Jaco Pastorius

John Francis Anthony Pastorius III (December 1, 1951 – September 21, 1987), better known as Jaco Pastorius, was an American jazz bassist.  Despite his short career, he is considered by many to be the greatest bassist of all time.  He was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

Pastorius was a member of Weather Report from 1976 to 1981. He worked with Pat Metheny, Joni Mitchell, and recorded albums as a solo artist and band leader.  Pastorius was the first bassist in any genre to use harmonics in his bass playing, which can be heard in songs such as "Portrait of Tracy".

Pastorius developed a self-destructive habit of provoking bar fights and allowing himself to be beaten up.  On September 11, 1987, Pastorius was beaten to the point that he became comatose after a Carlos Santana concert in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  He suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and a few days later led to brain death.  He was disconnected from life support and died on September 21, 1987 at the age of 35 at a hospital in Fort Lauderdale.

References

Other websites

  – official site

 Pastorius family site
 Jaco Pastorius 1978 radio interview

Category:1951 births
Category:1987 deaths
Category:Deaths by beating
Category:Deaths from cerebral hemorrhage
Category:American manslaughter victims
Category:American bass guitarists
Category:American jazz musicians
Category:American composers
Category:Record producers
Category:Musicians from Pennsylvania
Category:Musicians from Fort Lauderdale, Florida