Carlos Vega (December 7, 1956 – April 7, 1998) was a Cuban-born Los Angeles-based session drummer best known for his performances with James Taylor. As a part of the L.A. studio scene from the late 1970s through the 1990s, Vega contributed to a wide variety of music during the rise and popularity of the California singer-songwriter movement.

History

Carlos Vega was born in Cuba on December 7, 1956 and grew up in Los Angeles, California with his parents and had one older sister, Sue. He attended Eagle Rock High School in a suburb of Los Angeles. He knew Grant High School students and collaborated with such future artists as

Michael Landau Michael Christopher Landau (born June 1, 1958) is an American musician, audio engineer, and record producer. He is a session musician and guitarist who has played on many albums since the early 1980s with Boz Scaggs, Minoru Niihara, Joni Mitch ...

, Jeff Porcaro, and

Steve Lukather Steven Lee Lukather (born October 21, 1957) is an American guitarist, singer, songwriter, arranger and record producer, best known as the sole continuous founding member of the rock band Toto. His reputation as a skilled guitarist led to a stea ...

. Vega co-formed his first band, Karizma, in 1975 with Michael Landau,

David Garfield David Garfield (September 27, 1956 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American keyboardist, songwriter, and record producer. He has recorded with Smokey Robinson, Cher, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Spinal Tap, George Benson, The Manhattan Transfe ...

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, and Jimmy Johnson. Vega performed with a wide variety of musicians across many genres, including a 13-year collaboration with James Taylor (featured on ''

Live Live may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Films * ''Live!'' (2007 film), 2007 American film * ''Live'' (2014 film), a 2014 Japanese film *'' ''Live'' (Apocalyptica DVD) Music *Live (band), American alternative rock band * List of albums ...

'', ''

Hourglass An hourglass (or sandglass, sand timer, sand clock or egg timer) is a device used to measure the passage of time. It comprises two glass bulbs connected vertically by a narrow neck that allows a regulated flow of a substance (historically sand) ...

'', '' Never Die Young'', and '' New Moon Shine'') and on Olivia Newton-John's double platinum album, '' Physical''. He performed on the soundtrack for the film '' Grease''. As a musician, Vega was a major influence on Jeff Porcaro, another outstanding Los Angeles studio musician and drummer for

Toto Toto may refer to: Arts and entertainment Fictional characters Pets * Toto (Oz), Toto (''Oz''), a dog in the novel and film ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' * Toto, in Japanese ''The Cat Returns#Plot, The Cat Returns'' Characters of agency * a ...

. During a break from a James Taylor tour, on April 7, 1998, Vega died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. While most media reports stated that he died at home, it has also been written that his body was found on a deserted road overlooking Los Angeles. Since his death, there have been annual Carlos Vega Memorial Birthday Concerts, featuring drumming greats like

Steve Ferrone Steve Ferrone (born 25 April 1950) is an English drummer. He is known as a member of the rock band Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from 1994 to 2017, replacing original drummer Stan Lynch, and as part of the "classic lineup" of the Average Whi ...

and

John Robinson John Robinson may refer to: Academics *John Thomas Romney Robinson (1792–1882), Irish astronomer and physicist * John J. Robinson (1918–1996), historian and author of ''Born in Blood'' *John Talbot Robinson (1923–2001), paleontologist *John ...

Selected Discography

* '' Caldera 1'' -

Caldera A caldera ( ) is a large cauldron-like hollow that forms shortly after the emptying of a magma chamber in a volcano eruption. When large volumes of magma are erupted over a short time, structural support for the rock above the magma chamber is ...

(1976) * '' Sky Islands'' -

(1977) * '' Born Late'' - Shaun Cassidy (1977) * '' Under Wraps'' - Shaun Cassidy (1978) * '' Pretty Girls'' - Lisa Dal Bello (1979) * '' He Who Rides the Tiger'' -

Bernie Taupin Bernard John Taupin (born 22 May 1950) is an English songwriter, singer and visual artist. He is best known for his long-term collaboration with musician Elton John, a songwriting partnership that is one of the most successful in history. Tau ...

