November 1981
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Cover Photo by Eric Keltner FEATURES: JIM KELTNER Since his first recordings with Gary Lewis in the '60s, Jim Keltner has become one of the most well-respected drummers in the business. In this revealing MD interview, he speaks of his experiences with such artists as John Lennon, Boy Dylan, and Ringo Starr, and shares his thoughts on balancing personal happiness with the demands of being a musician. 10 ED BLACKWELL New Orleans-born Ed Blackwell is probably best known for his work with the influential saxophonist Ornette Coleman, and while Blackwell's contribution to Coleman's music was certain- ly innovative, it is only one aspect of his total career. Blackwell discusses his many influences and experiences, and how these were combined to give him something very unique—a truly individual style. 14 TERRY BOZZIO It takes a special drummer to work with Frank Zappa, whose music is a combination of just about everything. Terry Bozzio not only met the challenge, but he did it so well as to become one of the most popular and best known of Zappa's long roster of drummers. Bozzio offers an interesting look into today's music scene, and into his own musical development. 22 THE EVOLUTION OF THE DRUM SET- SONNY GREER: THE ELDER STATESMAN 30 PART 1 18 OF JAZZ ARE DRUMS HARMING YOUR EARS? 25 COLUMNS: EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 COMPLETE PERCUSSIONIST Donald Knaack ASK A PRO 4 by Rick Mattingly 66 READER'S PLATFORM 6 IT'S QUESTIONABLE by Cheech Iero 73 JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP Stickings—Part I DRUM SOLOIST by Gary Chaffee 34 Ed Blackwell—"Bemsha Swing" by Skip Shaffer 74 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC Ambidexterity—Part 2 ROCK PERSPECTIVES by Roberto Petaccia 38 Future Sounds IN MEMORIUM by David Garibaldi 80 Roberto Petaccia by Scott K. Fish 46 SHOW AND STUDIO Bobby Rosengarden CONCEPTS by Joe Buerger 92 Cymbals: Tips and Myths by Roy Burns 49 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Simmons SDS5 Modular Drum Synthesizer STAYING IN TUNE by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. 98 by Hal Blaine 50 DRUM MARKET 100 CLUB SCENE Headset Microphones for the Singing Drummer by Rick Van Horn 58 INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 104 106 62 JUST DRUMS PRINTED PAGE STAFF: EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly MANAGING EDITOR Scott K. Fish ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mark Hurley Paul Uldrich ART DIRECTOR I'm saddened by the fact that the drum world recently lost a dear Tom Mandrake friend in Roberto Petaccia who died of cancer in New York City at the ADVERTISING DIRECTOR age of 29. Roberto was MD's primary contributing editor for Rock N Jean Mazza Jazz Clinic. Those of us who work on the magazine feel a very special ASSISTANT ADVERTISING MANAGER loss, as he was truly a key member of our team. Charlene David Roberto was really much more than a superb drummer. He was an ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR unselfish gentleman whose deep compassion for young players, and in- Isabel Spagnardi satiable enthusiasm for performing, writing and teaching, were infec- ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER tious. He was the essence of that special camaraderie which exists be- Ann Lambariello tween drummers universally. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER In an effort to maintain that spirit, the Directors of Modern Drum- Carol Morales mer have decided to establish a scholarship in his name. The Roberto CIRCULATION Petaccia Memorial Scholarship will be awarded annually to a talented Leo L. Spagnardi and worthy drummer who has been deprived of an opportunity for ad- Ellen Urry vanced musical education. The scholarship will be coordinated through SALES PROMOTION MANAGER the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and the winner will be select- Evelyn Urry ed by MD each year. Further details can be obtained by writing to the Berklee College of Music, c/o Scholarship Committee, 1140 Boylston MD ADVISORY BOARD Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Horacee Ar- Street, Boston, MA 02215. nold, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Roy Burns, One final note, Roberto had submitted several installments of his Jim Chapin, Billy Cobham, Les DeMerle, Len Rock 'n' Jazz Clinic in advance. We plan to continue publishing the se- DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly. Saul Goodman. ries until it is completed. Though some may question our decision, we Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jaimo Johnson, feel certain that Roberto would have wanted to continue sharing his Don Lamond, Mel Lewis, Peter Magadini, ideas with you. Butch Miles, Joe Morello, Neil Peart. Charlie Perry, Charli Persip, Joe Pollard, Arthur Joe Cocker, Delaney & Bonnie, John Lennon and Bob Dylan are Press, Paul Price, Paul Real. Paul T. Riddle, just a few of the artists drummer Jim Keltner