Getting to know your drum heros

**matricks** · January 14th, 2005, 01:01 AM

Maybe Eddie didn't see the two covers of MD that Matt Cameron has been on...

**Dazzler** · January 14th, 2005, 01:28 AM

Intersting stories. I met Erskoman at The Royal Academy Of Music a few months ago and saw his masterclass. He was gracious, friendly and very accomodating. I introduced myself as "Dazzler" and he was singing the praises of this site ( [img]wink.gif[/img] ). We went outside for the interval and he chatted to me answering all of my questions until a certain other English drummer came along (who shall remain nameless)and proceded to talk about himself for the duration of the break. Peter was never rude and induldged him, smiling and being curteous as ever.

A few years ago, I went to The Jazz Cafe in London to see Kenny Garrett wih Kenny Kirkland (the last time he played in London) and Tain. I went both nights and they were both just amazing and certainly the heaviest gigs I've ever witnest. On the second night I looked over at the bar and saw Vinnie, he must have been over with Sting. I couldn't believe it and nearly fell over!
After bringing myself together, I plucked up the courage to go over. He was talking to someone so I waited patiently until he had finished his conversation. I chose my words carefully and told him that I was a drummer. I said that I was a huge fan of his and "I'd just like to thank you for all the joy your music has given me over the years." I then asked him if I could buy him a drink. He said "a scotch". I don't even think he thanked me to be honest and then he turned round and proceded to ignore me, choosing to speak to someone else.

I was thrilled that I met him and said what I did and at the same time, pissed off that he behaved like a rude ar$ehole.

**Suspiria** · January 14th, 2005, 02:29 AM

Great stories there Dazzler. Your meeting with Vinnie seems like a real let-down for you. It would have been for anyone here. I found that your introductory sentence to him was very polite and really shouldn't have bothered him. But if I put myself in his position, I think its exactly those sentences that they need to listen to, day in, day out. At the same time, I really wouldn't know what else to say to him. The story with the drink is also strange. Hope that experience hasn't discouraged you too much from maybe meeting him again - or approaching other great drummers as couragiously as you did then.

**troutbrooke** · January 14th, 2005, 07:06 AM

Originally posted by Dazzler:
I don't even think he thanked me to be honest and then he turned round and proceded to ignore me, choosing to speak to someone else.

I was thrilled that I met him and said what I did and at the same time, pissed off that he behaved like a rude ar$ehole.

I really find it hard to believe that Mr. Colaiuta wouldn't have at least thanked you for the compliment. But don't take his 'ignoring' of you personally. He has no reason to be intentionally rude to anyone he does not know. Perhaps he just wanted to be a guy out on the town. Perhaps he was going through stuff with his girlfriend/wife. Who knows? I do agree that common courtesy would suggest that we all behave a little more cordial, but I don't think any of us can appreciate what Vinnie goes through. If he was to really give his undivided attention to everyone that lauded him with accolades he wouldn't have time for anything. As it IS his free time is quite scarce.

I'm not saying you were wrong to feel slighted, but I think we all need to look at things from the other side too. Calling Vinnie an ass-hole for not striking up a conversation is a bit harsh.

[ January 14, 2005 03:07 AM: Message edited by: drumming sort of person ]

**PocketPlayer** · January 14th, 2005, 07:37 AM

...and to flip to the other side. Ironically, when I met and hung with Vinnie backstage at a Brian Bromberg gig (It was Sunday evening around 6:30PM), he was SO HUMBLE (I mean, almost faceless, like I was the celebrity drummer)--and he was this way before he met me with Virgil backstage. The two of these drumming titans together, side by side, was like being in church.

Now, the CONTEXT was a jazz gig, in a rather classy venue (Jazz Bakery) in LA. The CONTEXT at NAMM is different, and the CONTEXT at the gig VC attended above might have been to "get away" and not be center stage. I know I can be a little temperamental when I go into a grocery store and the service in the bakery dept is poor.

It seems to me, VC, is a very sensitive person (one secret to his drumming success?) and a bit unpredictable (hmmm, again, drumming & personality??).

Clearly, VC has gone through a lot of changes the past 10 years--relationally at home, spiritually, etc. My sense is the last few years he has found a deeper ground and has let the gentler side come to the forefront.

That said, I feel 'drumming sort of person' has hit the VC thing on the head...who really knows Vinnie here and what he goes through?

I have a job where a lot of people come up to me in my circle and I am 'on stage' a lot as I walk around. I try to be upbeat and kind to everyone, but on occasion, especially when I am out of my work context at a grocery store, I just want to "buy some bakery goods and go home." I'm sure some who have run into me might have thought I was "different" or "less personable" than when at work...at times. It happens. I don't think I've ever been "really rude" however to anyone that approached me to simply say, "Hi."

Then again, I am not in the VC status and what I do doesn't hit people so emotionally that someone will try to craft their 'opening sentence' like approaching a famous drummer will who has played with so many great artists over such a LONG time.
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I also got bit by a Black Widow spider the other day and my sleep routine is WHACKED right now...so none of this might make sense, and if it doesn't then get off my back...I mean who are you to intrude into my inner world...what's up with that...

OH, sorry for the RUDE rant...now shake my hand and be gone [img]tongue.gif[/img]

**Steve Holmes** · January 14th, 2005, 05:06 PM

I hear ya, Dazz.
Like I said. There's reasons for being rude, but no excuse. Especially when someone introduces themself in that way. If you don't feel like talking there's ways to say that without leaving a bad impression. Plus, the times you feel like not talking but make the extra effort anwyways you're always glad you did.

I heard a story about a guy who went to a club to see a big name drummer, and got there early to find that drummer setting up. The guy ended up having some good convo with the drummer. The next night he went back again and started talking to the drummer, standing next to his kit as he was tuning, etc. While the guy was talking in mid-sentence the drummer hit one of the cymbals with his stick (the cymbal was close to the guy's face) to cut him off. I guess he didn't want to talk. I then heard a similar story from a sound man about that same drummer on a different gig.

Bottom line: I don't care who you are. I don't care what kind of day you're having. There's ways to not talk without being an ass hole. After all, it's just drumming.

Get over yourself. [img]graemlins/hmmm.gif[/img]

**Dazzler** · January 14th, 2005, 07:00 PM

Bottom line: I don't care who you are. I don't care what kind of day you're having. There's ways to not talk without being an ass hole. After all, it's just drumming.

Exactly Steve. You hear so many people defending someone's rudeness by saying "yeah, but he/she's a great musician". To me that's ludicrous and as Steve said, it's only music. No matter how phoenominal a musician one maybe, that doesn't give somebody the right to be a lousy human being.

**benrand** · January 14th, 2005, 11:28 PM

But man, Eddie Vedder is so above being an awful human being man, he really is. He's on another plane of consciousness man, that you just can't understand...and drummers can't understand his pain, man, the pains he deals with, the issues man...

F Eddie Vedder.