I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Jeff a few times in social settings during the year before his death and I would bet that no one who ever met him didn't love him. He was just that kind of guy, intense yet sensitive and made even a nobody like me feel worth talking to. A talent that came from the heart of the man just as his music did.
Round up? Do you know the inhalation LD/50 for Round Up? It's the number of milligrams of undiluted pesticide per kilogram of body weight needed to kill 50% of a test group of pests. How much did Jeff weigh? Convert to kg and compute how many mg needed for a lethal dose (LD).
I worked with pesticides for over 25 years. I always followed label directions (federal law) and wore required PPE. There ARE people who are allergic to certain pesticides. To have gone as long as he did without a reaction.....?????
omg yes, that stuff can easily kill if you used that much.....i am very sensitive to chemicals and have to stay inside when they spray to kill some sort of moth. when i go out, i cannot breathe and am nauseous; it takes me 2 days to get my body back to normal.
Jeff was a personal friend, I think the interview sucked. Just remember coke had nothing to do with it. That rumor was started by 3M, yes the big ass company that made the poison that killed him. They were afraid of the law suit that may come at the time. I have never bought a 3M product since, knowingly. Yes coke was in the industry everywhere. Have you ever heard of a total druggie drummer that was wanted by everyone?? Me neither !!! Bunch of B.S. No one could ruin the Porcaro's name.
@emmetwhitey Wow , wish you were here. I guess its easy for a coward to type something like that. I worked for Jeff for many years, I still work for Joe, his Dad, along with about 50 other great studio musicians daily. If you are thinking about being a artist of any kind, give it up, you are clueless, classless and very careless !!
@NYtoTX I can't think of who wanted Tommy Lee ?? He is good for what he does. drugs have always been in this biz and always will be !! Jeff was level headed.
my freind told me he used to jam with jeff. I do landscaping for this guy. he siad jeff died from spraying round up while it was windy outside. he sprayed his weeds. the round up got into his lungs and killed him. crazy
From what I have heard...it was a combination of cocaine use that had already damaged the heart, and the pesticide poisoning. Regardless of the real cause of death, we lost an amazing musician and an amazing man.
This brought tears to my eyes. i am a drummer, a fan of Toto, & a huge fan of Jeff Porcoro, and Im part of the Truth movement.
For the mainstream media to cover up the Truth just cuz Jeff would not sell out his family values and talent for touring with Madonna and other demoralizing genres of music -- the Good die young becuz of the evil in the world. I believe Jeff was murdered... why else would they lie about the cause of his death?
You ignorant people. I am for sure against any kind of drugs but what Jeff took or didn`t take is not our business. What is our business is making young drummers of today aware of Jeff Porcaro and his incredibly deeply felt pocket and feel before they get sucked into the world of Joey Jordison and Travis Barker. No offence. Jeff was the ultimate drummer. A true cat with a deeelish groove. Greetings from Norway.
I knew the family, it was NOT cocaine, it was heart failure due to an allergic reaction to pesticides. And it wasnt fast it took a couple of days. He was in agony and probably given pain medication which will give an opiate positive. Jeff didnt mess with drugs at that time in his life period. The heart has histamine releasing cells and any strong reaction like that can cause the coronary arteries to spasm and a resulting heart attack/death. Severe allergic reactions are very bad news.
Anyone who knew Jeff after the kids were born will tell you, he was NOWHERE near drugs. He was in pain during the poisoning incident and may have been given some medication that caused a false cocaine positive. The poisoning reaction was very serious and by itself may have killed him. But Jeff was far from drugs at that point in his life. Thats why his wife is so keen on killing the silly rumors. Ive seen many others that played with drugs during that era, but Jeff wasnt one of them.
@weather01089 cocaine kills almost instantly it over revs the heart and explodes it also causes the muscle itself to fail,!! sounds like a posioning 2 me especially if he was alergic to any of the componets of pesticide itself
You will be always missed, Jeff. It's truly unfair, that he had to go so soon and personally I wouldn't believe a word that cocaine had part of Jeff's early death.
It is ridiculous that a former president can have a history of using cocaine and not have his judgement questioned, yet when a brilliant musician uses a pesticide in his own garden and has a fatal reaction, he is the poster child for cocaine abuse! My sympathies and prayers are with the Porcaro family, who I am sure have endured enough bad press regarding their loved one. I pray that when President Bush dies, his cocaine use will be publicized as a contributing factor in his death, as well.
@michaelc383 Hey asshole....we have a CURRENT president that has admitted to regular cocaine use. You must have forgotten that one, huh? But I guess your heroin addiction affects your memory and judgement.
Enough already -- what did the coroner's report say? IF no coke in the blood - End of story. IF coke -- End of story. IF major amounts of pesticide in blood -- lawsuit. Whatever, but someone knows exactly how he died. It's not in the media, and there was no lawsuit.....hmm
pesticides killed him. he had a previous heart condition that was undiagnosed and when the pesticides kicked in her had and instant heart attack.... R.I.P HE IS ONE OF MY INFLUENCES...MUCH LOVE
I remember this! :( Drug use?! I thought he died from an allergetic reaction to some stuff he was using in his garden...that's what was going around, when it first happened??
So maybe Jeff did a few lines (like so many did especially in those days) but I'd much more blame his smoking habit but in the end it doesn't matter... the master is gone but his legacy lives on.
What does make me really sad at this moment is that his brother Mike suffers from ALS. Life can be very very unfair :(
IF it's REALLY that important that you know if Jeff died of coke or a pesticide, talk to the studio musicians that worked with him. It's USELESS information in the end. What will you do with this information? Is there ANY way you can use this information in a positive way? NO! Will it bring Jeff back? NO! Will it stop a person from using pesticides or drugs? NO and NO! I'd say we have enough work taking care of our own selves. We know what to do and not to do. Now it's time to be productive.
