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Just a question for those who have met their drum heros. Was it a good experience or did it change your perception of what you liked about them before? A case in point is a former instructor of mine, Rick, used to really worship Tony Williams playing. One night at a TW gig after the show he went around into the alley to see if he could meet his drum hero. There he was standing in the alley after the gig having a cigar and talking to some people. My friend nervously waited until he could get a word in. When the time came he approached Tony and said "I really enjoy your playing and have always dug what you have recorded including the early Miles stuff." At that point Tony grabbed my friend and pushed him up against the wall. He then said "You don't know anything about my playing you white #$*^%@$*&". He got so worked up that his friends had to break it up to let my friend loose. At that point Rick just left and said screw that shit. I don't need to have anything more to do with Tony.
Now after hearing that I thought to myself that maybe it is not always a good idea to get to know your drum heros since they may not live up to your expectations. Playing wise there are so many great drummers to listen to that I enjoy. Some of them that I've met have been cool while others have been too weird to deal with.
Do any of you guys have a hero story to share?
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I think we tend to put people like that on a higher level of expectation, and they can never be good enough a person, because the bar we set is so high.
So many great musicians are/were arseholes... It's a shame, but they're humans just as we are.
That Tony story is just scary, though. Jesus... what a jerk!
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I got to see Tony Williams perform live once, but never had the opportunity to meet him. I've heard similar stories about Ron Carter. All I can surmise is that those guys went through a whole different time back in the sixties.
I have met most of my drumming 'idols', and I guess I've been lucky in that they've all been very gracious. The list includes Mark Craney, Graham Lear, Chad Wackerman, Terry Bozzio, Jeff Porcaro, Vinnie Colaiuta, Simon Phillips, Vito Rezza, Paul DeLong, Steve Smith, Louie Bellson, Carmine Appice, Leon "Ndugu" Chancler, Tommy Campbell, Ritchie Hayward, Chester Thompson and Dave Weckl.
I've actually become pretty friendly with some of these guys, and I swear to you that all of them are super nice.
The only drummers that I regret not seeing perform live are Keith Moon (r.i.p.), John Bonham (r.i.p.) and Stewart Copeland.
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ January 11, 2005 10:54 PM: Message edited by: drumming sort of person ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a"><font size="1">[ January 11, 2005 11:50 PM: Message edited by: drumming sort of person ]</font></font>
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 12, 2005 12:29 AM: Message edited by: drumming sort of person ]</font>
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by Cameron Mahoney:
[QB]I think we tend to put people like that on a higher level of expectation, and they can never be good enough a person, because the bar we set is so high.
So many great musicians are/were arseholes... It's a shame, but they're humans just as we are.
This is so very true ! The nicest of my idols i've met are 'Vinnie', 'Terry Bozzio', 'Billy Cobham' and 'Simon Phillips'. A couple of disappointments were meeting 'Bill Bruford' and 'Ritchie Hayward'. I was definately not out of line but i guess maybe they were having an off day or something. Neither one were mean but they just seemed a bit impatient and uninterested. That's life !
[img]smile.gif[/img]
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 11, 2005 11:37 PM: Message edited by: Blue Tav ]</font>
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"An individual's personality is absolutely reflected in his or her playing. It's a signature thing, like a thumbprint or timbre of somebody's voice."--Les Claypool MD 3/05 p130
The issue of personality and how someone plays is fascinating. At NAMM a few years ago, at the Vic Firth table was Weckl, Arnoff, & C Wackerman.
It was interesting how very different these guys were. Dave was like he is in his videos--sort of serious and straight forward. Kenny was loud and Mr Personality--talking to people who walked by while you waited next in line for a signature. Chad was mouse-like--gentle and quiet.
At first, thinking about Claypool's thought above, Tony is an aggressive player and his personality seems to reflect this. Yet, Bozzio is aggressive but gentle. Porcaro?s personality matches his drumming to me. Dave?s personality reflects in his drumming. Same with Chambers. Ahmir Thompson does as well. I?d love to write a book about this.
