Johny Barbata

The Legendary Life of a Rock Star Drummer

Every now and then a great and unique life story comes along that has all the right elements in place to make it worth reading for anyone.

This is a true story of intrigue and substance about a passionate and bold person, written in his naturally personable and affable style, teeming with the confidence of someone who really lived the life of which he writes.

Johny Barbata. One of the greatest Rock & Roll drummers of all time his name is synonymous with the best in music was born in Passaic, New Jersey, April 1, 1945. Now, he shares the days and nights of his life as a star musician on the road with hit groups such as the Turtles; Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Steven Stills, and Neil Young, as well as Jefferson Airplane; and Jefferson Starship.

Already a established session drummer when he joined The Turtles, he was one of the pioneering drummers who converted pop music rhythms from the down-beat rhythms of the 195o's to the off-beat rhythms that have dominated ever since. Johny lived the high-life most people only dreamed about and he met challenges rarely experienced. In this first person narrative, he relates the stories that shaped his life, with behind-the-scenes and after-the-show details. The life and times of this superstar drummer and his encounters around the world are chronicled from his earliest days when he discovered music to the tour stops in Hollywood, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New York, London, and beyond. This is the book you’ll want to read! Barbata’s drum rolls and background vocals helped to define the beat and sound on songs by some of the top rock bands in the 60s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, his stylized drum riffs are heard on more than 20-hit singles and over 100 albums.

From a career that spanned the greatest years of rock-and-roll and shaped some of the hottest styles and music of the century, take an intimate and exciting look at the beloved groups and times.

Other notable collaborations are:

 * Dave Mason * Booker T. Jones  * The Everly Bro's. * Linda Rondstadt  * Lee Michaels * John Sebastian  * Johnny Rivers * Graham Nash  * Joni Mitchell * Neil Young  * Eric Clapton * Grace Slick  * Leon Russell * Stephen Stills  *David Crosby

Review by Prof. Carl Rath; Professor of Music, OU