It doesn't matter how he died. He was unmatched at laying down a groove. He was a family man as well as a true gentleman. My favorite song as a kid was Lowdown, and I still love to play it.
He died for some fucking rotten pesticide he used in his garden assholes, he did not die for cocaine abuse...Mass Media is a MAYOR EVIL wich intends to close society´s eyes..don´t do so.
@beowulven - yeah except that he WAS a great drummer. No matter what style you listen to you can't deny that Porcaro was a great drummer and had amazing feel in his playing. I don't know if you're just trying to get under people's skin, but to think his drumming is whatever, I'm not really sure where you're coming from on that one.
This NOT CNN, gang, no matter what the poster said. It is clearly from Entertainment Tonight when Pat O'Brien was a sometimes host. Most recently the show was a project of Paramount Television, which morphed into CBS Television Distribution. CNN is NOT CBS. In any event, a tragic story and a great loss. Jeff is still remembered after all these years for his talent, and not any stories circulated at the time of his death. What a loss. And so young!
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Bottom line, you can't be a coke head and play drums like that wonderful son of a bitch did. Show me someone who says he can and I'll show you a bald faced liar.
IT'S ABOUT **** time SOMEBODY CLUED FOLKS. To Groove the way he did, you HAVE to stay as clean as you can.
He had THREE KIDS.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS killed a 17 year old cousin of mine. Jeff and Joel both died fo the same thing. Blow had NOTHING to do with it. It's a residual thing I don't believe the bullcrap for ONE SECOND.
Do you truly believe that a great musician cannot also be a drug user? Is Jeff's bandmate lying when he describes how they'd go to sessions and there'd be rows of lines out on the table like a cocaine buffet? I'm not saying anything either way about Jeff - just about the reality of drug use in music. Coke was a part of life in the music biz in those days, and still is around to a lesser extent. *If* it did play a role in his death he wasn't the first or the last sadly...FUCK COCAINE.
And let me add that I say this as someone with tremendous love and respect for Jeff. I believe you can be a great person and still fall victim to drug abuse. Cocaine is garbage that has destroyed too many wonderful lives.
I'm a pro touring drummer and let me tell you firsthand that coke is still alive and well in the music biz. Not quite as bad the LA session scene of the 80's was but I've lately seen a lot of people go down in flames because of it, not to mention booze and heroin. Many musicians feel a sense of invincibility until it happens to them. It doesn't make them bad people either. Just bad choices.
@groovecreature It is true that cocaine sucks..however, the doctors are right...the coke in his bloodstream probably did not really contribute to his death; so, once again, we are stuck in the media. A group of talentless, jealous wannabes, who will do anything for a story, even ruining people's reputations.
We all have our vices, we all have issues, we all are gonna die. It is what makes us Human ! He/She who says it could never happen to them is in naive denial.
Much thanks for posting this video despite the poor quality - I myself was skeptical about the pesticide story, and this video makes is clear. I remember the day I heard the tragic news, such a hard loss to all of us who admired him so VERY much.
Jeff inspired me to start playing drums 3 years ago and I still play to this very day. I wish I couldve met him, but he died b4 i was born. RIP man. You'll always live on
In the early eighties the effects of using cocaine on the long term were not known. It really does not matter if he died because of cocaine or pesticide. It`s been tragic enough to lose such a great musician. The guy was a rythm genius.
Jeff seemed like such a class act. I remember seeing him judging a drum contest at a Simi Valley music store. It was him, John Robinson, can't remember the 3rd. He was just a regular guy, hanging out with the rest of us, enjoying the show. No airs.
How tragic his death was. Such a talent. And it seemed, a great husband and father.
Media and critics should be ashamed of smearing Jeff's name...hope this vid (though scratchy) puts paid to the rumours that it was cocaine as the cause of death. My prayers n blessings to you Susan, your sons and to Jeffs family, omg I feel soooooo sorry for you, I wish I got to meet Jeff, but he lives on in the music I listen to so much. God Bless.
Of course Jeff used cocaine, name a single musician during the 80's that did not. But the post revealed TRACE amounts of cocaine in his system, something that can be there for years. He died from an anaphylactic reaction to a pesticide.
I was in a funk for a week after he died. He was one of the greatest groove-masters to ever pick up a pair of sticks
DON'T READ THIS! in 1945 a man was wallking down the streets at 4:34am no one was arround. it was pitch black. sudenly! a man came running down and killed him by stabbing him. the man then took hime somwere and no one evere new were the man took him.
in 2000 a girl found him in a bath tub in a swamp. unless you post this comment to 10 othere videos. the dead man will hunt you for 5 years. do it before 1 hour. hurry!
Google "Anaphylactic Shock". The Dursban set off a chain-reaction of events that caused a fatal heart attack. I actually survived anaphylactic shock; it's damned terrifying to realize your throat's closing up....
Porcaro was definitely the guy you call when you needed someone to do a take and be perfect and to sight read the whole session. He is one of the baddest studio drummers ever. For those who have no or very little in the way of studio chops it's very hard. He was a man among boys.
What a sad story... He'll always be one of my favorite drummers... If there was one drummer who learned me how to play the "real" shuffle... it was Jeff...
Given the times, If Jeff did Coke, those were good times for him, He is always missed, Sorry He is gone, My favorite Drummer, I've learned alot, listening, and watching him!! R.I.P. Jeff
maybe he didn't die from cocaine abuse, but he, Toto and most of the friggin' music industry used krell in the seventies and eighties. That just how it was - and I don't blame them. To quote Rick James: "Cocaine's a hell of a drug"
Jeff's heart attack was triggered by anaphylactic shock. If you've never experienced anaphylactic shock, you have no idea how frightening the situation can be.
I lived through it. Jeff's reaction was to Dursban. Mine was to tampons, but life-threatening allergic reaction CAN kill somebody. Jeff's family lost two guys to heart attacks way before he died. )Two of Jeff's uncles). There were many MANY other factors involved than blow.... the marlboro reds didn't help him any.
no he didn't. he ate very unhealthy. his heart was already bad from junk food, therefore, he had an undiagnosed heart condition. the pesticide finished the job.