(1980) * '' This Time'' -

Al Jarreau Alwin Lopez Jarreau (March 12, 1940 – February 12, 2017) was an American singer and musician. His 1981 album '' Breakin' Away'' spent two years on the ''Billboard'' 200 and is considered one of the finest examples of the Los Angeles pop and R ...

(1980) * '' Bi-Coastal'' - Peter Allen (1980) * ''

Barry Barry may refer to: People and fictional characters * Barry (name), including lists of people with the given name, nickname or surname, as well as fictional characters with the given name * Dancing Barry, stage name of Barry Richards (born c. 195 ...

'' -

Barry Manilow Barry Manilow (born Barry Alan Pincus; June 17, 1943) is an American singer and songwriter with a career that spans seven decades. His hit recordings include "Could It Be Magic", " Somewhere Down the Road", " Mandy", "I Write the Songs", " Can ...

(1980) * '' Give Me the Night'' - George Benson (1980) * '' Physical'' - Olivia Newton-John (1981) * '' Branigan'' - Laura Branigan (1982) * '' Born to Love'' - Peabo Bryson, Roberta Flack (1983) * '' Toni Basil'' - Toni Basil (1983) * '' Best Kept Secret'' - Sheena Easton (1983) * '' In Your Eyes'' - George Benson (1983) * ''Emergency'' - Melissa Manchester (1983) * '' Merciless'' -

Stephanie Mills Stephanie Dorthea Mills (born March 22, 1957) is an American singer and songwriter. She rose to stardom as "Dorothy" in the original seven-time Tony Award winning Broadway run of the musical ''The Wiz'' from 1974 to 1979. The song " Home" from t ...

(1983) * '' Beyond Saturday Night'' - Sam Phillips (1983) * '' Branigan 2'' - Laura Branigan (1983) * '' Airborne'' - Don Felder (1983) * ''

How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye ''How Many Times Can We Say Goodbye'' is a studio album by the American singer Dionne Warwick. It was released by Arista Records on September 29, 1983, in the United States. Recorded during the spring of 1983, Warwick worked with the singer and ...

'' -

Dionne Warwick Marie Dionne Warwick (; born December 12, 1940) is an American singer, actress, and television host. Warwick ranks among the 40 biggest U.S. hit makers between 1955 and 1999, based on her chart history on ''Billboards Hot 100 pop singles cha ...

(1983) * '' A Private Heaven'' - Sheena Easton (1984) * '' Self Control'' - Laura Branigan (1984) * '' Straight from the Heart'' - Peabo Bryson (1984) * ''

Dancing with Danger ''Dancing with Danger'' is the second album by Leslie Phillips, released in 1984 on Myrrh Records. The album peaked at number 20 on the ''Billboard'' Top Inspirational Albums chart. Critical reception AllMusic wrote that "while the focus of the ...

'' - Sam Phillips (1984) * ''

Black and White in a Grey World ''Black and White in a Grey World'' is the third album by Leslie Phillips, released in 1985 on Myrrh Records. Phillips picked up her first Grammy Award nomination (as Leslie Phillips) for Best Gospel Performance, Female at the 28th Grammy Awards. ...

'' - Sam Phillips (1985) * ''Sleeping with Girls'' - Stephen Bishop (1985) * ''Schuur Thing'' - Diane Schuur (1985) * '' 20/20'' - George Benson (1985) * '' Soul Kiss'' - Olivia Newton-John (1985) * '' Finder of Lost Loves'' -

(1985) * ''

Mathematics Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. These topics are represented in modern mathematics ...

'' - Melissa Manchester (1985) * '' Nine Lives'' -

Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Lynn Raitt (; born November 8, 1949) is an American blues singer and guitarist. In 1971, Raitt released her self-titled debut album. Following this, she released a series of critically acclaimed roots-influenced albums that incorporated ...

