thanks for Sharing 🙏🏼
Great story! Thanks for sharing!
👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
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! 🙌🏻🤩
Very sincere narrative
By this show Jaco was at the end of his rope. The Weather Report didn't want anything to do with him, and he was couch-surfing between playing small gigs. He had run out of people to help him, not that he really wanted help. When he moved back to Florida, that was the end. Unemployable, it was only a matter of time. But I'm grateful for the short amount of time he was here. He certainly left an indelible legacy. Thanks for the story. I saw you with the Firm in Oakland and really enjoyed the show.
Thanks for that. Yes it’s very sad. Little was known about bipolar at that time. I believe he was attempting to escape the dark episodes of his condition with drink and drugs, which of course only made things worse. It’s heartbreaking really.
But what a gift he left us!
Cool that you saw the Firm. Magical days for me. 🙏🏻😊
@@FretlessMonster Hi Tony, thanks for the reply. Even if he had accepted the treatment he clearly needed, I think the best case scenario is a Syd Barrett-type of existence. Which if you consider it, wasn't that bad for him. Quick story, in 1988 I traveled to Jamaica with my ex and we were approached by a musician looking to sell his original reggae cassettes. The only catch is they were at his house about a 20 minute drive from Ocho Rios. This felt sketchy, but we hired a taxi for the drive to his modest bungalow. When we walked in we were treated to a glorious video of the Caribbean. He put on the cassette and cracked a few beers. But when we went into the main room, on the wall was only a single piece of art, the promotional picture of The Firm in the size of a massive poster. Full color, with all 4 of you. It was hilarious...instead of Bob Marley he chose The Firm! It was a good day!
Thank you for sharing Tony a fabulous account
Thank you.
Thank You Tony for this
And thank you for the harmonic slide Radioactive
As a Guitarist wondering for 35 years (actually a quest ) to find out how that's done - I played a gig with a fretless guy and turned him on to you (picture me jumping up and down when I found out how you did that - I was gonna rip the frets outta one of my geetars
Thank you Thank you
And as a New Yorka The Lone Star was special
That’s great to hear. Thanks for that.
Yes the Lone Star was a special vibe and time.
Thanks, Great story!!✌
Great insight, Tony... thank you!
Great! Thanks for watching.
Amazing story! I was fortunate enough to see you play with The Firm at U of I about a week prior to this. A concert I'll never forget.
Truly appreciate that.
Great story man! Haha, you're the reason I pulled the frets out of two of my basses back in the day, and I think I played barefoot for a while as well. Great hearing you reminisce about things that happened when I was seeing you the way you saw Jaco. I would have been around 14 at the time this story took place, and can only imagine if I had walked into a little bar and seen you playing.
Wow. That’s great to hear that.
Barefoot too. You were all in 👏🏻🤩
Glory days. I think this is something of a time that‘s over. Thanks for sharing
It was an amazing time period for sure.
Thanks for sharing Tony your story.just surreal bro.Jaco,Jack Bruce and Stanley Clarke in my knowledge and love are my favourite bassist's ever.... respect 👍 always
Great thank you
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. 👍🏻😊
it must have been surreal for sure. you and Jaco having a bass contest on stage would have been a jaw dropping experience.
Great story! Thank you, Tony. You were so lucky to meet Jaco, he was a one-off for sure. FYI you were the first fretless player I ever heard. I was fifteen and had been playing rock bass for about two years. Radioactive came on the TV in the other room and I could hear your bass. I froze thinking what the F is this?? I dropped everything and ran to the TV. I had to see this amazing bass player with the amazing bass sound and style! It was so new and wonderful and fresh and interesting and fun. I watched MTV steady for weeks waiting for that video to come on again to watch you play. Thank you for broadening my musical palate and giving me new things to think about. That bass line is in my all time favorites list. Wouldn't you know it I ended up with spiked, blonde hair for two years. 😉
That’s amazing to hear. Thanks for sharing that. You went full in with the hair too!! 👏🏻🤩👍🏻
Terrific, thank you
Thanks for watching
Beautiful words at the end here. Great stuff!
Thank you. It was an unforgettable occasion
Looking forward to reading that book! Can't wait for your masterclass next week at Camp!
Great. Thank you. See you soon.
Saw you May 1st, 1985, the day after, at Capital Centre in Maryland. You were great and so was your singer, drummer and guitar player.
Haha. Thanks. Not a bad little band really. 🤷♂️🤣
Kool story, that would have been amazing to be present! Can't wait for your book Tony, keep up the great work, Cheers!!
Thanks so much
Great story. Thanks for sharing, Tony. Wow...23 y/o and playing to a sold out MSG and meeting Jaco all in the same trip.
Within a day of each other. Surreal and amazing for sure.
You play bass, the performing player lays down his bass to tickle the ivories. Why not ask to fill-in! Good on you for inquiring!!
That’s what I was thinking! 🙃😂
The bassist just happened to be Jaco Pastorius 😩🤣
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
What an awesome story. Thanks for sharing man
Great story! Thank you for sharing.
I listen this record for the first time 20 years ago when I started bass..as a Jaco and Led zep hardcore fan!! great story!! thank you Tony, youn're great!!
Fantastic. And thank you so much.
Great story, I have the show and it is awesome!
These moments of your life are priceless man. Seeing legends play and in turn becoming one as well. If only we could video of everything from your brain for all the experiences 😁🎸🎶 Keep telling them!!
Thanks so much. That means a lot. 🙏🏻🤩
My first concert ever was The Firm in 1986 at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. What an amazing, historical night! 🤘🏼
Wow. I love hearing that!! 👏🏻😊
I remember hearing Radioactive in 85 on the radio,and it had this weird instrument that I Fell in love with,it was Franklins gorgeous funky fretless tone that made me a fretless fanatic...THANKS TONY...AND SOME GUY CALLED JACO..LOL
Haha. Thanks so much!!!!
Thank YOU for the STORY!
Great story! I'm also very happy that it turned out to be such a great experience, as I understand it was unfortunately not the same for everyone in that stage of his life with all his problems.
It was an unforgettable evening in what was a very difficult period in Jaco’s life.
Thanks Tony, so interesting. You are a great bass player, my favourite with you is with David and Kate Running Up That Hill what a legendary performance.
Great. Thank you so much.
Great story! I only learned of the genius of Jaco after picking up the bass a few years ago. I'm looking for that Jaco and Jimmy video now. Thanks for posting this!
Great. Thanks so much. Yes Jaco was a force of nature. Changed bass forever