Jaco Pastorius Interview

Jaco's interview on British radio 1978.
Please feel free to rate, comment & subscribe.
Rooster. (aka sprojojoing @ KZbin)

[@zksharpe2370]

Guys come into the bar and asks me what I'm doing. I said, I'm here to see the world's greatest bass player, Jaco Pastorious... Same guy buys me a Henieken, Othello announces the introduction of Jaco Pastorious as a guest musician on the set and he stands up from next to me drinks the rest of his beer, grins and takes the stage, I di'nt recognize him from our 1st meeting. This was years after he opened for Weather Report with the U of M jazz band in Gusman Hall. Backstage I mentioned, that he would be working with WR before the end of the year, he was kind enough to say so. That same evening he showed up at his house gig at the Checkmate Lounge where he worked with Wayne Cochran and the CC Riders, pouring vodka into my cup he grins and says, "Man You're Like Shit You';re Everywhere". He graced my life, I am forever grateful to have known this badass motherfucker and to have grown up in South Florida where God put me, to meet this incredible musician.

[@glipabazza9994]

Shiiiit, boy, was Pastorius that pretentious ?? Incredible. Total ass this dude.

[@poopoopable]

"I never listened to no bass players, I just listen to music" - Jaco Pastorius.

[@jazz65]

Jaco wasn't arrogant, he was just Honest about his gift, he was direct and honest. most of the people loves him a lot, and that's not just about being such a great Musician. he was a good guy.

[@bottesini2001]

I met Jaco briefly after a concert. He was very cool, interested in talking about music, and not arrogant like his reputation suggests. I think it was the alcohol and drugs talking sometimes. I found him a thoughtful and interesting person.

[@Emersonlakeorpalmer]

Lucky ass

[@vbassone]

What year?

[@ashleyholmes7851]

Jaco went to my school way back when, and was in the same band room as me... I'm utterly fascinated with him. My band teacher told me how Jaco was a great guy. When he went to jail he had tattered clothing, and someone he knew (I forgot who he said it was. His uncle I think?) brought him new clothes to wear, and he gave it to someone else because he said they needed it more than him. He's so cool, and his music is rad.

[@Pepper-cd9yr]

Truly inspiring musician. Knows exactly what he's about, inspires generations of bassists even today.

[@pleximanic]

Jaco was not arrogant at all, he knew his ability, he was simply honest and he had an incredible sense of humor! In my opinion it was his honesty that made it possible for him to create the fabulous music but also posed major problems for him, the music industry is anything but honest, you know!

[@godisbollocks]

I'm a huge fan of his, but he was pretty darn arrogant. He was calling himself the world's greatest bass player back when he was a teenager. That's extremely arrogant.

[@johnballs1352]

@@godisbollocks Well, he was right wasn't he? I mean, yeah that's snobby af, but he had the skills to back it up

[@jamesrmore]

@@godisbollocks name any bassist who even comes close. He was a one man band, but put him with other great musicians. Very creative. Sometimes a persons brain eventually breaks. Take drugs to make it better and it gets worse. Just saying.

[@godisbollocks]

@@jamesrmore Like you, I think he's the king of all electric bassists. All I'm saying is that even if Jaco didn't exaggerate his abilities per se, it was unnecessary and devoid of class for him to speak of himself in that way. Besides, those who can recognize his talent don't need his talent pointed out to them, and those who can't recognize his talent won't appreciate just how good he is by being told. I'm from New Zealand, so perhaps that explains why I feel this way. We detest braggarts. It's clear to see in our sporting realm - NZ has ruled the world at rugby for most of the last several decades and yet I honestly cannot *ever* remember an All Black player saying anything that resembled arrogance or braggart behavior. Any All Black who did that would immediately be chopped down to size by his teammates. Likewise with sailing - we pretty much rule the world in that sport, too. And we're Top 5 in the world in cricket. That LeBron James incident where he's on film saying: "That's when I knew I was the greatest of all time" made every New Zealander wince. My peers will be the judge of my ability, not me. Capiche?

[@thondupandrugtsang]

One of the greatest interviews.Both guest and host.

[@Laubzeck]

although the interviewer could have kept his mouth shut a bit more often ... MHO

[@namtil]

I heard Jaco play a couple of times, but never met him. Here's a thought on the whole "arrogance" issue: Remember that, among all the things he was, Jaco was, first, a human being. Imagine a street-wise kid from Florida suddenly being thrust into the position of, arguably, the most influential musician on the planet! I was around when he hit, and I'll tell everyone, there was NO-ONE in his league. I think he was very self-aware, especially in the beginning. He sounds happy and relaxed here.

