January 1985
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Cover Photo by Paul Natkin/Photo Reserve ALAN WHITE During the '70s, Yes was the band responsible for some of the most innovative rock music of that period. With the skyrocketing resurgence of Yes, Alan White is once again being recognized for his innovative drumming style and sound. In this exclusive MD interview, Alan discusses his role in the "new" Yes, his technical and philosophical ideas about playing, and some of his varied experiences. by Robert Santelli ...................................... 8 SHELLY MANNE The drumming community was recently shocked by the sudden and untimely death of one of its most respected members, Shelly Manne. MD pays tribute to this great, influential artist by presenting an interview which was conducted only a few months before his death, as well as a discography of his greatest recordings, and remembrances by several of Shelly's notable drumming colleagues. by Charles M. Bernstein ................................ 14 OLLIE BROWN Drummer and percussionist Ollie Brown has performed with such notable artists as the Rolling Stones, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Diana Ross. Here, this multi-talented artist talks about his experiences with many of these performers, as well as his work as a record producer, and his recent success composing the music for the movie Breakin'. by Susan Alexander .................................... 20 NICK MASON Finding His Own Way by Robyn Flans ........................................ 24 JIMMY BRALOWER Creating Illusion by Rick Mattingly ...................................... 28 TEACHER'S FORUM PROFILES EDUCATION The Money-Minded Teacher TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS by Rodman A. Sims ............. 94 UP AND COMING Mail Order Percussion Ed McClary ROCK CHARTS by Scott K. Fish ................. 34 by Lauren Vogel ................ 44 Alan White: "Owner Of A Lonely CLUB SCENE Heart" ON THE MOVE Studying Yourself by Mike Myers.................. 96 Jon Schwartz and Richard Avalon .. 84 by Rick Van Horn............... 46 LISTENER'S GUIDE JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP by Ed Shaughnessy and Larrie NEWS Jazz Rhythms In 7/4 Londin ....................... 100 by Chuck Kerrigan .............. 66 UPDATE ...................... 110 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS .... 116 Simulated Double Bass by Richard Meyers .............. 80 SETUP UPDATE DEPARTMENTS Ed Thigpen and Rod Morgenstein... 38 CONCEPTS EDITOR'S OVERVIEW............ 2 Memories Of Shelly PRODUCT CLOSE-UP READER'S PLATFORM ......... 4 by Roy Burns................... 82 Pearl GLX Series Drumkit ASK A PRO ......................... 6 THE MUSICAL DRUMMER by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. ........... 40 Shifting Gears DRUM MARKET................... 106 by Bill Molenhof................ 92 JUST DRUMS .................. 120 IT'S QUESTIONABLE .......... 108 PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Isabel Spagnardi EDITOR Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly A New MANAGING EDITOR Rick Van Horn Home ... ASSOCIATE EDITORS Susan Hannum William F. Miller As we embark on our ninth year of publication, I'm glad to report that EDITORIAL ASSISTANT we are now located in our newly designed office building in Cedar Grove, Elaine Cannizzaro New Jersey, roughly 30 minutes west of New York City. Though only a mere five miles from our previous home of six years, the new MD facility ART DIRECTOR offers us a great many more features, and adequately houses the entire David H. Creamer Modern Drummer Publications operation. Everything from art and edito- ADVERTISING DIRECTOR rial departments, advertising sales and conference facilities, to computer Kevin W. Kearns rooms, library, and shipping and receiving are all under the one roof of our ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR attractive new quarters. We certainly hope to serve the ever-widening Mod- Isabel Spagnardi ern Drummer and Modern Percussionist audience even better during the ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER coming years from our new home base. Our new address is: Modern Ellen Corsi Drummer Publications, 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, New Jersey DEALER SERVICE MANAGER 07009. Janet Gola CIRCULATION Leo Spagnardi Lori-Jean Broseman Shelly... Tracy Kearney SALES PROMOTION MANAGER On a much more somber note, it's with considerable sadness that I men- Evelyn Urry tion the death of Shelly Manne. You'll find our special tribute to Shelly in this issue, which includes vintage photographs, comments from some MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD rather well-known admirers, and Shelly's very last interview, conducted in Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, Bill Bru- San Francisco by MD's Charles Bernstein three months prior to the distin- ford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Les DeMerle, Len DiMu- zio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Danny Gottlieb, guished drummer's death. Sonny Igoe, Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, Mel Lewis, Coming up from the bands of Woody Herman and Stan