130 Drummers I've seen and Heard in my Lifetime (Digital Download)

“130 Drummers I’ve Seen And Heard In My Lifetime” started with my writing down (in chronological order) all of the drummers I’ve seen / and heard / In My Lifetime.

 My initial number was 90 something. A year ago, June 2022, I discovered and started my Substack site. The 100 drummer’s idea came to me. I thought my Substack site would be a good platform for my post. I had already started posting my music, video and the mp3 audio narration from my book “Notes of a Young Drummer 1966 - 1969.”

The first post is the great drummer Bobby Caldwell. This starts in 1965 then moves to Dino Danelli and bands I saw as a 15-16 year old at teen clubs. (1966) Most were at my favorite Orlando venue, The Tiki Club.

There are many drummers that found their way into my original 90, which were not there in the beginning. I guess that would be 40.

Trying to create each drummer post in chronological order was a difficult process. I’ve done my best. There’s drummer’s post-from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s – up to 2019.

“Notes of a Young Drummer 1966 - 1969” ended at December 1969. I have had readers of my “Notes” book ask about a continuum from that project. I never thought about doing it. I was finished with that concept.

Time traveling back into the past and writing about my working, living and surrounding circumstances has been enlightening. I hope it adds to the drummer content I write about. It’s a timeline of my journey in the music business. You’ll see it includes being a musician, retail music store employee, Walt Disney World Musician, Manufactures Representative, AFM Administrator, Independent Recording Artist, Author, Music Producer, Educator and other things. (Maybe a bit self indulgent)

My music reflection (looking back) puts my journey into some perspective of planning and random chaos. 1967 to 2023 is 56 years of playing the drums and percussion through many different styles of music. Myself, looking at these 130 drummers, I see they usually had one focused genre and style they built upon. I’ve spent many hours thinking about that.

Why can’t I settle down and play Only Jazz, Only Blues, Only Improvisational Sound? I was employed as Percussionist with an Orchestra in 1981. I worked hard learning “Legit” snare, xylophone and orchestra repertoire. Then completely abandoned that career after 2 years.  

My journey began at age 17, playing without any education or academic training. I played what I felt on bandstands with old people. Most were professional musicians. That’s what they did. I had no idea I’d be a Jazz, Avant- Garde, Blues, Classical, Experimental, Fusion, Improvisational, Polka, Dixieland, Big Band, Country, Bebop, Orchestra, Theme Park Drummer.

That summer of 1967, I was just playing 4/4 beats and groove that fit the songs that were popular on radio and records. Music the audience was familiar with and enjoyed. I look at my journey as a unique unplanned path. Although, I did steer the wheel towards several planned music goals. I motivated myself towards learning academic theory. Tommy Thomas was the mentor that encouraged me to learn “Legit” music.

In my Substack rants and various notes, I’ve written about those that influence us in our journey. I’ve had many positive teachers / musicians that I learned from, without knowing it, at the time. Musicians I played with many years on different bandstands.

I will also confess, I’ve become aware that some of my music influences were because I wanted to be part of a group. (What Is Hip) Before that period of time, my path as a 4/4 beat grove drummer was solid. I had a good commercial working relationship with bandleaders that hired or needed a nightclub / show band drummer.

Looking back, my intrinsic effort to become a better musician / drummer had a negative effect on my professional career in the working class nightclub environment. I had a bandleader I worked with many years in the 70s. He heard me in the 90s. He ask me if could still play his 70s material. There’s always been that mentality. I first detected it in the 60s. Jazz musicians were not employable in Top 40 club bands. There are always exceptions.

Writing this book, looking at these 130 drummers, 50+ years of music, Rock, Funk, Blues, Avant Garde, Country, Jazz and more, I feel I’ve come full circle.

I still enjoy playing the drums. I actually played one of my first gigs in public this past weekend. It was very enjoyable. The music was challenging and the musicians I played with are very good. I could either sound good or bad. It went well.

I’m not a great people person when performing in public. I enjoy playing music without being an entertainer. Somehow, this became my DNA from my first gig at age 16. I was supposed to be entertaining in an odd way. Smiling and animated. I’m not that. Anyway, it was quite refreshing to have the tables of people in that audience coming to me and complimenting me on my playing, making the group sound good. I’m happy that my efforts were enjoyed. By the listener and viewer.

In 2023, at the age of 73, I’m semi energized and motivated to put myself on the front line to offer my services to the listening public. Before the big “you know what” I was starting to shop myself around for some gigs, then everything stopped. Still Remember That? Here in Florida, it wasn’t as bad as other States. I’ll leave it at that.

So, I think I can still pack up my stuff and play a gig. (At 73 it’s easier to forget my sticks, foot pedal or drum seat)

If you’re reading this without knowing about my Substack site, I post almost daily. You’ll also be able to view earlier post, now part of the book. The benefit of the Substack site is. I add Youtube video links. (Entertaining and Educational) My site is called. 

Notes From An “Old” Drummer