OCTOBER 1986 Reflections on the NAMM Show
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in this issue . VOL. 10, NO. 10 Features Cover Photo by Jaeger Kotos Columns DAVE WECKL EDUCATION ELECTRONIC INSIGHTS MIDI And The Electronic Drummer: Part 1 by Jim Fiore 46 ROCK PERSPECTIVES Applying The Paradiddle-diddle by Jeff Macko 62 TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS A Guide To Full-Time Employment: Part 2 by Michael Stevens 68 DRUM SOLOIST Dave Weckl: "Step It" by Ken Ross 70 CONCEPTS Kotos Mousey Alexander: Drumming And Courage Jaeger by Roy Burns 92 by CLUB SCENE Photo On The Clock For the past couple of years, musicians around New York by Rick Van Horn 94 have been referring to Dave Weckl as "the next guy." Now, with his exposure in Chick Corea's Elektric Band, the rest of the world is getting the chance to find out why. by Jeff Potter 16 EQUIPMENT SHOP TALK BOBBY BLOTZER Dream Product Contest Results 82 Providing the beat for Ratt has earned Bobby Blotzer a PRODUCT CLOSE-UP reputation as a first-class heavy metal drummer. While he For Hands And Feet appreciates the recognition, he's quick to point out that metal by Bob Saydlowski, Jr. 96 is not all that he can do. by Anne M. Raso 22 JUST DRUMS NAMM '86 From A to Z STAYING IN SHAPE: by Rick Mattingly 100 TIPS FROM THE PROS PART 1 PROFILES The world's top drummers share the personal fitness exercises, ON THE MOVE diets, and warm-ups that keep them in shape for the physical Biddie Freed: The Search For Respect aspects of drumming. by Russ Lewellen 40 by Ron Spagnardi 26 RANDY WRIGHT The drummer, featured vocalist, and bandleader in Barbara NEWS Mandrell's group discusses recent changes that have made the UPDATE 6 group more contemporary, and explains how Barbara's nearly fatal auto accident affected the whole band. by Robyn Flans 30 DEPARTMENTS DEBBI PETERSON EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 Although a lot of people tried to tell Debbi Peterson that girls READERS' PLATFORM 4 couldn't play drums, she didn't listen. Judging by her success ASK A PRO 10 with The Bangles, she did the right thing. IT'S QUESTIONABLE 12 by Robert Santelli 34 DRUM MARKET 90 OCTOBER 1986 Reflections On The NAMM Show If there's one thing for certain, it's that the drum It's hard to tell right now, though it was interesting industry has been, and continues to be, an industry to observe that some smaller companies came to very much on the move. And that's always a good the convention with more elaborate booths than sign. This month's issue of Modern Drummer ever, while some of the larger, more notable manu- presents—among other offerings—our annual facturers showed up with smaller, less impressive NAMM (National Association Of Music Mer- displays in comparison to past years. chants) Summer Expo report, detailing just what Another significant point of interest was evident you can expect to find in the way of percussion in in the area of electronics. Here's one segment of coming months. the industry moving forward quickly, with new There were a couple of major points of interest companies and products seemingly coming out of at the show this year. First, where once the ever- the woodwork. Despite it all, it was encouraging to changing drum and percussion industry was domi- sense a greater feeling of integration between elec- nated by a rather small, elite group of major com- tronic and acoustic people. Where once an appar- panies, it's now become considerably more ent attitude of acoustic versus electronics was pre- difficult to view anyone in a particular product area dominant, it was good to note a healthier attitude as the leader. It seems that, while many of the lead- of cooperation between the opposing factions. The ing manufacturers are now being forced to diver- common realization that each area has its own dis- sify to maintain their share of the marketplace, an tinct characteristics, which cannot be replaced by increasing number of younger, smaller, and more the other, seemed to pervade at the booths. specialized companies are eagerly moving in to I think it's safe to say that never before in the claim their own piece of the action. history of drumming have there been so very many For the moment, some are viewing this trend as options for drummers. However, keep in mind an industry going through a transition of sorts. that the majority of state-of-the-art drum equip- These same people feel certain that, in several ment requires more serious thought, study, and years, business will once again be dominated by preparation on our part than ever before. One can that small, prestigious group. Yet others seem to take the very first step simply by carefully examin- feel that we've pretty much seen the end of those ing just what's available out there in the expanding days, and to expect the smaller, specialized people world of drumming. And