FAMOUS DRUMMERS QUIZ WIN A FREE ONE YEAR'S SUBSCRIPTION! Name this famous drummer who played with the Count Basie Orchestra of 1940. One year's free subscription to Modern Drummer magazine to the first 10 winning entries postmarked before February 1, 1977. Send your answer with return address to: MODERN DRUMMER MAGAZINE C/O FAMOUS DRUMMERS QUIZ 47 HARRISON STREET NUTLEY, NEW JERSEY 07110 MD JANUARY 1977 Editor's Overview If you're a drum student, an aspiring pro, a teacher, professional player, or just a plain old drum enthusiast from eight to eighty, Modern Drummer is meant for you. Welcome to our inaug- ural issue. Drummers have long needed a voice in the form of an intelligent publica- tion encompassing all phases of the art, and we hope to establish ourselves in this and future issues, as a significant force in the field of drum education, and as a platform for the exchange of ideas. We're basically for the drummer IN THIS ISSUE who's interested in growing as a music- ian and in search of a source from which FEATURES: he might draw some intelligent conclu- View From The Top: sions. We hope to be that source by Exclusive Buddy Rich Interview 4 staying abreast of the latest in styles, artists, and equipment; by keeping the MD Shoppers Guide looks at pages of Modern Drummer as relevant Ludwig, Sonor and Pearl 6 to the needs of todays drummer as possible; and by keeping our fingers One-Thousand Year Old Duffy Jackson 9 firmly placed on the pulse of our fast growing, ever changing industry. Our Billy Cobham: Equipment Close-Up 10 publication will be free in spirit and content, and since we have no stake in Understanding Rhythm 11 any particular line or its endorsers, we can afford to be completely represen- COLUMNS: tative and unbiased in our presentation It's Questionable 3 of artists and equipment. Rock Perspectives 12 The diversity of our column titles are Jazz Drummers Workshop 13 indicative of the scope of our magazine: Rudimental Symposium 14 Jazz Drummers Workshop, Rock Per- Strictly Technique 15 spectives, Driver's Seat, The Complete Drivers Seat 16 Percussionist, Rudimental Symposium, Complete Percussionist, 17 Show & Studio, etc. It is our hope and On The Job 18 belief that all drummers will find some- Show and Studio 19 thing of interest, and perhaps inspiration Shop Talk. 20 through the pages of any one issue. We Printed Page 21 will continue to publish the educational From The Past 22 thoughts of some of the most respected Industry Happenings 23 and esteemed authorities of our era, Drum Soloist 24 along with in-depth, enlightening inter- Just Drums 25 views with some of the most influential players, teachers, and experts in the field. We hope to represent all drum relat- ed organizations in our advertising pages, press releases, and special feature sections. We openly invite correspond- EDITOR: Ronald Spagnardi ence from all. We'd also like to hear ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Paul Uldrich from you, the reader. Please, let's have MANAGING EDITOR: Michael Cramer your comments and suggestions. We ART DIRECTOR: Robert Algieri think this issue contains some very PRODUCTION MANAGER: Roger Elliston meaty reading for drummers, and we ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: William F. Selig hope you'll find it entertaining and in- CIRCULATION MANAGER: Nancy Schuller formative. One final note. The path MD has fol- lowed from original concept through the research, planning, and preparation stages, has involved a great deal of time and effort on the part of many individ- (continued page 21) READERS PLATFORM The letters reprinted here are typical I'm very interested in your magazine. of the hundreds we have received over Many of my friends and I have antici- the past several months. We thank you, pated such vital reading for some time one and all. Please continue to write now. If it is not too much trouble, and tell us what you want to see in MODERN DRUMMER. Tell us what could you forward any back issues you you like or don't like about the maga- might have. I'm very interested. zine. We'll go to great lengths to give EZRA ROCK you what you want and need. We can't HEMPSTEAD, N. Y. please everyone, but we'll try. Thanks Ezra. Would if we could, but Vol. 1, No. 1 = Back Issue 1. I have been wondering when someone Here's my check for four dollars. It's would come out with a magazine ex- about time we had our own magazine. clusively for drummers. A magazine of this nature is long overdue. I have been BUD HALLBERG playing