has performed with. A Ed Shaughnessy, Lenny White. household word in the L.A. studios, Keltner shares his views and phi- CONTRIBUTING WRITERS losophies, musical and otherwise, in this penetrating profile by MD's Susan Alexander, Rich Baccaro, Robert Carr, Scott K. Fish. Jim Dearing. Clint Dodd, Robyn Flans. Stan- Terry Bozzio has worked with the Brecker Brothers. Frank Zappa ley Hall, Harold Howland, Cheech Iero, Dave and UK. An outspoken 29 year old, Terry lives for performing and Levine, Bruce Nixon. Michael Rozek, Mi- tells all in Bozzio: Burnin'. chael Shore, Robin Tolleson. T. Bruce Wittet. Firmly rooted in the New Orleans traditional style and a student of African rhythms, Ed Blackwell was a key figure in the music of Or- MODERN DRUMMER Magazine ASSN 0194- nette Coleman during the early sixties. And at age 78, Sonny Greer 4533) is published 9 times yearly, February, still maintains an active performing schedule. In The Elder Statesman April, May, June, July, August, October, of Jazz, Sonny paints a delightful picture as he reminisces on 28 years November and December by Modern Drum- in the Ellington drum chair during the heyday of that great orchestra. mer Publications, Inc., 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07013. Second Class Postage Danny Read's Evolution of the Drum Set: Part I is a fascinating paid at Clifton, N.J. 07015 and at Richmond, look at the development of the instrument with some great photo- Virginia 23219. Copyrighted 1981 by Modern graphs. And if you've ever had your ears ring after a full night's work, Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights re- you'll learn more about it from health and science editor Jim Dearing, served. Reproduction without the permission who explores one of our most prevalent occupational health hazards of the publisher is prohibited. SUBSCRIP- in, Are Drums Harming Your Ears? TIONS: $15.95 per year, $28.95, two years. November's column roster is as diverse as it is enlightening. For Single copies $2.00. MANUSCRIPTS: Mod- openers, there's Dave Garibaldi with some incredible challenges for ern Drummer welcomes manuscripts, howev- mind and body, Roy Burns on cymbal myths, Gary Chaffee on stick- er, cannot assume responsibility for them. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self- ings, Roberto Petaccia on ambidexterity, and Rick Van Horn on the addressed stamped envelope. CHANGE OF new Shure miking system for the singing drummer. You can also read ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a about percussionist Donald Knaack, TV drummer-conductor Bobby change. Please provide both old and new Rosengarden, and the amazing Simmons SDS5. address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drum- Finally, the editors of Modern Drummer dedicate this issue to the mer is available for resale at bulk rates. memory of Robert Petaccia. He will be missed. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer Publications, Inc.. 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clif- ton, N.J. 07013. (201) 778-1700. POSTMAS- TER: Send form 3579 to Modern Drummer, 1000 Clifton Avenue. Clifton. N.J. 07013. STEWART COPELAND LENNY WHITE Q. What do you think of the tonal quality and practicality of Evans Hydraulic heads Q. Do you think there is anything now and Remo Roto-toms? being played on drums that hasn't been James Casey played before? Carteret, NJ Eddie Tabile Springfield, Mo. A. No, but allow me to explain my think- ing. There are a finite number of rudi- ments which make up drumming, but an infinite number of combinations in which they can be played. Percussion players and African/Latin rhythms greatly influ- BARRETT DEEMS ence contemporary music. That's what makes it sound like there's something Q. You were once billed as the fastest new being played. It's the placement of drummer in the world. Do you feel you're the rudiments in today's music that still the fastest? Also, how long have you makes it sound new. Music has changed, been playing? and so has the placement of the rudi- Richard Hoffman ments, yet the rudiments remain the Buffalo, N.Y. same. That does not mean to say that A. There are a lot of good boys around, drummers aren't playing anything worth- but many drummers have said I'm play- while. If you were to go back and listen ing faster now than I did 30 years ago. I closely to the playing of Max Roach, still practice 3-4 hours a day. I some- Buddy Rich, Sid Catlett, Elvin Jones, times practice with winter gloves on. That Gene Krupa, Philly Joe Jones and Tony really puts some chops on you. I was 68 A. I don't like the Evans Hydraulic Williams, you would fully understand years old last March, and have been heads. I feel they're very dead sounding, what I'm saying. It's just new interpreta- hitting the drums for about 63 years. It's and that they absorb the impact of the tions of basic licks. I will say that what's the one thing, outside of my family, that drumstick and soak up all the response new today is the use of the instruments keeps me happy.