I have been wanting to tell this story for a LONG time!
Just found this interview and have not heard it since
it aired Live...
I was working at Dodger Stadium--parking lot for season
ticket holders. Sitting in my car, I was listening to Africa
off TOTO IV, thinking of Jeff's 16th note groove then flipped
on the radio--KLOS--and caught this interview. All of a sudden
I hear Jeff Porcaro talk about recording Africa! NO WAY...
I wanted to call my band buddies but no cell phones so I did
what everyone did back then...I held all the excitement
inside and waited!
(I have never heard the entire interview until now)
Only this was not a Dodger Game...it was Michael Jackson's
Thriller Tour! The good news is around the 7th inning of every
ballgame we could go inside and watch the rest of the game.
I looked at my buddy and thought, "Shoot...we can walk inside
dressed in the uniform we wear...they will never know!" After
the concert started, we waited and walked inside.
I went to the center of the stadium right under the control board.
Sugarfoot was laying down some serious pocket. Michael was in
full glory. This was amazing!!!
I am standing under the mixing board, diggin' life--MJ is starting
to groove to Beat It! I look to my left. I see this hot blond babe.
Then, I notice the guy next to her. NO WAY!
It was Jeff Porcaro with Susan! I am watching Sugarfoot play Beat It
and Jeff is watching as well! I kept staring at him...it was so
out of body...the guy on record is about 10 feet away at a Michael
Jackson concert while Beat It is being played! COME ON...
TOTO in the parking lot was pretty cool, but this was EPIC! One of
the great moments in life when it all comes together for some crazy reason!