The coke rumor is complete dogshit; it's not right and never will be. Jeff was the most sought after studio drummer in the entire musical industry, and it was one of the most heart-felt saddened announcements I've ever heard. All of Toto are brilliant musicians
& writters. If anyone knows music, they'll know that Jeff & Steve Lukather played on most everyone's tracks, from Steely Dan to Streisand.
Jeff Porcaro will always be missed. One of the most fantastic drummers of all time. From jaw-dropping odd beats to no-frills rock thunder, he was great. He did NOT die of drugs. He was as serious as anybody, had a family and everything. He died of an allergic reaction to pesticide - sad but true.
I started playing drums well after this happened; but I now realize why every drummer and instructor I met that grew up with Jeff Porcaro as an inspiration, all said they cried the day he passed on.
I owe so much to Jeff. He continues to give me inspiration to this day. He is my all time favorite. I wish he was still here. Rest in peace to Jeff Porcaro.
Absolutely heartbreaking. A huge loss for his family, and for his fans. My biggest inspiration. I always play his signature break when performing live, and I dedicate it to him every single time.
God Bless Jeff Porcaro, the best pecussionist ever. Even on obscure albums by Patti Austin 'The Real Me', and 'Soldiers on the Moon', by David Lasley, his signature sound was unique. He always served the song. What a great loss.
Thanks for posting. He was a great loss for all of us who loved his music, but most of all to his beloved family. He was the backbone of Toto. Seems to have been a great guy who deserves the best legacy. Peace and love to his family. RIP.
One of the worst days of my was life was when I heard on the radio he died. His grooves are seared permanently in my brain and his Rosanna groove is unforgettable.
I use to listen to Toto IV till the tape wore out, and had his picture on all my folders at school. I was a bit shocked when he died. Listen to his grooves with Bozz Scaggs, just so talented.
I still remember the day I listened to 'Hold the line'. I thought it was so inspirational. It made me learn the drum set and make a living out of playing it. This guy is responsible for it.
Bowman; go back and listen carefully to the clip. The doctors at the ER treated Jeff for "Pesticide Poisoning".......he died of toxic shock due to exposure to too much Dursban insecticide. It sticks to everything-including the lining of the lungs.
Echdrum; I survived anaphylactic shock (totally different reason than Dursban), but I tell you it is a very frightening situation to go through. I lost a cousin to hardening of the arteries before Joel was 20 years old. Hardening of the arteries is GENETIC. Jeff ...was a MONSTER player whose music I miss even today. He was and still is a true inspiration to many. This clip puts to be a lot of rumor.
Nobody plays like Jeff did. He had a magic touch, a way to make the music really groove. Too bad I never saw him perform live. Maybe I see him in heaven one day. :)
I wouldn't doubt that he may have tried a few lines here and there. Most musicians at that time did, and most of them still do. I don't believe he was a "USER" per say. He was a top notch drummer and percussionist, and I don't believe a regular drug addict can play some of the very musical and complex rhythmic patterns that he did.
Jeff Porcaro, the greatest percussionist there ever was. Besides the obvious hits and Toto albums, check out hidden gems like his playing on David Lasley's 'Soldiers on the Moon', and Clapton's 'Behind the Sun'. Elton John's 1982 album, the highlight being 'Princess', is also a standout. No hired-hand ever served a song better. God Bless you and keep you, Jeff.
Thanks for posting kuminamoja - your copy of the report is infinitely better than the others up (they don't exist (yet!)) and certainly mine - I don't have one! Thanks for posting. Toto are playing my town soon but it won't be the same without Jeff (God rest his soul). Peace.
i think from what i heard Porcaro died from a reaction between breathing in the pesticide and had a reaction partially with the drugs in his system. does anyone know more?
Obelisk: Jeff died of anaphylactic shock (allergic reaction) to Dursban (a pesticide) that isn't sold anymore now. He had a hereditary heart condition (artherosclerosis). Hardening of the arteries is genetic. (It also killed a cousin of mine and Joel was 13). Heart issues and pesticides like Dursban do not mix, as the pesticide is tacky and sticks to hair, skin, clothes...and, unfortunately, the linings of the lungs if a person breathes it in.
Yeah; that's a great tune for McD's vocal, but Jeff's groove makes it even better. There's so many tunes Jeff played on. I sometimes wonder what we've MISSED over the past 15 years with him not physically being here anymore. I don't think the US music scene would be as crap as it is now were he still around. Everything he touched had a sense of class to it. Integrity.
Jeff porcaro est décédé par un arrêt du coeur. Il a été au travail dans son jardin avec un pesticide à tuer la mauvaise herbe . Étant donné que jeff a eu un coeur faible par une dérogation congénitale grâce à la quelle le coeur n'a pas tenu tête à le contact avec le pesticide. J'espère que tu ne le comprends pas tellement déjà ma français es trop meilleur
The music and movie industry is all about partying and drugs. Most of the slime in Hollywood I wouldn't give a rats ass if they died . . but why Jeff.
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking with Jeff a few times in social settings during the year before his death and I would bet that no one who ever met him didn't love him. He was just that kind of guy, intense yet sensitive and made even a nobody like me feel worth talking to. A talent that came from the heart of the man just as his music did.
runamuckchuck 1 week ago
What's with the white box that keeps appearing and blocking the video?
G8GT364CI 1 month ago
Damn media...all wrong.
skot66 3 months ago
What's the musical excerpt at the very beginning? The one that sounds like a guitar playing. Is it from a Toto song? I want to find it.
