I’ve looked for years for evidence that Frank Zappa knew that Jaco Pastorius existed.
I have just found it astonishing that their paths never crossed or, more to the point, that Jaco never played for a Frank Zappa outfit.
I’m guessing that Jaco’s reputation as being somewhat of a showboater or his reputation for utilizing certain chemical substances preceded him. Or maybe Jaco was too busy making Joni Mitchell sound even more amazing.
However. This year, I have found a small, but reassuring, nexus. Cue drummer Chad Wackerman. Just for fun, we’ll drop in right at a drum break with Wackerman, Chester Thompson, and Terry Bozzio (this was originally broadcast via The Drum Channel, after all):
Zappa had a sign for “Weather Report,” specifically. So. Oh, yes. Zappa was aware of Jaco.