What about you guys? Does your drumming reflect your personality? Is it the opposite like Bozzio?s appears to be? If you love hi-hat like Billy Ward, does that reflect some part of your personality?
Interesting stuff.
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Sadly I must admit that I haven't created that much of my own voice on the drum set. I think your "voice" is ultimately how your personality shows. I would imagine that this is something that only develops with years of experience. I mean there's certain trademarks I may have in my playing, but after playing a solo I don't think that annoying could deduce whether I am aggressive, shy or gentle for example. know what I mean?
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Billy Cobham was doing a masterclass at the guildhall school of music with his band. Afterwards, I plucked up the courage to go up to him and say basically the same sort of things that drumaddicts former instructor said. All I got back was a kind of strange look and 'ah, ok' and that was it. Like he didn't care or maybe he was taken aback. Either way, I didn't feel very rewarded for going up to him and in fact I felt embarassed.
But my friend and I ended up packing away his drums for some reason, lol.
David Garibaldi at a drum event with a few other drummers on the bill. He came out front after he'd played to mingle and answer questions. I asked him a question about his snare drum and he gave me a one word answer with a very straight face and nothing more. I didn't feel comfortable pursuing a conversation with him. Then again, I'm very good at taking things the wrong way sometimes when I shouldn't.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 12, 2005 02:59 AM: Message edited by: Rudy_Ment ]</font>
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I have been very fortunate to meet some of my drum heroes like Elvin Jones, Peter Erskine, and Steve Ferrone. All of these gentlemen were very gracious and kind.
The first time, when I got to meet Vinnie Colaiuta, was eventful. I will try to give you the short version of a very long story. While Vinnie was playing, he saw a fan filming him after one of his band mates pointed it out to him. During the set, he got upset and started yelling into the audience. After the set was finished, he started chasing the fan. He was very upset and lost his temper. He ended up saying some things that he probably shouldn't have. After seeing my horrified and disappointed face, he apologized for what happened. Since that time, I have meet Vinnie a few times. I like to believe that Mr. C. has changed for the better as time has gone by.
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I'll focus on the good experiences:
Peter Erskine- met him at Rocco (when it was open in L.A.)- great guy, super-smart
Jason Bonham- we had a mutual female friend- great guy, loved his beer-- I know all about his supposed rep, but he's a sweet guy underneath it all. I think he's a slammin' rock drummer
Will Kennedy- met him after a Yellowjacket show because my buddy was friends with Haslip- when Will found out I was drummer, he let me sit on his set and try it (thought it was tricky because he's lefty), gave me his # for possible lessons, and found him a beautiful, warm human being
Matt Sorum- I had just heard him on the Burnin' For Buddy CD when I met him- told him I thought he was great- he just laughed- I said 'What's so funny?'- he said 'Dude, I was so nervous- I had to record after Weckl!' Real nice guy.
There's plenty of others, but I've met many celebrity types having lived in L.A. 16 years, and the fact is that some are jerks, and some just have bad days, and it gets amplified. If someone's a jerk, then I walk away and forget about it.
<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ January 12, 2005 05:40 AM: Message edited by: O Baterista ]</font>
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I forgot about Will... he was a class-act also. When i talked to him he asked me if i knew of any good churches to go to while he was in town. Very religious, humble guy.
As far as personality coming out in your playing... that is why we all practice, right? That, to me, would be the pinnacle of all the hard work put in. However, it is a funny thing because one could identify Lars right off the bat... however, i don't think he has reached that level, well, i KNOW he hasn't reached that level. Therefore, i guess i would rephase and say; to make an individual statement in a genre that is very tried and true, that is when you are at the upper echelon of your craft.
To step into pop music or jazz, or some other genre that has been around the block, and stay within the bounds of what that music 'is' and yet be identifiable and have your personality come through, that is when you have reached that level.
That is what i always strive for, practice hours and hours a day for. I sit and play to that damn click and work on those damned licks that i know i have to master before i can truly say something new. You know, break the bounds that separate the mind and body, bring the two closer together on a daily basis so i can say what i need to say.
I this is off topic, but i wanted to respond to Pocket... this would probably make a great topic. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]