MsAussie83 4 months ago
@MsAussie83 It's the toto song I won't hold you back....
kuminamoja 3 months ago
Round up? Do you know the inhalation LD/50 for Round Up? It's the number of milligrams of undiluted pesticide per kilogram of body weight needed to kill 50% of a test group of pests. How much did Jeff weigh? Convert to kg and compute how many mg needed for a lethal dose (LD).
frankrizzo51 4 months ago
I worked with pesticides for over 25 years. I always followed label directions (federal law) and wore required PPE. There ARE people who are allergic to certain pesticides. To have gone as long as he did without a reaction.....?????
frankrizzo51 4 months ago
omg yes, that stuff can easily kill if you used that much.....i am very sensitive to chemicals and have to stay inside when they spray to kill some sort of moth. when i go out, i cannot breathe and am nauseous; it takes me 2 days to get my body back to normal.
sharonb7323 5 months ago
Using cocaine should not make one thought of as a "bad person." Re "functioning" many folks use cocaine, alas, TO function.
JonWRowe 5 months ago
Jeff was a personal friend, I think the interview sucked. Just remember coke had nothing to do with it. That rumor was started by 3M, yes the big ass company that made the poison that killed him. They were afraid of the law suit that may come at the time. I have never bought a 3M product since, knowingly. Yes coke was in the industry everywhere. Have you ever heard of a total druggie drummer that was wanted by everyone?? Me neither !!! Bunch of B.S. No one could ruin the Porcaro's name.
georgec2468 6 months ago
@georgec2468 Don't Even Pretend Like You Knew , Let Alone Ever Even Met Jeff , Your So Full Of Shit
emmetwhitey 5 months ago
@emmetwhitey Wow , wish you were here. I guess its easy for a coward to type something like that. I worked for Jeff for many years, I still work for Joe, his Dad, along with about 50 other great studio musicians daily. If you are thinking about being a artist of any kind, give it up, you are clueless, classless and very careless !!
georgec2468 4 months ago
@georgec2468 Well, Tommy Lee is/was a druggie drummer everyone wanted. But I'm not saying this Jeff guy was.
NYtoTX 4 months ago
@NYtoTX I can't think of who wanted Tommy Lee ?? He is good for what he does. drugs have always been in this biz and always will be !! Jeff was level headed.
georgec2468 4 months ago
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@georgec2468
"Have you ever heard of a total druggie drummer that was wanted by everyone??" Steve Gadd?
TJH3113 2 months ago
my freind told me he used to jam with jeff. I do landscaping for this guy. he siad jeff died from spraying round up while it was windy outside. he sprayed his weeds. the round up got into his lungs and killed him. crazy
skateboard4415 9 months ago
From what I have heard...it was a combination of cocaine use that had already damaged the heart, and the pesticide poisoning. Regardless of the real cause of death, we lost an amazing musician and an amazing man.
drummerman31 10 months ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
I saw Jeff Porcaro snort cocaine off of Boz Scaggs stiff prick.
FreeBlwJobJudyKhan 10 months ago
This brought tears to my eyes. i am a drummer, a fan of Toto, & a huge fan of Jeff Porcoro, and Im part of the Truth movement.
For the mainstream media to cover up the Truth just cuz Jeff would not sell out his family values and talent for touring with Madonna and other demoralizing genres of music -- the Good die young becuz of the evil in the world. I believe Jeff was murdered... why else would they lie about the cause of his death?
RIP Jeff Porcoro
signsoftwentytwelve 11 months ago
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You ignorant people. I am for sure against any kind of drugs but what Jeff took or didn`t take is not our business. What is our business is making young drummers of today aware of Jeff Porcaro and his incredibly deeply felt pocket and feel before they get sucked into the world of Joey Jordison and Travis Barker. No offence. Jeff was the ultimate drummer. A true cat with a deeelish groove. Greetings from Norway.
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dudy71 1 year ago
Makes me sad. I admit it. He's my favorite drummer. Seemed like such a great guy too. I wish I could have met him.
danlc95 1 year ago
I knew the family, it was NOT cocaine, it was heart failure due to an allergic reaction to pesticides. And it wasnt fast it took a couple of days. He was in agony and probably given pain medication which will give an opiate positive. Jeff didnt mess with drugs at that time in his life period. The heart has histamine releasing cells and any strong reaction like that can cause the coronary arteries to spasm and a resulting heart attack/death. Severe allergic reactions are very bad news.
weather01089 1 year ago
Anyone who knew Jeff after the kids were born will tell you, he was NOWHERE near drugs. He was in pain during the poisoning incident and may have been given some medication that caused a false cocaine positive. The poisoning reaction was very serious and by itself may have killed him. But Jeff was far from drugs at that point in his life. Thats why his wife is so keen on killing the silly rumors. Ive seen many others that played with drugs during that era, but Jeff wasnt one of them.
weather01089 1 year ago
@weather01089 cocaine kills almost instantly it over revs the heart and explodes it also causes the muscle itself to fail,!! sounds like a posioning 2 me especially if he was alergic to any of the componets of pesticide itself
dragon21247 1 year ago
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Check out Jeff Porcaro RIP being honored on SoulDrummers . com
fnkdrmmr 1 year ago
You will be always missed, Jeff. It's truly unfair, that he had to go so soon and personally I wouldn't believe a word that cocaine had part of Jeff's early death.
LifeXite 1 year ago
Who cares how he died? He died.
Either way... whatever the fuck happened..... it's just painfully sad.
RIP Jeff.
patton303 1 year ago
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michaelc383 1 year ago
It is ridiculous that a former president can have a history of using cocaine and not have his judgement questioned, yet when a brilliant musician uses a pesticide in his own garden and has a fatal reaction, he is the poster child for cocaine abuse! My sympathies and prayers are with the Porcaro family, who I am sure have endured enough bad press regarding their loved one. I pray that when President Bush dies, his cocaine use will be publicized as a contributing factor in his death, as well.
michaelc383 1 year ago 2
@michaelc383 Hey asshole....we have a CURRENT president that has admitted to regular cocaine use. You must have forgotten that one, huh? But I guess your heroin addiction affects your memory and judgement.
jerrywitaj 1 year ago 3
This story always puts me in a bad mood. It isn't fair that such a great guy suffered a tragic and sudden death. He was truly one of the greatest.
