Virgil the best ever?

[McKenzie]

Good stuff V, maybe you should check out Southern
Sons(melodic rock much like Journey),or Tina Arena(pop) or Jon Stevens(pop with some R&B influence), Or Pertout(latin) where he plays with tremendous restraint and taste. Talked to Don Famularo years ago and he flat out told me that Virgil was one of the best who ever held a pair of sticks and that he was considered a Master drummer even back then by many, then out of the blue he says people might think he is just a technical genius but the guy can flat out play just about whatever(different styles) you throw at him. I have heard the same from others and your right, know doubt there is a burden on someone like him to feel like he needs to play for those who want to see the technique and chops but DOES not mean he cannot and has not played well in others settings.

Great little story to tell. About 2 years ago Virgil was called up by Mike keaneally(Zappa)(VAI)(guitarist) out of the blue to play with himself and bassist Bryan Beller and a keyboard player. In fact this story comes from Beller himself. The gig was a completely spontaneous off the cuff gig no rehearsal, in fact Virgil had never met these guys yet. the theme was were gona play whatever (Keaneally) feels like he wants to play. So Virgil sets up his kit warms up and they jump up and play for 2 to 3 hours, completely improvised, consisting of everything you can imagine blues,funk,fusion,rock,jazz you name it they did it. Beller says the guy who made it all go was without a doubt Virgil. He said that Virgil was the locomotive and the caboose. He says he was perfect, spot on , no matter where they went and whatever style they played he nailed it. Beller's statement was,"I have played with many good drummers, some of them are Toss Panos, Mike mangini, Nick DiVirgillo, among others and this guy by far is the best I have ever played with. He says it was like playing with Vinnie colaiuta,Dave Weckl,Mike Mangini and Tommy Aldridge all at the same time. He was amazed at the fact that he could pull out whatever was needed, as the moment required it. He said the crowd was going before the show who is this guy and after the show they were amazed at his ability and versatility. Good story.

Digital

[FuseU1]

Hey, Dazz-o-roo -
I DISAGREE -
[We'd STILL be talkin to each other...only make that YELLIN', CURSIN', STOMPIN', BASHIN', & INSULTIN'...hey, which 1 a' you li'l bastinados took my friggin pacifier?! & just where the heck is my B'ANKY?!! HEH?!! WELL?!!.... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ March 27, 2003 02:42 PM: Message edited by: FuseU1 ]</font>

[McKenzie]

Your right Dazzler this board for the most part is somewhere where we can debate in a healthy manner without getting personal about. Why get personal over Drums for Goodness sakes. Bigger issues going on in our Lives for sure. I am trying to raise kids and run a business so I got enough to worry about.

My main point has been some guys(not just Virgil) out there really thrive on innovation(pushing the benchmark) and playing the insane stuff in their own bands , BUT they can hop on someone elses gig and play the way the artist calls for while leaving a little bit of their own flavor in their which should be done. Man who wants to be playing on 20 studio pop albums if all your gona become is a generic musician why, other than putting dough in your pocket which I guess is cool if that is what you need.

I do not think we will be hearing Terry Bozzio playing on Shania twains or Britney spears next album. It would be interesting to hear what he would do, floor them with his swiss triplet Ostinatos!

Thanks for the insight you guys are bringing to the board some of it is definitely worthwhile for alot of guys including me.

Best regards Kirk