For 32 years, Jeffrey “Joffo” Simmons has supplied the driving backbeat for Joe Grushecky's Houserockers. The versatile drummer and avid Pittsburgh sports fan has toured the country with the band, and backed Bruce Springsteen during legendary performances at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, N.J., and at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall in Oakland.
Simmons learned to drum with the Ozanam Strings in Homewood, and from Eugene “Babe” Fabrizi at Fabrizi's Drum Shop in Pittsburgh. He later attended the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in percussion.
Simmons also has played with John Cafferty & the Beaver Brown Band, and the Joe Cocker Alumni Band in San Francisco.
He can currently be heard on the new Joe Grushecky and the Houserocker's CD, “American Babylon: Live at the Stone Pony.”
The star who would play me in the movie version of my life and why:
Samuel L. Jackson. I've had people come to me asking me for an autograph and calling me Sam.
Childhood hero and why:
My brother Ronnie. He's always taken care of me since I was born and has even changed my diapers. He's a second father to me and the most amazing man I've ever known.
The piece of memorabilia from my childhood I wish I still had:
An autographed hockey stick from Pittsburgh Penguin great Syl Apps, who lived three doors from us growing up.
The superpower I wish I had in real life and why:
To transport to different places like “Star Trek.”
Favorite ethnic food:
Turnip greens
The song I want played at my funeral:
“My Child is Coming Home” by Mavis Staples
Show I have or want to binge watch:
“The Bold & the Beautiful”
My favorite cable channel:
AXS TV concert channel
What dessert matches your personality?
Devil's food cake
Who's your favorite TV or movie villain?
Victor Newman on “The Young & the Restless”
Movie I could watch every time it appears on cable:
Any James Bond movie
The movie that always makes me cry:
“Star Trek: Wrath of Khan”
If I was auditioning for “American Idol,” my song would be:
“You're Not Alone” by Chicago
The first band I saw in concert (when and where):
The Jackson 5 at the Civic Arena in 1969
The best concert I've ever seen:
Michael Jackson on the Bad Tour 1988 at the Civic Arena
Celebrity crush:
A tie between Sandra Bullock and Ashley Dougherty on WTAE
Favorite guilty pleasure:
Watching any and all Star Trek series episodes
Something I would do over if I could and why:
Play with the Joe Cocker Band. I performed with them at the Super Bowl in San Francisco last February. A major high point in my career.
Pick one: Pirates / Penguins / Steelers / Other / I hate sports:
Steelers
My favorite Pittsburgh athlete:
Roberto Clemente
Favorite lunchtime spot:
Tessaro's in Bloomfield
My favorite sandwich, plus fixings:
Deli Burger at Tessaro's with Yellow Mustard.
My favorite Pittsburgh pizza:
Mineo's in Squirrel Hill
Top thing on my ‘Bucket List' to do before I'm gone:
Go to Cuba
Best vacation ever:
Key West
Place I'd most like to visit:
Hawaii
In five years, I'd like to:
Retire
I wish I had more time to:
Hang out with my brother.
My favorite thing about Pittsburgh is:
The people and the sports
Three people I'd love to have dinner with:
Kenny Aronoff, Sandra Bullock, and Ashley Dougherty
One word my mother would use to describe me:
Talented
When I was 10, I wanted to be:
A baseball player
In high school, I was:
Dateless
If I could go back, I'd tell me teenage self …
Work harder and save your money
My childhood nickname was:
Bubbles
My first job:
KFC
My worst job:
Door-to-door sales
Favorite Pittsburgh-area landmark.
Mt. Washington
My most treasured fashion accessory is:
My autographed Ben Roethlisberger throwback Steelers jersey.
If I wasn't a musician, I'd be:
An actor
The last book I read:
“Street Player” by Danny Seraphine
My favorite website:
If I could live my life as someone else, it would be:
Quincy Jones
The song that always gets me out on the dance floor and why:
“Get Down Tonight” by KC & the Sunshine Band
Happiness is …
Two weeks off from work
My personal motto is …
If God is for me, who could be against me?
People would be surprised to know that I:
Met Michael Jackson the last time he was here in Pittsburgh in 1988