WillyLee23 1 year ago 2
From what I heard, there was a TRACE AMOUNT of cocaine. It was the pesticides along with the undiagnosed heart condition.
mjs3888 1 year ago
Enough already -- what did the coroner's report say? IF no coke in the blood - End of story. IF coke -- End of story. IF major amounts of pesticide in blood -- lawsuit. Whatever, but someone knows exactly how he died. It's not in the media, and there was no lawsuit.....hmm
artdrtr 1 year ago
pesticides killed him. he had a previous heart condition that was undiagnosed and when the pesticides kicked in her had and instant heart attack.... R.I.P HE IS ONE OF MY INFLUENCES...MUCH LOVE
josevidal1234 1 year ago
I remember this! :( Drug use?! I thought he died from an allergetic reaction to some stuff he was using in his garden...that's what was going around, when it first happened??
my10hearts 1 year ago
So maybe Jeff did a few lines (like so many did especially in those days) but I'd much more blame his smoking habit but in the end it doesn't matter... the master is gone but his legacy lives on.
What does make me really sad at this moment is that his brother Mike suffers from ALS. Life can be very very unfair :(
knikanderrr 1 year ago
RIP
pfftw 1 year ago
jeff was the ultimate drummer,
style, dexterity and versatility.
the real groove master
Prosopagnosia11 1 year ago
IF it's REALLY that important that you know if Jeff died of coke or a pesticide, talk to the studio musicians that worked with him. It's USELESS information in the end. What will you do with this information? Is there ANY way you can use this information in a positive way? NO! Will it bring Jeff back? NO! Will it stop a person from using pesticides or drugs? NO and NO! I'd say we have enough work taking care of our own selves. We know what to do and not to do. Now it's time to be productive.
DrumTchr 1 year ago
couldnt of sed that betta myself ......
funkytoe42 1 year ago
It doesn't matter how he died. He was unmatched at laying down a groove. He was a family man as well as a true gentleman. My favorite song as a kid was Lowdown, and I still love to play it.
acfinney 2 years ago
He played on so many other Artist Albums He was Great!!!!!! you still hear him on the Radio everyday
Koonie46 2 years ago
He died for some fucking rotten pesticide he used in his garden assholes, he did not die for cocaine abuse...Mass Media is a MAYOR EVIL wich intends to close society´s eyes..don´t do so.
andybata 2 years ago 7
This comment has received too many negative votes show
If people died from pesticide, no one would be left. Porcaro was a massive coke head. And his drumming was... whatever.
beowulven 2 years ago
@beowulven shut the fuck up you know shit abt music
anayaedgar 1 year ago
That means a lot coming from a 21 year old who lives in the armpit of the world. Good luck!
beowulven 1 year ago
@beowulven - yeah except that he WAS a great drummer. No matter what style you listen to you can't deny that Porcaro was a great drummer and had amazing feel in his playing. I don't know if you're just trying to get under people's skin, but to think his drumming is whatever, I'm not really sure where you're coming from on that one.
sfberk 1 year ago
how bizarre , i thought this guy was still alive, i even though i had watched a video of him playing drums quite recently lol. chirst, great drummer.
bastardtubeuser 2 years ago
This NOT CNN, gang, no matter what the poster said. It is clearly from Entertainment Tonight when Pat O'Brien was a sometimes host. Most recently the show was a project of Paramount Television, which morphed into CBS Television Distribution. CNN is NOT CBS. In any event, a tragic story and a great loss. Jeff is still remembered after all these years for his talent, and not any stories circulated at the time of his death. What a loss. And so young!
suziesbro 2 years ago
17 years today, RIP Jeff.
kwoncat 2 years ago 4
Well, thank you Modern Drummer magazine for lying and telling the readers Jeff dided from bladder cancer.
antibulletdodger101 2 years ago 3
we miss u jeff... (JEFF PORCARO - 1st april 1954 - 5th august 1992)...
audorep 2 years ago 4
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Bottom line, you can't be a coke head and play drums like that wonderful son of a bitch did. Show me someone who says he can and I'll show you a bald faced liar.
Jay435 2 years ago
THANK YOU!!!!!!
IT'S ABOUT **** time SOMEBODY CLUED FOLKS. To Groove the way he did, you HAVE to stay as clean as you can.
He had THREE KIDS.
ATHEROSCLEROSIS killed a 17 year old cousin of mine. Jeff and Joel both died fo the same thing. Blow had NOTHING to do with it. It's a residual thing I don't believe the bullcrap for ONE SECOND.
raincloudmusic1 2 years ago 2
Do you truly believe that a great musician cannot also be a drug user? Is Jeff's bandmate lying when he describes how they'd go to sessions and there'd be rows of lines out on the table like a cocaine buffet? I'm not saying anything either way about Jeff - just about the reality of drug use in music. Coke was a part of life in the music biz in those days, and still is around to a lesser extent. *If* it did play a role in his death he wasn't the first or the last sadly...FUCK COCAINE.
groovecreature 2 years ago 27
And let me add that I say this as someone with tremendous love and respect for Jeff. I believe you can be a great person and still fall victim to drug abuse. Cocaine is garbage that has destroyed too many wonderful lives.
Jeff Porcaro Forever!
groovecreature 2 years ago 5
@groovecreature
I'm a pro touring drummer and let me tell you firsthand that coke is still alive and well in the music biz. Not quite as bad the LA session scene of the 80's was but I've lately seen a lot of people go down in flames because of it, not to mention booze and heroin. Many musicians feel a sense of invincibility until it happens to them. It doesn't make them bad people either. Just bad choices.
patton303 1 year ago
@groovecreature It is true that cocaine sucks..however, the doctors are right...the coke in his bloodstream probably did not really contribute to his death; so, once again, we are stuck in the media. A group of talentless, jealous wannabes, who will do anything for a story, even ruining people's reputations.