Kenton during Larrie Londin, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Butch the late '40s, Shelly swiftly rose to become not only the pioneer, but the Miles, Joe Morello, Andy Newmark, Neil Peart, Charlie veritable mainstay of the West Coast brand of "cool jazz" drumming, as Perry, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, Ed well. His intricate tonal experimentations utilized brushes, mallets, fin- Thigpen. gers—even coins rotating on drumheads. A highly unique stylist, Shelly was, without doubt, one of the most tasteful, swinging and inventive CONTRIBUTING WRITERS drummers in jazz, and evidence of this can be heard on virtually hundreds Susan Alexander, Charles M. Bernstein, Scott K. Fish, Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Dave Levine, Robert of wonderful jazz recordings. Though one of L. A.'s most successful ses- Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Chip Stern, Robin Tolle- sion players for the past two decades, Shelly was, nonetheless, a devoted son, T. Bruce Wittet. jazz drummer who stayed in close touch with the music he loved through- out his long professional career. MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publica- I truly wish I could say I knew Shelly Manne better than I did. On a per- tions, Inc., PO Box 469, 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar sonal level, 1 was greatly influenced for a good many years by his remark- Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class Postage paid at Cedar able artistry behind a drumset. However, I really only knew the man Grove, NJ 07009 and at additional mailing offices. through his music. I once did have the pleasure of speaking with him, Copyright 1985 by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction without the permission briefly, when shortly after his MD October '81 cover story hit the stands, of the publisher is prohibited. he called from California in a most humble manner simply to say, SUBSCRIPTIONS: $21.95 per year; $39.95, two years. "Thanks for the article." Needless to say, I was at a bit of a loss for words Single copies $2.50. It was a warm and gracious gesture I'll always remember and which surely MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes manu- scripts, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. proves what a true gentleman he was. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, Shelly was 64 years old when he passed away on September 26. The stamped envelope. drumming world has lost a true giant, and with that simple fact in mind, I CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a would like to dedicate the January issue of Modern Drummer to the mem- change. Please provide both old and new address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for ory of Shelly Manne. resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, Dealer Service, PO Box 469, 870 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: 800-221-1988. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, PO Box 1176, Dover, NJ 07801. CARMINE APPICE read your concepts every month and get PREMIER RESPONDS I would like to clear up some things that much inspiration from them, because of It was rather surprising that when someone were said about me in the "Tribute To your optimistic attitude and your caring asked a question about Premier (It's Ques- John Bonham" article, as well as my latest for the up-and-coming drummers such as tionable, October '84 issue), you didn't interview in the September MD issue myself. However, this article caught me ask Premier for the answer! Indeed, in the "Carmine Appice/Telling It Like It Is." completely off guard. process, a damaging inference was made Most importantly, I would like everyone The first item that shocked me was the about the size and validity of our drums in to know the facts about me and John manner in which you referred to comments today's marketplace. Bonham. What I actually said during these made by a "prejudiced" drummer. They All Premier drums are true international interviews was . are by no means "dumb" or "foolish"; size, and accept the latest heads made by 1. "Bonzo and Zep opened up for the they are merely a cry for help. If one has anybody, anywhere in the world. The 10" Vanilla Fudge in 1968 and we became good the time, one should find out what the axis drum was the last to be brought into line friends before he achieved worldwide suc- of this negative attitude is (i.e., lack of with world standards nearly four years cess and acclaim." self-confidence, lack of proficiency in ago, at the beginning of 1980. Before that, 2. "In the early days of his career, Bonzo style), and try to help that person rebuild the 12" and 16" toms were changed 17 told me many times (and I got this straight to a state of self-satisfaction. If such peo- years ago, in 1967; it says much for the lon- from the horse's mouth) that I was one of ple want to be like, or play like, the person gevity and quality of those drums that his drum heroes. Before Zeppelin's suc- or persons they are discrediting, then I enthusiasts want to continue playing them cess, he used to study the first three Vanilla would refer to your own statement that today despite the odd sizing.