Jacko: is that the video where Jaco is so fowled up that you can't even believe that the producer agreed to do the shoot that day?
OK. Now I have to tell my Jaco story.
During my long tenure with the Evil Empire (Guitar Center), I and another gentleman, were in charge of building Bass Departments in the new stores that were being built.
I was in Hollywood, Florida opening up the first Florida GC store. And it was my first time out on a grand opening too.
Anyway, it's grand opening night. (if you've ever been to one of these you know what I'm about to say here is true)There were about 700 people in the store that night and the ambient noise level was about 110dB. (OSHA would close the place down or at the very least, issue earplugs to all that entered)
Anyway, I was ringing up a guy for a Crate BX-50 bass amp when all of sudden, behind me, amidst the ambient noise of 700 would-be pro guitarist all vying for title of loudest shredder, I hear this sound of fretless bass that I hadheard before. But, could not remember where. I was intrigued to say the least.
I hurredly took the guys money for the amplificator and rushed him out the door and to his car so I could find the source of this strangely, beautiful noise.
I rushed back into the bass department and into the back corner. I found a little kid hunched over a Pedulla Pentabuzz bass. I couldn't see his face because he was just lost in what he was doing and had his face buried in the bass. All I could see was this rainbow colored beanie bobbing a little bit to the grooves he was laying down.
I think I said something like: Wow. How are you doing that. That's amazing All of a sudden, this kid looked up at me. I think time must have frozen for a moment. It was Felix Pastorius. I was floored. I was amazed. I was honored.
For the next hour plus, the bass department turned into the Jaco Pastorius Bass Consortium. One by one, bass players started realizing what was going on and they would grab a bass, a cord and plug into an unused amp. I'm certain the entire solo library was played by the time we were done.
At some point, I had stopped playing and struck up a converstaion with his mom, Jaco's wife. She was really sweet. She actually asked me if I would consider being Felix's teacher. To this day I never been so flattered. I thanked her and informed her that I lived in Texas. And, if I could afford to, I would fly to Florida every week and take lessons from him myself. She really didn't realize that her 13 year old son already had the ability to set the world on fire. We talked some more that evening. We exchanged numbers and stayed in toiuch for several years after that. I've lost touch with them since I left the Industry of Bass.
But, there it is, another Doc Story from the Road.
I guess Felix is probably about 27 now. Anyone know what he's up too? Maybe I'll dig up his mom's number and give her call.
