Jaco had plenty of issues, but no frets.
John Francis Anthony Pastorius, later known as “Jaco”, was born in Pennsylvania, and went on to become one of the most revered and influential bassists in history. He started out as a drummer and eventually began playing electric bass in his early teens. He played with such acts as Cochran and the C.C. Riders, Ira Sullivan, Pat Metheney, Herbie Hancock and countless others. He is probably best remembered for his work with the group Weather Report.
He came to be known for his use of harmonics, playing (mostly) a ’60 Fender Jazz bass and a ’62 fretless bass; legend had it that Jaco took the frets off manually. He played in a high register, plucking as opposed to the “slap” method of many bassists of the 1970s and 80s. Most music lovers and critics alike were in awe of his unique way of playing.
Jaco played hard, and he lived hard. His skill and talent were matched only by his outsized ego, and he suffered from severe alcoholism and bipolar disorder. Fortunately, his talent actually backed up his boasting, and usually smoothed over any off-putting first impressions he made with people. As it's been said, “it ain’t braggin' if you can back it up”.
Jaco Pastorius died in 1987 at the age of 35.
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