MusicalDarkHorse 7 months ago
Um.
It's BOLD. BOLD faced liar.
kneedragger29 2 years ago 4
Um.
In point of fact, it's both.
Bald faced is very Newfoundland. Thdey love to alter. Cheers and as they say there: Very best!
Jay435 2 years ago
God what do I miss this guy!
Tricolores1979 2 years ago
RIP Jeff
You have inspired me even before I knew who you were.
clintstonedare1 2 years ago 2
This isn't CNN, it's Entertainment Tonight.
fivepiece 2 years ago
thought I could get a strait answer as to how the man died,but i can. at least not on here.
redn40 2 years ago 2
We all have our vices, we all have issues, we all are gonna die. It is what makes us Human ! He/She who says it could never happen to them is in naive denial.
kobyashi45 2 years ago
Much thanks for posting this video despite the poor quality - I myself was skeptical about the pesticide story, and this video makes is clear. I remember the day I heard the tragic news, such a hard loss to all of us who admired him so VERY much.
jcopen 2 years ago 2
Jeff inspired me to start playing drums 3 years ago and I still play to this very day. I wish I couldve met him, but he died b4 i was born. RIP man. You'll always live on
Hofferulz9 2 years ago
What's with the white band across the video?
Mitsy1212 2 years ago 4
In the early eighties the effects of using cocaine on the long term were not known. It really does not matter if he died because of cocaine or pesticide. It`s been tragic enough to lose such a great musician. The guy was a rythm genius.
001lessie 2 years ago
Jeff seemed like such a class act. I remember seeing him judging a drum contest at a Simi Valley music store. It was him, John Robinson, can't remember the 3rd. He was just a regular guy, hanging out with the rest of us, enjoying the show. No airs.
How tragic his death was. Such a talent. And it seemed, a great husband and father.
nitedrive 2 years ago
Media and critics should be ashamed of smearing Jeff's name...hope this vid (though scratchy) puts paid to the rumours that it was cocaine as the cause of death. My prayers n blessings to you Susan, your sons and to Jeffs family, omg I feel soooooo sorry for you, I wish I got to meet Jeff, but he lives on in the music I listen to so much. God Bless.
hamjamnspamalot 2 years ago 2
He was one hell of a drummer...he makes me love the song Mushanga..oh. R.I.P Jeff. Jah bless
BadSsen 2 years ago
and that would be Entertainment Tonight - NOT CNN
muzik027 2 years ago
Of course Jeff used cocaine, name a single musician during the 80's that did not. But the post revealed TRACE amounts of cocaine in his system, something that can be there for years. He died from an anaphylactic reaction to a pesticide.
I was in a funk for a week after he died. He was one of the greatest groove-masters to ever pick up a pair of sticks
southernrockdrummer 3 years ago 5
Loved Toto Live in paris circa 92ish i think (Drums at side of stage & Byron on vocals).
Jeff's Drumming was superb & his enjoyment really shone through (especially on Rossanna)
Doitchampions 3 years ago 2
I've got that dvd, it's magnificent!! Merry xmas!
fitnessisgood4u 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
DON'T READ THIS! in 1945 a man was wallking down the streets at 4:34am no one was arround. it was pitch black. sudenly! a man came running down and killed him by stabbing him. the man then took hime somwere and no one evere new were the man took him.
in 2000 a girl found him in a bath tub in a swamp. unless you post this comment to 10 othere videos. the dead man will hunt you for 5 years. do it before 1 hour. hurry!
krsytal500 3 years ago
I watched this clip over and over again... and still get goosebumps...
Where yould music be today if Jeff was still alive. Bro´, you are missed soo much!
It was a tough decision for his wife to talk to the media... The press should feel ashame after bashing Jeffs work and reputation!
funk76 3 years ago 3
I personally think he had a reaction to the pesticides he was using, but does it matter whether Jeff used cocaine or not?
EddieG1888 3 years ago 4
God bless your family and friends, Jeff. All my love...
mistrrhappy 3 years ago 2
Along with Zappa' passing 1 year later this was a very sad day for me. I called in sick for work and threw a party in his honor. RIP.
ruleoforder 3 years ago
Umm coke..notpesticice..innthose days..al those guys were doing coke by the tub full
augfive 3 years ago
Nope it wasn't the coke, it was just a bizarre gardening accident....
tuttt99 3 years ago 7
Google "Anaphylactic Shock". The Dursban set off a chain-reaction of events that caused a fatal heart attack. I actually survived anaphylactic shock; it's damned terrifying to realize your throat's closing up....
Blow had nothing to do with it.
raincloudmusic1 3 years ago 6
but its weird you did and he didnt. couldnt they do anything at the hospital. how did you get though it?
wendel88 2 years ago
What year did he pass away? this is very sad i had no idea.
76lovelight76 3 years ago
It was on August 5th, 1992. Incredible, 16 years ago!
katydied 3 years ago
Always my #1 favorite drummer.
danlc95 3 years ago 16
sad story:-( r.i.p porcaro where are hiss drums thise days???????
norwayfinland 3 years ago 2
Most of his drums are with his family---with his Dad and his nephew (who both play).
T
raincloudmusic1 3 years ago
ok thanks for the info ;-)
norwayfinland 3 years ago
Porcaro was definitely the guy you call when you needed someone to do a take and be perfect and to sight read the whole session. He is one of the baddest studio drummers ever. For those who have no or very little in the way of studio chops it's very hard. He was a man among boys.
Gretschdrums75 3 years ago 6
Gretschdrums...
"a Man among boys..."