you'll find that informa- to have a greater share of success over the long run. tion in the Just Drums department this month. PUBLISHER ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Ronald Spagnardi Isabel Spagnardi Susan Alexander, Chip Deffaa, Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Jeff Potter, Teri Saccone, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Robert Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Robin Isabel Spagnardi Ellen Corsi Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. ASSISTANT EDITOR ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194- Tracy Kearney 4533) is published monthly by MODERN Ronald Spagnardi DRUMMER Publications, Inc., 870 Pompton DEALER SERVICE MANAGER Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Second-Class FEATURES EDITOR Angela Hogan Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ 07009 and at Rick Mattingly additional mailing offices. Copyright 1986 by CIRCULATION Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights MANAGING EDITOR Leo Spagnardi reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Rick Van Horn Sharon M. Leary SUBSCRIPTIONS: $22.95 per year; $41.95, two Crystal W. Van Horn years. Single copies $2.75. ASSOCIATE EDITORS MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes Susan Hannum SALES PROMOTION MANAGER manuscripts, however, cannot assume responsi- William F. Miller Evelyn Urry bility for them. Manuscripts must be accompa- nied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, weeks for a change. Please provide both old and Elaine Cannizzaro Bill Bruford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Les new address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is avail- DeMerle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter able for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspon- ART DIRECTOR Erskine, Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jim dence to Modern Drummer, Dealer Service, 870 David H. Creamer Keltner, Mel Lewis, Larrie Londin, Peter Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: 800- Magadini, George Marsh, Butch Miles, Joe 221-1988 or 201-239-4140. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mod- Morello, Andy Newmark, Neil Peart, Charlie ern Drummer, P.O. Box 469, Cedar Grove, NJ ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Perry, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, Steve 07009. Kevin W. Kearns Smith, Ed Thigpen. BILLY COBHAM included just about all aspects of drums Thank you very much for publishing your Thank you for an excellent article on Billy and accessories. These charts helped me in new Equipment Annual. Finally, I can Cobham in your July, 1986 issue. Even gathering important information for pur- refer my students and their parents to one though I am 29 years old, I come from the chasing a new set of drums without having comprehensive source of equipment infor- "old school" of jazz drumming. But over to go to many different drum retailers. I mation, instead of to an assortment of the years, I have been listening to Billy's also really liked the Retailers Guide, which often unavailable or misleading catalogs. I mastery as a drummer and composer, and helped me in selecting a drum retailer that especially appreciate the inclusion of list I can only say that he is a true pioneer of was located close to my home. I don't prices, since manufacturers don't always modern drumming. I recently attended know how to thank you all at Modern furnish this information directly to con- one of his drum clinics, and found that he Drummer. You have all done an excep- sumers. Bravo! is a warm person as well. He has a wonder- tional job. The Equipment Annual means Harold Howland ful attitude and spirit that show in his a lot to me and is something I've always Vienna, VA music. Every musician should look at Billy wanted. Keep up the excellent work! as an example of " keeping an open mind." Kevin Arendt I should know, because mine was once Bridgeview, IL SOUND SUPPLEMENT In your June article accompanying the closed. Peter Erskine Sound Supplement, the Richard Lester Many thanks and congratulations for Raleigh, NC equipment listing again failed to mention Modern Drummer's first Equipment RIMS. This seems unfortunate, but it Annual. Most people don't realize what an could be a good sign. I hope that we are I feel that your interview with Billy exhaustive process a project like this Cobham was the best article I've read in approaching the time when mentioning the entails. A drummer will go into his or her use of RIMS becomes as perfunctory as your periodical so far, and it had a tough favorite drum shop, pick up a copy, leaf act to follow. It was thorough and interest- stating that drumsticks were used to strike through it quickly, and say, "Wow, this is the drums. ing to read. I consider Mr.