Pioneers of Drum History

Over the last few years, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to befriend some of the true legends of our art form! These guys been an invaluable resource in my historical research, and they’ve been highly inspirational to me as a player. Many thanks to them all, for allowing me into their lives, for sharing their stories and drumming techniques, and for allowing me to share their photos and other incredible artifacts with you in my writings on drum history.

With swing drumming legend Johnny Blowers at his home Long Island, New York. Johnny is 91 years old and still gigging!

 

With one of the greatest jazz drummers of the post-bop era, Mr. Jimmy Cobb, at Fat Cat's in Greenwich Village, NYC. Whenever I teach new students about swing, I always begin with Jimmy's subtle touch on the Miles Davis record Kind of Blue.

 

With WS Holland, one of the founders of the Rockabilly style, at his home in Franklin, TN. WS' career spans five decades, and his unique playing with Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and many others has influenced generations of new players.

 

With one of the greatest of all time, Louie Bellson. Louie and his wife Francine are absolutely wonderful folks, and were tremendously helpful while I was writing the tribute on Louie for Stick It Magazine (Click here to see the cover of that issue). Louie was also kind enough to write the forward for my RCR Drum Transcription Book. The key question is: Why do I look like I just woke up?

 

With my teacher and mentor Freddie Gruber. I'd already been playing drums for many years when I came to see Freddie in 1992 but through our lesson/hangs, I began to see the true potential of what it means to really "play" the drums. I began to understand my instrument not just as a bunch of skin and metal to bash on, but as an instrument capable of producing melody, harmony and subtlety with as much grace as any other. Thank you Freddie!!

 

With the one and only Zoro at NAMM. In addition to being one HELL of a funky drummer, Zoro is an incredible businessman. He is the editor of Stick It Magazine, and has been a tremendous supporter in helping me realize my dreams of wrting a book on classic American drumming styles.

 

With two drumming masters, one American (the great Ed Thigpen), and one Cuban (Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez). This picture was taken at the Percussive Arts Society Convention in Dallas, TX in November, 2000.

 

At the Nashville Musician's Union with country drumming Legend Buddy Harman. Buddy is the undisputed king of the Nashville studios, having played on over 18,000 sessions (that's nearly three a day for most of the last forty years). You can hear Buddy on monster hits by Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson, Simon and Garfunkel, and Roy Orbison (yep, that famous quarter note groove on "Pretty Woman" is all Buddy). Learn more about Buddy's career at the All Music Guide site. Go to: http://www.allmusic.com/, and type in Buddy's name under "Artists."

 

At lunch with all around groove monster Earl Palmer. What more can be said about this studio legend and pioneer of the big beat? He helped create rock 'n' roll while backing Little Richard and Fats Domino in New Orleans, then went on to turn his craft into an art form in the studios of Hollywood. You probably can't turn on an oldies station without hearing Earl's groove in the first five minutes. Backbeat: Earl Palmer's Story, written by Earl and Tony Scherman, is a wonderful autobiography that takes you through the history of rock via Earl's colorful and fascinating perspective.

 

At the Rockabilly Fest, 2001 in Jackson, TN with Bill Haley's drummer Dick Richards. Dick toured and recorded with Haley back in the 50's, playing on some of the Comets' biggest hits. Now, in his seventies, Dick still tours constantly with the reformed version of Bill Haley's Comets. See more photos of Dick and the Comets on the special page dedicated to my trip to Jackson.

 

Sharing some coffee and a few licks with veteran drummer Charles Connor. Charles was the original drummer in Little Richard's group, The Upsetters, and spent many years touring the globe with Mr. Tutti Frutti. His opening groove on Richard's "Keep a' Knockin'," is the influence behind John Bonham's famous intro to Led Zep's "Rock and Roll." Check out Charles' website: www.legendarydrummer.tv


Going to church with LA studio drumming ace Jesse Sailes. Along with Earl Palmer and Hal Blaine, Jesse was one of the top aces in the Hollywood studios during the '50s, '60s and '70s. From Big Joe Turner to Diana Ross, Jesse was around for it all. Today, he's retired and works as the Deacon of a church in South Central Los Angeles. Learn more about Jesse's career at the All Music Guide website. Just type in Jesse's name under "Artists."

 

At Catalina Bar and Grill in Hollywood with Steve Smith. In addition to being an fantastic drummer (Journey/Vital Information/Steps Ahead), Steve is a fellow drum history buff. We're both doing our best to "get it all figured out."

 

My buddy Jeff "Houseman" Clemens and I at NAMM, 2001. Jeff not only lays down some seriously stanky grooves with G. Love and Special Sauce, but he has a really hip vintage drum collection to boot.

 

With up and coming Latin drum star and all around great guy, Carlos Lopez. My "Drum History Minute" feature airs every two weeks on Carlos's bi-weekly podcasts. Check it out at http://www.carlosandcgpodcast.com.

 

 

At the 2001 NAMM show with Carmine Appice. I don't know if Carmine is into drum history, but he is certainly a piece of history himself, not only as a great player and double bass innovator, but because he wrote one of the biggest drum instructional books of all time, Realistic Rock. I interviewed Carmine for my Stick It piece on Louie Bellson.

 

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