[@percyvolnar8010]

If Jaco was arrogant, it was because he was in proximity of Joe. Joe was arrogant AF and he acquired that from being Cannonball Adderley's pianist. XD

[@stevekatz4372]

Well, I have every Weather Report CD and after listening to this interview of Jaco I understand more than I did, what a musical genius he really is. Aside from his music, because of these interviews, I also get a feel for his personality and what a genuine nice person he was. I still, to this day, can't understand his tragic death and how it seemed that he was beyond help. What a shame!

[@MetalheadYA]

+Steve Katz If I understand it correctly, he was in the wrong bouncers bar at the wrong time, bein drunk and disorderly.... Sad, but that's life....and death...

[@hectormendez3572]

Weather Report Heavy weather was my introduction to fusion Jazz.I was just 15 or 16 years old and Jaco blew me away.

[@sprojojoing]

Same here, just a few years older 18-19 and for me the live 8:30 album was the S...t and still is.

[@luke125]

Jaco was so far ahead of everything. He shook up the world. He came and went like a shooting star. Yeah Jaco. Thank you. -Pick

[@fubarin8896]

This interview was top quality, the interviewer just asked the right questions. Big thumbs up for the upload.

[@xxxchrist1]

He sounds like a guy at ease with who he is and what he is. I wouldn't say he's bragging, although he is entitled to, he's just answering questions, and the interviewer is clearly in awe of him. Brilliant post. What a fabulously gifted musician, and what a tragic end for him.

[@MichaelBtpace]

best Jaco interview around. great job!

[@57briben]

The first time I saw Jaco was with Weather Report in Toronto at Convocation Hall .He seemed a bit wasted and during his solo spot he jumped off the drum riser and crashed into Waynes saxes knocking them over. Wayne came running out ,grabbed his saxes and went backstage.Jaco continued playing as if nothing happened, haha.But what I can still remember is that even though you could tell he was out of it, he NEVER fucked up and his time was solid as a rock...amazing really.

[@backgroundrumble]

if any bass player can be arrogant Jaco can... he's earned the right to call himself the best and the best bar none. wonderful, it's great to hear him again , thanks for posting this. I saw the tour in1978, make no mistake he was the govnor and still is. we need him back as a bass players guiding light..

[@ivanhoe8591]

@namtil Thankyou for this. I'd never heard Jaco's voice before. I saw him with Weather Report in 1980 when I'd been playing bass for 6 months, could play a few simplish rock things. I was, as you may imagine, somewhat overwhelmed! - literally couldn't speak for half-an-hour after the concert. His playing and his music have had a profound effect on my musical life since then. For me, he's the greatest musician that's ever played bass guitar. A sad and tragic life in the end - but what a legacy!

[@radmin2]

He said he sight read Birdland while recording the first and only take. That's pretty amazing.

[@surrealforreal]

Jaco is on my mount Rushmore of musicians, with Frank Zappa, Joe Pass and Joe Zawinul. Odd grouping, I know...:)

[@javierandresmesa]

God bless Jaco. Beautiful. Thank you.

[@fubarin8896]

Big thanks for the upload, very good interview. There are not many around.

[@theresa42213]

''Formally self taught'' Got to be the most famous quote from him. So sad it fell apart. Rest in Peace sweetie.

[@davidpellow4877]

@@VisualDrone12 So where is the reply that said, "Formerly self-taught?" I responded to a comment that used the word "Formerly." I'm sorry if it wasn't yours, I just hate these people that revel in making fun of Jaco's demise. He was a stone -cold genius, one of the great musicians in the history of America IMO. When I met him he was a gentleman and spent quality time. He is a hero for me, I try to emulate his musicianship always. If you didn't say that then please accept my apologies. RIP indeed.

[@davidpellow4877]

@@VisualDrone12 Then next time, post your correction. And, if you read very carefully my response, I said "I'm sorry if it wasn't yours" (or if you made a mistake). If he was "self-taught" he was self-taught forever. If you say, "formerly" that creates a sarcastic position for your post (as I read it). Four months later you come here to continue the conversation? After deleting your post?

[@bholaoates1542]

@@VisualDrone12 Serious question for you: how did you learn to write in English so well? You write better than most native English speakers in comment sections on youtube, which is impressive.

