Carlos Vega

[Brian Hassan]

Without doubt one of the finest session drummers who played on countless records. Carlos committed suicide back on the 7th April 1988 just after returning with James Taylor from the European leg of the tour, and was set to begin the US leg of the tour.

[Jennifer Lucas]

anyone know why he was so depressed that he felt he had to take his own life? right in the middle of a tour?

[Bengt Isaksson]

http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Carlos_Vega.html

[Gary]

Have to understand what touring musicians lives were like in those days, 20 years ago. The JT band was known for cocaine abuse. It was a drug that allowed the musicians to maintain the precise timing needed and feel like God until the buzz wore off. To quote Joe Walsh "a lot of friends of mine didn't make it" through that period of time. Cocaine messes with the brain really bad. I personally know of two young men (involved with cocaine) who killed themselves. Both were professionals with promising careers ahead of them. One shot himself and the other drove his car off a pier into an ocean inlet (after parking and contemplating it).

Jennifer Lucas said:

anyone know why he was so depressed that he felt he had to take his own life? right in the middle of a tour?

[Mikael Engström]

Carlos passed away in 1998, that makes it eleven years since his passing away.Gary´s posting makes a hint of drug abuse being the reason of Carlos passing. I´ve heard of other reasons,but I don´t find it fruitfull to speculate. I don´t know other then it for sure and for certain hides a personal tragedy for all involved .Family and friends remember and love Carlos for whom he was and that´s what matters


Gary said:

Have to understand what touring musicians lives were like in those days, 20 years ago. The JT band was known for cocaine abuse. It was a drug that allowed the musicians to maintain the precise timing needed and feel like God until the buzz wore off. To quote Joe Walsh "a lot of friends of mine didn't make it" through that period of time. Cocaine messes with the brain really bad. I personally know of two young men (involved with cocaine) who killed themselves. Both were professionals with promising careers ahead of them. One shot himself and the other drove his car off a pier into an ocean inlet (after parking and contemplating it).

Jennifer Lucas said:

anyone know why he was so depressed that he felt he had to take his own life? right in the middle of a tour?

[Bengt Isaksson]

Thanks Mikael!

It was my intention with this group to pay tribute to those who are not among us anymore. As you say there is no reason to speculate, we may think of their families and friends!

Mikael Engstrom said:

Carlos passed away in 1998, that makes it eleven years since his passing away.Gary´s posting makes a hint of drug abuse being the reason of Carlos passing. I´ve heard of other reasons,but I don´t find it fruitfull to speculate. I don´t know other then it for sure and for certain hides a personal tragedy for all involved .Family and friends remember and love Carlos for whom he was and that´s what matters


Gary said:

Have to understand what touring musicians lives were like in those days, 20 years ago. The JT band was known for cocaine abuse. It was a drug that allowed the musicians to maintain the precise timing needed and feel like God until the buzz wore off. To quote Joe Walsh "a lot of friends of mine didn't make it" through that period of time. Cocaine messes with the brain really bad. I personally know of two young men (involved with cocaine) who killed themselves. Both were professionals with promising careers ahead of them. One shot himself and the other drove his car off a pier into an ocean inlet (after parking and contemplating it).

Jennifer Lucas said:

anyone know why he was so depressed that he felt he had to take his own life? right in the middle of a tour?