drums for fifteen years, and RENOVO, PA. have found that to get relevant inform- Enclosed is my subscription for one ation on my subject area, I had to dig year. Ever since I first saw Guitar Player and scrape through endless piles of music publications. I am hoping that and Contemporary Keyboard, I have with the advent of this publication, been waiting for a publication such as those days will be over. I am waiting yours. Being a progressive rock drum- with rapt anticipation for my first mer in my early 20's, I am looking for- issue. Good luck with your magazine. ward to your magazine to keep me in- formed on what is going on in modern MICHAEL POWERS percussion. OAKLAND, CALIF. HAROLD KITZMAN Modern Drummer sounds like an excel- WEST PITTSTON, PA. lent idea, one which I have been long awaiting. I congratulate and thank you, I've been waiting a long time for this and wish you the best of luck. Our shop kind of publication to come into exist- has an interest in antique drums and ence. I've been involved with drums we'd love to see a series of articles ap- and percussion for the last 19 years as proaching this subject. Best of luck both student and player. To my knowl- again. edge, your magazine is unique among music publications for its concentration TREVOR DA VIS, JR. on the fine art of drumming. Bass play- CHARLIE DONNELLY'S ers have their own rag; guitarists have a DRUM CENTRE choice from among several pieces of NEWINGTON, CONN. pop-literature. It's about time we had something for drummers, who, contrary We hear you Trev. We've received sev- to popular belief, are not illiterate! I eral requests for this kind of thing and we're working on it. Look for it in the wish you much success on your venture. near future. This is the best thing that's happened to literature concerning the art of percus- sion in a long time. JACK WATERS CINCINNATI, OHIO Please enter our subscription to your quarterly magazine. It's great someone is taking the initiative on educational percussion. Let us know if we might be able to help in any way. DROSTE'S DRUM DEN BILLINGS, MONTANA I am glad someone has started to put out a magazine just for drummers. Thanks a lot. MARK HILLKIRK CARLTON.PA. IT'S QUESTIONABLE by CHARLES McKAY Q. I am contemplating purchase of a 5 piece plastic shell set. Your opinion please of the plastic equipment. Q. I am beginning the study of timpani. What type of mal- J. R. lets would you recommend starting out with? PITTSBURGH, PA. B. T. A. Plastic shells are attractive and offer a unique tonal qual- MANSFIELD, MASS. ity. It is basically a hard, well defined sound, with sharp and A. Purchase an assortment of three or four varied pairs of powerful response, somewhat different from wood shells. hard and soft felts and experiment with each. You'll get a Plastic shells are good for all types of situations, but espe- better idea of which types and styles best suit your playing, cially well-suited for rock work. Choices in equipment should and at the same time you'll be exposed to the many types always be made on the basis of individual needs. available for the varied musical requirements that you're al- Q. I am a semi-professional player and have difficulty main- most certain to run up against. taining a consistent level of playing through an evening. By Q. I've been looking for a hi-hat stand which has a toe- the final hour I'm really beat. Everything seems to come out activated device for keeping the cymbals in a closed position. sloppy and uneven. What to do? Where can I find it? R. A. K. F. LEXINGTON, KY. SANTA FE, N. M. A. This is not an uncommon problem. Visit a competent A. The item you are talking about is called the "Rock- teacher who should set you up in an endurance development Lok" and is available from Pearl, c/o Norlin Co., 7373 Cicero program which will strengthen the muscles to a point where Ave., Lincolnwood, Illinois. they will not tire out early. As endurance increases, so does consistency in performance. It is up to you once this higher Q. I plan to play professionally and would like to use double stamina level has been reached, to stay in shape through daily bass drums. What is your opinion of double bass drum set-ups? practice sessions. Any lengthy layoff will have a noticeable T. C. effect. If you decide to go it alone, check out George L. SUN VALLEY, IDAHO Stones, "Stick Control", and follow the directions to the A. Inventive double bass drum playing can be very effective. letter. Double bass set-ups are excellent for solo work and for intri- Q.