Steve Lukather, Jeff Porcaro, John Paul Jones & my Father, Brian, all got on incredibly well together during the shooting of the movie at Elstree Studios. For me, though, the defining moment has to be when my Father took me onto the set for the first time that I saw & heard Jeff play the drums.
It was dark & I had to be quiet for they were preparing an important shot. I was nervous as it was so hot & dark. You could not see anything. Then all of a sudden someone shouted; " Action ! ". The lights sprang on & that was it. The moment I heard Jeff play his incredible drum kit, that stood out on a podium I was completely knocked out. I shook inside for ages afterwards.
After this amazing experience was over & the set was back to a normal scene I could not help myself starring at Jeff as he walked around smoking a cigarette. I was completely transfixed by this man. For I was a child & had never before experienced anything like it. The power & force of his playing was simply out of this world.
Later, as I became a regular on-set, I got to know Jeff, along with my Brother, Nathan, & he began to show us the rudiments of drumming. Jeff knew I, we, were in awe of his drums & made himself totally available to us. One day he asked me if I would like to learn. Naturally, I said that I would, as did Nathan, so he showed us. I have been playing ever since. Only when I lost Nathan did I stop playing for a while.
Whenever Jeff was called off-set for something or other we were allowed to mess around on his drums. I remember hitting the tom as hard as I could & an assistant laughing at my audacity.
Jeff was a warm, lovely human being that was always smiling & laughing, kidding around with everyone. Whenever we arrived on set he would call out to us. " Hey Guys ! " It was great for us. We had never met an American before, let alone one this friendly. Every Saturday morning, as we arrived on set, we would make a bee-line for Jeff & call out; " Hi Jeff ! ". Never once did Jeff ignore or frighten either of us. He was totally available & friendly whenever we were there. In fact, if he was ever called off-set for something he would allow us to mess around on his drums. I remember hitting the tom as hard as I could one day, I thought I would get told off, or break it, when an assistant came over, but she then began laughing at my audacity.
Eventually shooting wrapped & it was time for us all to say goodbye. I knew it would be sad, as did Nathan, as we had become incredibly attached to Jeff, but I never realized how difficult it would be for me. That last day I asked Jeff if he would sign my autograph book & he did for both of us. He also gave us both a snare head, brushes, sticks & one really cool thing, that is above all else, the biggest, warmest, loveliest hug we could have wished for.
Magical days that will never leave me. They have & continue to inspire & drive me forward to be the best that I can be within my ability as a Drummer. But the most important thing that Jeff taught me was how to focus & be an asset to others. He changed my life, not only with his incredible drumming & ability to teach me, but by his warmth & kindness as a man.
I miss you, Jeff.
