November 1984
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MODERN DRUMMER VOL.8, NO. 11 Cover Photo by Lissa Wales FEATURES RUSS KUNKEL Studio drummers are often required to imitate the styles of other drummers, and one of the drummers they most frequently imitate is Russ Kunkel. His playing with such artists as James Taylor and Carole King in the early '70s defined the "laid back" California style, and he continues to be in demand for recordings as well as for concert tours. In this MD exclusive, he discusses everything from the artists he's worked with to the very drums he's played. by Robin Tolleson 8 COZY POWELL Powell's work with acts such as Jeff Beck, Ritchie Blackmore and Rainbow, and Whitesnake has established him as a hard rocker of the first -degree. He is also considered to be one of the founders of the heavy metal style of drumming. But Powell doesn't care for the heavy metal label, and he explains why in this candid discussion of his life and his music. by Robyn Flans 14 FOCUS ON TEACHERS: PART 2 John Beck by William F. Miller; Joel Leach by Dave Black; Sonny Igoe by Chip Deffaa; Steve Houghton by Susan Alexander; Chuck Flores by Richard Monette; Richie Lepore by Robert Beck 18 HORACEE ARNOLD An accomplished composer, educator, and drummer, Horacee Arnold's career has taken him around the globe with some of the great jazz musicians, including Jan Hammer, John Abercrombie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Chick Corea. Arnold discusses his experiences, his views on the relationship between composition and drumming, and his current activities. by Lee Jeske 24 COLUMNS CLUB SCENE EDUCATION The Visual Element EQUIPMENT JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP by Rick Van Horn 100 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP Creative Hi-Hat ROCK CHARTS Tama Artstar Kit by Randy Martin 36 Russ Kunkel: "Get Closer" by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. 76 104 THE MUSICAL DRUMMER by James Morton JUST DRUMS 122 Swing Phrases CONCEPTS by Bill Molenhof 66 Stars Are Only Human 112 IN THE STUDIO by Roy Burns NEWS A Positive Bass Drum Sound UPDATE 116 by Larrie Londin 80 PROFILES INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 120 ROCK PERSPECTIVES UP AND COMING Beat Study #16 82 Denise Dufort by David Garibaldi 30 by Robert Santelli DEPARTMENTS TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS Neil Appel: Manager On Management PORTRAITS EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 by Rick Van Horn 84 Jim Capaldi READER'S PLATFORM 4 by Gene Kalbacher 40 ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC ASK A PRO 6 Adding Variety To Simple Grooves ON THE MOVE DRUM MARKET 106 102 Joe London and Joan Peteani IT'S QUESTIONABLE 114 by Bradley Branscum 98 PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Isabel Spagnardi A New EDITOR Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly MANAGING EDITOR Image Rick Van Horn ASSOCIATE EDITORS Susan Hannum William F. Miller EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Robin De Paul I receive a considerable amount of mail from readers each week. Every so often, a letter lands on my desk that stops me in my tracks because it ART DIRECTOR seems to say something rather special—something I hadn't thought much David H. Creamer about before—bringing to light a certain intangible value in the magazine. ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Here's a recent example: Kevin W. Kearns Dear Ron, ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR Congratulations on the fine job you and your staff have done Isabel Spagnardi ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER with Modern Drummer. As a local professional, I've learned a Ann Thompson great deal from the magazine over the past eight years. I'm certain ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER my drumming has improved through the monthly musical Ellen Corsi columns, as has my general understanding of what it means to be a DEALER SERVICE MANAGER professional from the extremely practical advice you've run in Janet Gola nearly every issue. But I'm writing to tell you that, actually, MD has given me CIRCULATION something far beyond all that. As I read each issue, I'm always Leo Spagnardi Lori-Jean Broseman greatly impressed by the intelligence of the drumming artists who Tracy Kearney are interviewed, and the musical awareness each possesses. It's rare when I complete reading one of these articles without feeling SALES PROMOTION MANAGER proud to be a working member of our profession. The interviews, Evelyn Urry in a way, deepen my own inner sense of self-respect. For me, the real value of Modern Drummer centers on respect in MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD several ways. The respect we drummers have gained for ourselves Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, Bill Bru- is one. I feel stronger about my position in the music world than ford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Les DeMerle, Len DiMu- zio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Danny Gottlieb, ever before, and I know this change in my thinking is due to the Sonny