Truer words were never typed. I"m told by those wh knew Jeff that he was a very humble man, very kind--hated to see poeple taken advantage of.
raincloudmusic1 3 years ago
What a sad story... He'll always be one of my favorite drummers... If there was one drummer who learned me how to play the "real" shuffle... it was Jeff...
andromeda1972 3 years ago
Thanks for the post! Long live the legacy of king jeff!
ctx52x 3 years ago
CNN? you mean ET
flatsignedbooks 3 years ago
Given the times, If Jeff did Coke, those were good times for him, He is always missed, Sorry He is gone, My favorite Drummer, I've learned alot, listening, and watching him!! R.I.P. Jeff
eddc1971 3 years ago
you placed the worst reaction ever,
as stated earlier, the tape was made by someone using a camcoder filming his tv screen.
If you have a better video of this please post it, or just don't watch again.
kuminamoja 3 years ago
Don't forget he smoked a lot. Cocaine is bad but smoking is far worse on your heart and arteries.
zep4life 3 years ago 2
maybe he didn't die from cocaine abuse, but he, Toto and most of the friggin' music industry used krell in the seventies and eighties. That just how it was - and I don't blame them. To quote Rick James: "Cocaine's a hell of a drug"
stefanborsch 3 years ago
Stefan.
Jeff's heart attack was triggered by anaphylactic shock. If you've never experienced anaphylactic shock, you have no idea how frightening the situation can be.
I lived through it. Jeff's reaction was to Dursban. Mine was to tampons, but life-threatening allergic reaction CAN kill somebody. Jeff's family lost two guys to heart attacks way before he died. )Two of Jeff's uncles). There were many MANY other factors involved than blow.... the marlboro reds didn't help him any.
raincloudmusic 3 years ago
genio total, un gran maestro!
ivanavideos 3 years ago 2
Jeffrey will always be missed...
Debs03 3 years ago
He was one of the best. will be missed
tzirkler 3 years ago 4
Fabulous drummer, gifted musician, much missed. Love Jeff Porcaro, but he did do cocaine. Sorry.
principaledwards 3 years ago 3
no he didn't. he ate very unhealthy. his heart was already bad from junk food, therefore, he had an undiagnosed heart condition. the pesticide finished the job.
drumfoomaster 3 years ago 2
The coke rumor is complete dogshit; it's not right and never will be. Jeff was the most sought after studio drummer in the entire musical industry, and it was one of the most heart-felt saddened announcements I've ever heard. All of Toto are brilliant musicians
& writters. If anyone knows music, they'll know that Jeff & Steve Lukather played on most everyone's tracks, from Steely Dan to Streisand.
greeenroooom 3 years ago 4
I agree! Thanx
vashonislandguy 3 years ago
Jeff Porcaro will always be missed. One of the most fantastic drummers of all time. From jaw-dropping odd beats to no-frills rock thunder, he was great. He did NOT die of drugs. He was as serious as anybody, had a family and everything. He died of an allergic reaction to pesticide - sad but true.
Stormbirds 3 years ago 5
thats what forensics tought at first, but later they discovered it was because of a heart attack
rodcrippler 3 years ago 2
I started playing drums well after this happened; but I now realize why every drummer and instructor I met that grew up with Jeff Porcaro as an inspiration, all said they cried the day he passed on.
alexalexportland 3 years ago
to say he died of drugs is so wrong.. HE'S A LEDGEND..
TOTOfanNOR 3 years ago 5
I owe so much to Jeff. He continues to give me inspiration to this day. He is my all time favorite. I wish he was still here. Rest in peace to Jeff Porcaro.
danlc95 3 years ago
Absolutely heartbreaking. A huge loss for his family, and for his fans. My biggest inspiration. I always play his signature break when performing live, and I dedicate it to him every single time.
OctoJan 3 years ago
Sad story...I just learned about this when going back to watch some toto videos. :-(
w5cdt 3 years ago
God Bless Jeff Porcaro, the best pecussionist ever. Even on obscure albums by Patti Austin 'The Real Me', and 'Soldiers on the Moon', by David Lasley, his signature sound was unique. He always served the song. What a great loss.
OforOboe 3 years ago
if anybody has this on a disc please ad it
alboy88 3 years ago
if anybody has this on a disc please ad it
alboy88 3 years ago
Thanks for posting. He was a great loss for all of us who loved his music, but most of all to his beloved family. He was the backbone of Toto. Seems to have been a great guy who deserves the best legacy. Peace and love to his family. RIP.
achemnitz 3 years ago
He was from my home town
hadd13 3 years ago
Big loss to the drumming industry. I love his style of drumming. Very Unique.
jobzstryker 3 years ago
One of the worst days of my was life was when I heard on the radio he died. His grooves are seared permanently in my brain and his Rosanna groove is unforgettable.
jerrywitaj 4 years ago
I use to listen to Toto IV till the tape wore out, and had his picture on all my folders at school. I was a bit shocked when he died. Listen to his grooves with Bozz Scaggs, just so talented.
naedsukram 4 years ago
I still remember the day I listened to 'Hold the line'. I thought it was so inspirational. It made me learn the drum set and make a living out of playing it. This guy is responsible for it.
Thank you Jeff. You filled my life with joy
zagorak 4 years ago
Wow, I had never seen this... thanks for the post. Jeff was one in a million
bcbear2000 4 years ago
i knew he died. but i never knew it was drug abuse.
sbowman128675 4 years ago
Bowman; go back and listen carefully to the clip. The doctors at the ER treated Jeff for "Pesticide Poisoning".......he died of toxic shock due to exposure to too much Dursban insecticide. It sticks to everything-including the lining of the lungs.
raincloudmusic 4 years ago
Thank you for adding this. My friend and I have this on video tape but can not add youtube's yet.
"Ortho" weed killer is not just poison for weeds- it is Poison - period. It is also a very very fine powder that can easily be breathed in.