[@anthonymoedano03]

@@davidpellow4877 it’s not that serious calm down boomer

[@davidpellow4877]

@@anthonymoedano03 Oh, I'm very calm child.

[@rastapastrychief]

Just The best. Period.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Jaco is unmatched!!!

[@eisenyeo]

When there's a WILL there's a WAY ! Respect! Jaco's got determination to be the baddest in the World!

[@joniwxyz]

Heartbroken .... a genius!! He deserved better.

[@namtil]

Something you don't always get: an intelligent interviewer who can ask the right questions. Jaco is phenomenal, completely unique. Thank you very much for posting this.

[@AlanNiblockfree]

Yeah...God bless Jaco

[@sjstwrt]

Wonderful interview! Props to the interviewer whoever he was. Jaco's playing speaks for its self as some of the best and innovative ever on the instrument and this interview shows him as a real, genuine, and very relatable.

[@ThierryPBeaulieu]

Thanks very much for sharing.

[@ZappaFan101]

Wow, thanks so much for uploading this. Im a huge jaco fan.

[@ruffian1868]

Bring Jaco back now and he'd still be so far ahead of everyone !

[@josephwalkermusic]

Beautiful interview, a lot of great knowledge here. What a man Jaco was, what an amazing mind.

[@michaelmccowin298]

Fantastic work, Rooster. Really nice video.

[@sprojojoing]

Michael McCowin Thanks.

[@michaelwright1467]

Innovators in Music are all different. Jaco was one of them on Bass. As was Zawinul and guys like John McLaughlin on guitar. May he rest in peace. No telling what he would sound like today.

[@tonysimmons8912]

I was an obnoxious guitarist in 81'......Had a chance to see Weather Report one night in Denver... got drunk and passed out instead.... Now, as a bassist I listen to Jaco and I realize that I really was a dumb ass......lol....... I regret not seein Jaco and the band back in 81'......I missed out.....Too bad he's gone...RIP..

[@tinfoilhatter]

yeah...so marcus miller,actually learnt from and met jaco--good for him! i was a young roadie guy on the 1985 roger whittaker tour in the usa,i remember the guys in the band were all great guys,young guys most of them,from canada...i was 19,and the guys were all nice to me,they let me play their instruments after or before sound check--even roger let me play his awesome 12-string acoustic guitar,i don't remember what brand,but it was sweet! i miss the old days...even then i knew of jaco pastorius,but wasn't at all familiar with his music or anything-i had only just discovered the psychedelic furs,and inxs,and howard jones,it seems 1985 was a great time for music in general--i wish we could just snap back to that year--wouldn't that be great?

[@MetalheadYA]

+tinfoilhatter yeah, Marcus certainly was a disciple of Jaco... I am Tony Simmons that you replied to a year ago.. This is a different utube account... the 80's were a fun time for us in our teens and twenties but most of the music didn't survive the test of time... it sounds like the 80's now when I hear it again... its gone.... dig the music though man... keep on lovin it if u can....

[@tinfoilhatter]

MetalheadYA hey! the music is the greatest,i mean from the 80's,90's,of course also before and after...but wow! to me,it's the people if anything,not standing the test of time..the music will live forever! ah,but then so will we,so will we,- according to oasis!

[@tinfoilhatter]

weiland will live forever-have you heard 'happy in galoshes'? it's the greatest thing ever!

[@echoman911]

thnx for the post...gr8 musician...so many think it is low to play the bass.but they forget that it is the foundation to gr8 MUSIC..

[@TimMeyerMusic]

I can barely grasp the magnitude of musical wisdom in such a young person.....these gifts to us are so rare and too often fleeting.

[@igy2008]

a must for everyone who has followed Jaco's career. I wonder what other great material lies somewhere. in 200 years history will celebrate the work of geniuses like Jaco and Zawinul.

[@pilsnrimgaard2507]

7:51 Chet Thompson, Joe Zulwinal,Jaco Pastorius, Alex Acuna, and Wayne Shorter. a match made in heaven.

[@paulA-xs1qt]

Would have loved to have seen him in concert 😢

[@neutonikharmonix]

thank you!

[@PhuckHue2]

great interview, August 1978.

[@davidlis8756]

Jaco had every right to be as arrogant as he wanted to be. He was and still is the greatest bass player to ever walk the planet. He was once quoted as saying that "Stanley Clarke ain't shit". And at the time, he was right.