Igoe, Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, Mel Lewis, confidence I've gained through reading the magazine. Larrie Londin, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Butch There's also the respect we've gained for each other. The maga- Miles, Joe Morello, Andy Newmark, Neil Peart, Charlie zine has brought us closer together in a way, showing us that we Perry, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve Smith, Ed can learn from one another. I know that I feel much more open Thigpen. with other drummers—more willing to discuss and share ideas, and I feel that same willingness from them. CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Finally, MD has stimulated a certain respect that I now sense Susan Alexander, Charles M. Bernstein, Scott K. Fish, Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Dave Levine, Robert from other musicians. I know of a number of nondrummers who Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Chip Stern, Robin Tolle- read the magazine regularly and praise it highly, and I feel they've son, T. Bruce Wittet. gained a great deal of respect for us through the magazine. When other musicians read our magazine, it helps to further dispel the MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is myth that drummers are nonmusicians, at the very bottom of the published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publica- musical totem pole, or that we gravitated to the instrument because tions, Inc., 1000 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. Sec- we lacked the ability to master another. We've always known this ond-Class Postage paid at Clifton, NJ 07013 and at addi- to be untrue, but now I can feel this change in attitude coming from tional mailing offices. Copyright 1984 by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Repro- other musicians, in social interaction, as well as on the bandstand duction without the permission of the publisher is pro- where I earn my living. hibited. More than all the licks, the grooves, the practice patterns, the SUBSCRIPTIONS: $21.95 per year; $39.95, two years. equipment reviews and the photographs, this is what the magazine Single copies $2.50. MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes manu- has really done for all of us, and I thank you and the Modern scripts, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. Drummer staff for it above everything else. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, Raymond Bouchard stamped envelope. Denver, CO CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old and new address. Thank you, Ray. It's letters like this that inspire us to roll up our shirt MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern sleeves and dig in harder each day to make it even better for people like Drummer Publications, Inc., Dealer Service, 1000 Clif- you. ton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. (201) 778-1700. POSTMASTER: Send Address Changes to Modern Drummer, 1000 Clifton Ave., Clifton, NJ 07013. RESPONSE TO SIMMONS Thank you, Terry Bozzio, for showing all SAM ASH EXPO In response to Dave Simmons' comment, of us what real, great rock drumming is all It was my good fortune that our band was "Acoustic drums are a bit of a dinosaur, about. on vacation during the Drum Expo '84 and eventually they will disappear or go Bob Chrisom sponsored by the Sam Ash Music Stores. the same way as the acoustic piano as far as North Quincy, MA This was the first such event I have modern music and rock music are con- attended, but definitely not the last! The cerned,' ' my most immediate reaction is an TOM ARDOLINO equipment displays were very interesting, appropriate little cliche we use down here Having been a fan and admirer of NRBQ but the clinics were worth ten times the in Texas: Bullshit! for years, I would like to congratulate admission price. L.E. Wells Laurice Niemtus on an excellent portrait Staying at the hotel where the Expo was Houston, TX of Tom Ardolino (Aug. '84). Tom is truly held not only kept me close to the action, a natural on the drums, as anyone who has but allowed me to meet, on a more per- This letter is directed to Mr. Dave Sim- seen him play in person can attest. Thanks sonal basis, such greats as Roy Burns and mons. I read the article entitled Inside Sim- to Modern Drummer and Laurice Niemtus Les DeMerle, both of whom are warm, mons in the July '84 MD, and I think Mr. for giving this underrated talent the recog- personable individuals. Thanks to Roy Simmons does not know what he's talking nition he deserves. and Les for their time and talents, to Joe about. The part that I really can't under- Vinnie Brandi Morello for a quarter of a century of inspi- stand is how Mr. Simmons can say, "As a Dalton, MA ration, to all the other wonderful clini- non-drummer, I know what a drum should cians—especially Tama's Dom Famularo, an incredible drummer and public do." It would seem to me that a non-drum- BABY DODDS mer should not be making drums in the speaker—to Steve Gadd (what can be I enjoyed your article on Baby Dodds, said?) and especially Sam Ash for making first place, because he does not know what especially since I had the pleasure of hear- a drum should do.