Echdrum 4 years ago
Echdrum; I survived anaphylactic shock (totally different reason than Dursban), but I tell you it is a very frightening situation to go through. I lost a cousin to hardening of the arteries before Joel was 20 years old. Hardening of the arteries is GENETIC. Jeff ...was a MONSTER player whose music I miss even today. He was and still is a true inspiration to many. This clip puts to be a lot of rumor.
raincloudmusic 4 years ago
God Bless all of you who came here to comment. Hardly anyone knows of the greatness of Toto and Jeff Porcaro, much less pays respect to him.
LDSTexanJTS 4 years ago 4
the best drummer ever. i love his tune on i keep forgettin and callin elvis
JaHatschuKaschu 4 years ago 5
Nobody plays like Jeff did. He had a magic touch, a way to make the music really groove. Too bad I never saw him perform live. Maybe I see him in heaven one day. :)
irmeli75 4 years ago 5
I wouldn't doubt that he may have tried a few lines here and there. Most musicians at that time did, and most of them still do. I don't believe he was a "USER" per say. He was a top notch drummer and percussionist, and I don't believe a regular drug addict can play some of the very musical and complex rhythmic patterns that he did.
funk7000 4 years ago
Jeff Porcaro, the greatest percussionist there ever was. Besides the obvious hits and Toto albums, check out hidden gems like his playing on David Lasley's 'Soldiers on the Moon', and Clapton's 'Behind the Sun'. Elton John's 1982 album, the highlight being 'Princess', is also a standout. No hired-hand ever served a song better. God Bless you and keep you, Jeff.
OforOboe 4 years ago 4
se nota de que era un exelente padre y esposo
gabyt99 4 years ago 3
ooommm =/
I miss him
gabyt99 4 years ago
CNN? That's not CNN reporting it.
IKE11111 4 years ago
he looks like stephen king
FADELIFE 4 years ago
Jeff is such a big part of the whole Steely Dan, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, & Toto stream of music! I'll never forget you, Jeff.
steve51704000 4 years ago 3
Whats up with the white line across the vid? Is this clip from 1942?
azreael01 4 years ago
my guess is is thet someone taped with a video camera filming the tv screen...
If you have a better tape please share it.
kuminamoja 4 years ago
Thanks for posting kuminamoja - your copy of the report is infinitely better than the others up (they don't exist (yet!)) and certainly mine - I don't have one! Thanks for posting. Toto are playing my town soon but it won't be the same without Jeff (God rest his soul). Peace.
Stevieraylittlewing 4 years ago
Actually if you watch carefully I think you get to see most of what they're showing. Thanks again for posting.
Stevieraylittlewing 4 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
puff puff, pass!
trementatis 4 years ago
So sad... God bless your soul, Jeff.. you were great!
Toto forever!
maristarrr 4 years ago
i think from what i heard Porcaro died from a reaction between breathing in the pesticide and had a reaction partially with the drugs in his system. does anyone know more?
Obelisk2290 4 years ago
Obelisk: Jeff died of anaphylactic shock (allergic reaction) to Dursban (a pesticide) that isn't sold anymore now. He had a hereditary heart condition (artherosclerosis). Hardening of the arteries is genetic. (It also killed a cousin of mine and Joel was 13). Heart issues and pesticides like Dursban do not mix, as the pesticide is tacky and sticks to hair, skin, clothes...and, unfortunately, the linings of the lungs if a person breathes it in.
raincloudmusic 4 years ago
what a pisser everytime i think of him is on michael mcdonald's I Keep Forgettin
Obelisk2290 4 years ago
Obelisk...
Yeah; that's a great tune for McD's vocal, but Jeff's groove makes it even better. There's so many tunes Jeff played on. I sometimes wonder what we've MISSED over the past 15 years with him not physically being here anymore. I don't think the US music scene would be as crap as it is now were he still around. Everything he touched had a sense of class to it. Integrity.
raincloudmusic 4 years ago 3
he layed down the groove for boz scaggs laydown you tube has a live version wih him playing drums
Obelisk2290 4 years ago
Absolutely.
Stevieraylittlewing 4 years ago
He had a severe allergic reaction to the pesticide.
bartolemeo 4 years ago
I am French and I dont understand this vidéo. I would like to know how died Jeff Porcaro. Thank you in advance for your answer.
Sorry for my errors, but my English isn't good.
I'm a fan of Toto since 1980, and I never know the truth of his death.
Pease help me.
cklarabelle 4 years ago
Jeff porcaro est décédé par un arrêt du coeur. Il a été au travail dans son jardin avec un pesticide à tuer la mauvaise herbe . Étant donné que jeff a eu un coeur faible par une dérogation congénitale grâce à la quelle le coeur n'a pas tenu tête à le contact avec le pesticide. J'espère que tu ne le comprends pas tellement déjà ma français es trop meilleur
kuminamoja 4 years ago
Thank you very much for your answer. I am glad to know the truth finally.
Don't worry for your French, I understood you well and it's the principal one. bye.
cklarabelle 4 years ago
C'est vrai. Merci pour cete video.
tafino 4 years ago
RIP Jeff
SergioDoBrasil 4 years ago
You live forever...
zagorak 4 years ago
RIP Jeff
iNsaneTube 4 years ago
God rest your soul Jeff, you were a superb talent and inspiration to many of us!
beagleheadfred 4 years ago
He is still the TOPDRUMMER to me and irreplaceable...
may he RIP !!!
My heart goes to the family Porcaro!
gratistoch 4 years ago
Whats that fucking white bar and why is the vid in black/white Jeff died 1992 ? (:
NiXPredator 4 years ago
maybe it's an old vcr recording...
kuminamoja 4 years ago
RIP Jeff
therealTOTOfan 4 years ago
We will always love you, JP... Always...
palatica 4 years ago
The music and movie industry is all about partying and drugs. Most of the slime in Hollywood I wouldn't give a rats ass if they died . . but why Jeff.
GaryNull 4 years ago
Agreed. "If there's a rock-n-roll heaven, you know they have a hell of a band." RIP Jeff
gitchigoomi 4 years ago 2