[@thebro3377]

It wasn't a cocky asshole-ish arrogance... it was an arrogance that had reason, because not only did he say he was the best, he PROVED and BACKED UP that he was the best

[@perrysar5954]

JACO..."I'm the best reader in the world,one take ,done"...this man was from another planet...thanks Jaco for visiting this planet!

[@flame-sky7148]

Yea, CBS blew it again a year later, when they let that engineer messed up the last four tunes on 8:30. They were going to have a live River People, Mr. Gone, Young and Fine, and Waterfall/In a Silent Way. So then they had to include sightseeing, brown street, 8:30 and the orphan. Not bad, but WR live is where its all happening. Great interview, wish it could have been longer.

[@Primussucks81]

Awesome! Never new his influences until now.

[@santaclaws7207]

Great interview

[@martinheath5947]

I was at the Rainbow show in London. Amazing time

[@futilityroom]

Great interview. Brilliant musician...end of !

[@Johannes_SWE]

Thanks bud!

[@sprojojoing]

I love that album. It inspired me a lot.

[@ttrack9089]

What an amazing human being.

[@sprojojoing]

Anyone who recognizes that, is potentially an amazing human being ;)

[@manuelmendizabal5942]

I don’t understand those guys who said jaco was arrogant he wasn’t Miles was it’s easy to recognize the arrogance

[@bholaoates1542]

@@manuelmendizabal5942 Miles had to go through a helluva lot more than Jaco did, if you know what I mean.

[@jellyfish3333]

I read somewhere that Wayne Shorter was the real "Mr. Gone" on the album, as Jaco and Joe had pretty much taken over the band by that time. Hence, the album title!

[@ericmahar7202]

So good to hear him!

[@spactick]

It's interesting that so many musicians mention Henry Mancini as their influence or that he was a great composer.

[@bobbyd1019]

Jaco was a musical genius!!!

[@Miguel...160]

no , really

[@HectorJulioSanchezInda]

El Gran Maestro de Todos los Bajistas del Mundo!!!. Gracias Gran Maestro!!!!.

[@costuorzolo]

God bless Jaco...thank you.

[@TheAlmightyBassist]

My bass instructor played basketball with pastorius before. Said he was a very quiet but nice guy.

[@Auntkekebaby]

It's great to hear his voice

[@sprojojoing]

You're welcome Mary. :) I grabbed it from bassist Rick Suchow's site, but only 'cause I felt it had to be heard by as many people as possible who love Jaco.

[@duncanmeyer2670]

Sad....another bass player John Monahan was bi-polar and died needlessly in a mental hospital. Need to do more for our people with mental problems. Lost too many that could have been cured.

[@robertbrown6879]

Tough to do. Maybe near impossible. Saw a KZbin video done by one bipolar guy that finally got on his meds and stayed on them and it worked for him after it destroyed his relationships. From what I can tell, he was one of the very lucky ones. Even if a person gets on their meds it sounds like it is only temporary for many or most.

[@sprojojoing]

@PvtParts111 Thanks for sharing that "info" :)

[@chungiemunchin]

The cat could read music and play that which he read, as if it were coming from his insides instead of up off a sheet of paper. As a sight reader, there was none better.

[@Zeppolino100]

Same thing happened when some of the empathetic and more aware of the policemen at the jail gave him new clothes. Jaco was like a character out of Doestoevsky.

[@afteryard]

I wished people would stop calling people who know what they are doing arrogant. It only shows the insecurity in themselves. I play the bass too and I for one can say that to play any instrument good, you need to have confidence in yourself, your playing and most of all in who you yourself are, else it sounds crap. I dont find Jaco or any other artistic minded person arrogant. To be good You need to feel good and most of all, have an open mindset. In this way of thinking there is no arrogance.

[@silviak2CANZONIsuMISURA]

Well, I don't think it's about "who did what first". It's about the influence, the impact. Was Jimi Hendrix the first to use distorted guitars or a wah-wah pedal? Did The Edge invented the use of ping-pong rhythmic delays? Did Van Halen come up with tapping? That's what they mean when they say "Jaco invented fretless bass". Hell, there was just the upright until someone thought to build a bass-guitar and put frets on the neck! But Jaco made the fretless what it is.