(1986) * '' They Don't Make Them Like They Used To'' - Kenny Rogers (1986) * ''

Headed for the Future ''Headed for the Future'' is the seventeenth studio album released by Neil Diamond in March 1986 on Columbia Records. The album went to number 20 on the US ''Billboard'' 200. ''Headed for the Future'' has also been certified Gold in the US by t ...

'' -

Neil Diamond Neil Leslie Diamond (born January 24, 1941) is an American singer-songwriter. He has sold more than 130 million records worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time. He has had ten No. 1 singles on the Hot 100 and Adul ...

(1986) * ''Hot on the Trail'' - Deniece Williams (1986) * '' Winner in You'' -

Patti LaBelle Patricia Louise Holte (born May 24, 1944), known professionally as Patti LaBelle, is an American R&B singer, actress and businesswoman. LaBelle is referred to as the " Godmother of Soul". She began her career in the early 1960s as lead singe ...

(1986) * ''

Earth Run ''Earth Run'' is the fifteenth studio album by jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour, released in April 1986 through GRP Records.Lee Ritenour Lee Mack Ritenour ( ; born January 11, 1952) is an American jazz guitarist who has been active since the late 1960s. Biography Ritenour was born on January 11, 1952, in Los Angeles, California, United States. At the age of eight he started play ...

(1986) * '' Everlasting'' - Natalie Cole (1987) * '' Emotion'' - Juice Newton (1987) * '' Touch'' - Laura Branigan (1987) * '' Brazilian Romance'' -

Sarah Vaughan Sarah Lois Vaughan (March 27, 1924 – April 3, 1990) was an American jazz singer. Nicknamed "Sassy" and "Jazz royalty, The Divine One", she won two Grammy Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was nominated for a total of nine ...

(1987) * '' Reservations for Two'' -

(1987) * '' After Dark'' - Ray Parker Jr. (1987) * '' The Way Back Home'' - Vince Gill (1987) * ''

Cher Cher (; born Cherilyn Sarkisian; May 20, 1946) is an American singer, actress and television personality. Often referred to by the media as the Honorific nicknames in popular music, "Goddess of Pop", she has been described as embodying female ...

'' -

(1987) * '' Land of Dreams'' -

Randy Newman Randall Stuart Newman (born November 28, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist known for his Southern American English, Southern-accented singing style, early Americana (music), Americana-influenced songs (often ...

(1988) * '' Till I Loved You'' - Barbra Streisand (1988) * ''

Heart's Horizon ''Heart's Horizon'' is a studio album by American singer and musician Al Jarreau. It was released in 1988 through Reprise Records. It reached No. 75 on the ''Billboard'' 200. The song "Killer Love" was intended to be used in the film '' Skin Dee ...

'' -

(1988) * '' Justice'' - Steve Camp (1988) * '' The Rumour'' - Olivia Newton-John (1988) * '' Never Die Young'' - James Taylor (1988) * '' The Best Years of Our Lives'' -

(1988) * '' Cry Like a Rainstorm, Howl Like the Wind'' - Linda Ronstadt, Aaron Neville (1989) * ''

Lukather ''Lukather'' is the first solo studio album by Toto guitarist Steve Lukather, released on August 28, 1989 through Columbia Records. History ''Lukather'' came about after Toto had been recording and playing for eleven years and the band consensu ...

'' -

(1989) * '' Heart of Stone'' -

(1989) * '' Some People's Lives'' -

Bette Midler Bette Midler (;''Inside the Actors Studio'', 2004 born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress, comedian and author. Throughout her career, which spans over five decades, Midler has received List of awards and nominations received by Be ...

