Drummers typically get the short end of the stick in almost any rock band. Say what you want about guitarists being married to their instruments or singers having massive egos. But none of them are as frequently labeled as “the dumb one” as the one behind the skins. It may not appear to be the worst job in the world to hit things for a living. But Eddie Van Halen believed there was true art in the way Jeff Porcaro played the skins.
However, Porcaro was never the drummer as most people believe. As a professional in the studio, some of his signature drum rolls were featured on some of the 1980s‘ biggest hits. He turns Toto into a well-oiled machine whenever they put out hits like ‘Africa’ or ‘Rosanna’.
However, players can only obtain that kind of touch through long hours of play. Any session drummer understands the demands of having to play multiple genres of music with a reasonable level of proficiency. And Porcaro could easily transition from progressive rock to jazzy pop to hard rock.
Even with all of the massive solos he played, Van Halen could appreciate his sense of rhythm. He has introduced tapping to the world. But many consider him one of the most criminally underappreciated rhythm guitarists. He has spent time behind the drum kit before picking up the six-string.
He got along well with his brother, Alex. Eddie believed no one could match Porcaro’s talent. He said at his memorial service, “To me, he was one of the best drummers in the world.” (He was) the groove master, and you’ve got to pay tribute to a cat like that”He was simply too heavy, you know.”
While every session player has the responsibility to blend into the background of most tracks, Porcaro’s sense of timing lies at the heart of every song he plays. It was when Don Henley decided to take the microphone during his solo career. Or it was when he laid down the groove on ‘Rosanna‘. He made even the most difficult drumbeats seem simple as if he was laying down a groove in his garage with a bunch of friends.
Looking at his resume, the majority of his accomplishments speak for themselves. Outside of his main gig with Toto, few can claim to have played on an album as classic as Michael Jackson’s Thriller. They serve as a member of the ‘King of Pop’s backing band on songs like ‘Beat It’. Even while working in the big leagues, Porcaro had the opportunity to collaborate with jazz legend Steely Dan. He participated in studio sessions and performed a few live shows with them.
While most drum legends favor artists like Buddy Rich and Keith Moon (as they should), Porcaro deserves at least a passing mention among the greats. He may not have played flashy, but he didn’t need to. All he needed was to lay down a groove, and once everyone layered everything else on top of that, you couldn’t go wrong.