[@FUNKMASTERFOURTWO]

what an inspiration love jaco forever rob

[@gregoryfvalentine4132]

Such a legend. One of my idols

[@namtil]

Jaco's talking about Earle Hagan, a great American composer who's perhaps best-known for the many TV show themes he wrote.

[@mrrockybass]

wonderful never knew Birdland was done in one take!

[@elbaz7haim]

i dont know what u have against bass players or jaco specificly, and its ur right not to like his music, but saying that he's just 'an ok bass player' is unarguably wrong.

[@Laubzeck]

Good ole Jaco ... such a kindred spirit. Sad though that he blew it that hard ... had music business not been the slave market it is, he may have still lived. There is so much hysteria in this it's bound to destroy genius

[@kengagnon6192]

cool interview

[@blacktulip1915]

Jaco has said that he never "wanted" to take lessons, and reluctantly learned to read, but he said that both were important. Jaco is more than OK, not sure what you play, but bass is the foundation. There is an excellent video of him being interviewed and playing that I wish I could find that shows/talks about his playing that clearly states/shows this.

[@sprojojoing]

just a tad late response, but You propably are talking about Jaco's "Modern Electric Bass" - Video. Excellent video and foundation to bass playing. That video was at least my only lesson i've ever had :)

[@alancats]

Imagine if Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jaco had been able to meet up and jam...it's just tantalizing to think about what could have happened as far as collaborations had each of these great guitarists not died at such a young age. Still, my attitude is, let's be thankful that they had a chance to shine and will live on forever as long as people listen to music.

[@Zeppolino100]

Damned Straight!!!

[@vbassone]

“This cat can play no more drums than nobody.” Lmao!!!!

[@ericaglans3549]

[@Zombbg4]

What I find interesting and amazing is how Jaco's music practically birthed Hadrien Feraud. who I believe to be one of if not the best modern bass player. The Jaco of our time in a sense, only not such a wild man like Jaco...but he is French lol

[@namtil]

@ivanhoe8591 Thanks for your reply. I wish I could take the credit for posting this interview, but I've merely made a couple of comments on it. It sounds like your reaction was pretty much like every other bass player's (including mine) upon hearing Jaco, especially during the period of 1976-82. Regards.

[@MrMrh1958]

What ever Jaco did in life he would have been the best!✌️

[@modelleg]

The candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

[@daan.v4556]

soo true

[@silviak2CANZONIsuMISURA]

Good for you, he's the master nowadays!

[@MegaJackofhearts]

finally someone who understands

[@Wadj1]

Besides, I agree with Jaco, it ain't braggin' if you can back it up.

[@swordsinging1709]

He Wuuuzzz Special.

[@WTHFX]

Arrogance is what lessors accuse of their betters. Jaco, as this interview clearly shows, was entirely self-made. A poor kid from the streets who became an instrument of inspiration.

[@sprojojoing]

no problemo. Glad you liked it.

[@iceberg220]

@aaronamccoy According to the books he said it so many times at the beginning of his career when he introduced himself. Later on he didn't have to anymore. And of course he wasn't bragging. He was the best.

[@namtil]

Thank you. What I said is only a "best guess", but I think it is a reasonable partial explanation.

[@calvinlotz]

:25 Peter Eskine with the sweater/t-shirt look...

[@percyvolnar8010]

Its weird hearing Jaco talk about Joe like this because they fought something fierce. They clashed non-stop the entire time according to Wayne Shorter and Peter Erskine.

[@mikeymigs1]

@PvtParts111 my dad was friends with him and if he ever saw him around jaco would run over to my dad and talk to him and my dad says he wasnt arrogant

[@sprojojoing]

@cjs1776 I'm glad you like it.

[@Batteristo]

This is great. ." I like to showup!" What he said about t.v. music is true. The one good thing I personally got from t.v.

[@ZappaFan101]

@DoubleTakeJazzDuo ha! ok, you got me. I love em both though, they were so bold when it came to music.

[@LoveandHavoc]

People have their own issues with giving ourselves the credit we deserve. I think it is stupid to put that on other people who know they can deliver on something, especially Jaco. People call him arrogant, but he's only saying the truth. He may honestly be one of the few people that can praise himself so highly and not sound like a douche. He still has a humble and polite air about it. He's not saying he is the greatest person to ever walk the earth. He just knows he's one bad dude when he hops on his instruments. I think people get uncomfortable with themselves when Jaco talks highly of themselves, cause he obviously backs it up time and time again.

[@sprojojoing]

Attaboy :)