(1990) * ''Pure Schuur'' - Diane Schuur (1991) * '' Lovescape'' -

(1991) * '' Warm Your Heart'' - Aaron Neville (1991) * '' New Moon Shine'' - James Taylor (1991) * '' Love Hurts'' -

(1991) * ''

When You're a Boy ''When You're a Boy'' is the debut solo album by Susanna Hoffs. It begins with the ''Billboard'' Top 40 single "My Side of the Bed", includes the track "Unconditional Love" (co-written by Cyndi Lauper), and ends with a cover of " Boys Keep Swingi ...

'' -

Susanna Hoffs Susanna Lee Hoffs (born January 17, 1959) is an American singer and guitarist, best known as a co-founder of the pop-rock band The Bangles. Hoffs founded The Bangles (originally called the Bangs) in 1981 with Debbi and Vicki Peterson. They re ...

(1991) * ''Rendezvous'' -

Christopher Cross Christopher Cross (born Christopher Charles Geppert; May 3, 1951) is an American singer-songwriter from San Antonio, Texas. He won five Grammy Awards for his eponymous debut album released in 1979. The singles "Sailing" (1980), and "Arthur's T ...

(1992) * '' I Still Believe in You'' - Vince Gill (1992) * ''Soul Talkin -

Brenda Russell Brenda Russell (née Gordon; born April 8, 1949) is an American singer-songwriter, producer, and keyboardist. Russell has a diverse musical range which encompasses R&B, pop, soul, dance, and jazz. She has received five Grammy nominations. Li ...

(1993) * '' Up on the Roof: Songs from the Brill Building'' -

(1993) * ''

River of Souls ''River of Souls'' is the twelfth album by American singer-songwriter Dan Fogelberg, released in September 1993. The album features a variety of genres ranging from Celtic, Brazilian, country, and African soft rock. It received mostly positive ...

'' - Dan Fogelberg (1993) * '' Let There Be Peace on Earth'' - Vince Gill (1993) * ''

When Love Finds You ''When Love Finds You'' is the sixth studio album from American country music artist Vince Gill. It was released in 1994 on Universal Music Group Nashville, MCA Nashville. It features the singles "Whenever You Come Around," "What the Cowgirls D ...

'' - Vince Gill (1994) * '' Turbulent Indigo'' -

Joni Mitchell Roberta Joan "Joni" Mitchell ( Anderson; born November 7, 1943) is a Canadian-American musician, producer, and painter. Among the most influential singer-songwriters to emerge from the 1960s folk music circuit, Mitchell became known for her sta ...

(1994) * '' Falling Forward'' -

Julia Fordham Julia Fordham (born 10 August 1962) is a British singer-songwriter. Her professional career started in the early 1980s, under the name "Jules Fordham", as a backing singer for Mari Wilson and Kim Wilde, before signing a recording contract of he ...

(1994) * ''

The Christmas Album, Volume II ''The Christmas Album, Volume II'' is the twenty-second studio album by Neil Diamond, and his second to feature Christmas music. It was produced by Peter Asher and released by Columbia Records in 1994, only two years after Diamond's previous C ...

'' -

(1994) * ''If My Heart Had Wings'' - Melissa Manchester (1995) * '' High Lonesome Sound'' - Vince Gill (1996) * ''It's Good, Eve'' - Vonda Shepard (1996) * ''

'' - James Taylor (1997) * '' Timbre'' -

Sophie B. Hawkins Sophie Ballantine Hawkins (born November 1, 1964) is an American singer-songwriter, musician and painter. Born in New York City, she attended the Manhattan School of Music for a year as a percussionist before leaving to pursue a music career. S ...

(1999)

References

External links

* https://www.james-taylor.com/db/jt/band-members/vega-carlos/ * https://web.archive.org/web/20180116135109/https://www.drummercafe.com/featured-musician/drummer-percussionist/carlos-vega.html {{DEFAULTSORT:Vega, Carlos 1956 births 1998 suicides American drummers American percussionists American session musicians Cuban emigrants to the United States Suicides by firearm in California Origin Records artists