VOL. 9, NO. 11 Cover Photo by Ebet Roberts FEATURES BERNARD "PRETTY" PURDIE He's outspoken and flamboyant, but he gets away with it because he has a groove that can't be denied. He's "Pretty'' Purdie, and his credits include Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Ray Charles, Jeff Beck, and Mongo Santamaria. Purdie talks about his early career as a New York studio drummer, his distinctive sound, and his teaching philosophies, and discusses his controversial claim that he played on a number of The Beatles records. by Connie Fisher 8 Malkin BOBBY CHOUINARD Rick As the drummer for rock vocalist/guitarist Billy Squier, Bobby by Chouinard is an integral part of the unique Squier sound. In this interview, Bobby discusses his creative input to this music, as well Photo as his views on playing live versus recording, his work with Gary Moore and Ted Nugent, and his recent experiences as a record producer. by Teri Saccone 14 ED SOPH Soph originally distinguished himself with the bands of Woody Herman and Stan Kenton, but for the last few years, Ed has made Jachles teaching his primary focus, working with students both privately and through the Jamey Aebersold clinics. Here, he explains the Michael concepts behind his playing and teaching, and discusses his by contention that only one percent of drum students are really serious. Photo by Scott K. Fish 18 INSIDE PAISTE by Robyn Flans and Simon Goodwin 22 DRIVER'S SEAT COLUMNS Chart Reading: Part 1 PROFILES by Gil Graham 80 PORTRAITS EDUCATION ROCK PERSPECTIVES Ron Krasinski by Jim Dinella 64 ELECTRONIC INSIGHTS Quintuplet Exercise by David Garibaldi 86 Questions And Answers by Reek Havok 26 IN THE STUDIO NEWS Systems For Coordination And JAZZ DRUMMERS WORKSHOP Reading Developing Independence: Part 2 IN MEMORIAM by Gary Chester 98 by Mark Hurley 28 Nick Ceroli by Rick Van Horn 32 CONCEPTS EQUIPMENT 110 Drumming And Self-Discipline UPDATE by Roy Burns 42 PRODUCT CLOSE-UP INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 112 Electronic Kits: Part 4 ROCK CHARTS by Bob Saydlowski, Jr 46 Bernard Purdie: "Rock Steady" by James Morton 70 SHOP TALK DEPARTMENTS Cappella: Quietly Sticking With It TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS by Donald Quade 94 EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 Dealing With Insurance READER'S PLATFORM 4 by Charlene Washburn 72 JUST DRUMS 114 ASK A PRO 6 CLUB SCENE REVIEWS 100 The Benefits Of Survival DRUM MARKET by Rick Van Horn 78 ON TAPE 82 IT'S QUESTIONABLE 108 PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Isabel Spagnardi EDITOR The Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly MANAGING EDITOR Drum Rick Van Horn ASSOCIATE EDITORS Susan Hannum William F. Miller EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Bug Elaine Cannizzaro ART DIRECTOR David H. Creamer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Just what is this drum bug, anyway? Well, it's a curious little devil that Kevin W. Kearns has befuddled the American Medical Association for years. Unfortunately it's rather impossible to shake the effects of the bite once you've been bit- ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR ten, and bite it does, anyone at any age, anywhere—anytime! Isabel Spagnardi Being bitten more than 30 years ago myself, I've made a rather in-depth ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER Ellen Corsi study of this strange phenomenon over the years, and have discussed the ASSISTANT problem with hundreds of fellow victims. I've finally managed to compile a ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER list of symptoms to help you determine if, in fact, you may have been bit- Tracy Kearney ten at some point yourself. Join the club if you've ever experienced: DEALER SERVICE MANAGER 1. An odd sense of euphoria upon receipt of the latest drum catalog of just Debbie Worden about any major manufacturer. 2. A curious desire to spend the better portion of your day off in a drum CIRCULATION shop, examining everything in sight, and generally making a nuisance of Leo Spagnardi yourself. Susan A. Kretschmar 3. A strange compulsion to purchase every new piece of drum equipment SALES PROMOTION MANAGER that appears on the market. Evelyn Urry 4. An inner restlessness when deprived of the opportunity to strike any drum-like object for a period of two days or more. MODERN DRUMMER ADVISORY BOARD Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Louie Bellson, Bill 5. An obsession to attend every clinic, watch every video, read every word, Bruford, Roy Burns, Jim Chapin, Les DeMerle, Len and buy every recording remotely connected with your favorite drummer. DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Peter Erskine, Danny 6. A penchant for counting the hours from noon to the gig at 9:30. Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, 7. A strong inclination to doodle "dream drumsets" on scrap paper during Mel Lewis, Larrie Londin, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, Butch Miles, Joe Morello, Andy Newmark, Neil most idle moments. Peart, Charlie Perry, Paul T. Riddle, Ed Shaughnessy, 8. A self-destructive wish to sit in with the band up the street, immediately Steve Smith, Ed Thigpen. following five grueling hours on your own gig. 9. An uncanny ability to annoy people with finger paradiddles, played on CONTRIBUTING WRITERS practically any available surface, usually at the most inopportune times. Susan Alexander, Charles M. Bernstein, Scott K. Fish, 10. A deep-rooted sense of guilt that occurs after shelling out $200 on a Robyn Flans, Simon Goodwin, Jeff Potter, Teri ride cymbal, knowing full well that you're badly in need of new shoes for Saccone, Robert Santelli, Bob Saydlowski, Jr., Chip your sister's wedding. Stern, Robin Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. The above list represents some of the most troublesome symptoms. However, several other less common, yet equally devastating, situations have also been reported. Do any of these sound familiar? Like when you MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194-4533) is totally lost sight of the movie plot because you were distracted by the great published monthly by MODERN DRUMMER Publica- tions, Inc., 870 Pompton Avenue, Cedar Grove, NJ drumming on the soundtrack; the very first time you realized that the most 07009. Second-Class Postage paid at Cedar Grove, NJ important thing you had to do that day was oil your bass drum pedal; the 07009 and at additional mailing offices. Copyright 1985 last time you ignored your date at dinner while you jotted down a great by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights new funk beat on a paper napkin; or the first time you noticed that, when reserved. Reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. forced to decide between spending your last few bucks on a copy of Play- SUBSCRIPTIONS: $22.95 per year; $41.95, two years. boy or MD, you chose MD! Single copies $2.50. If you could relate to more of the above than you'd like to admit—wel- MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes manu- come! To date, there's no known cure for the bite, and efforts to control scripts, however, cannot assume responsibility for them. Manuscripts must be accompanied by a self-addressed, the problem have proved futile. But be consoled by the fact that you're not stamped envelope. alone. Millions are victims just like you. Our immediate recommendation? CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a Curl up with a copy of MD, take two aspirin, and call a drum shop in the change. Please provide both old and new address. morning! MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer, Dealer Service, 870 Pompton Ave., Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. Tel: 800-221-1988. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Modern Drummer, P.O. Box 469, Cedar Grove, NJ 07009. LARRY MULLEIN, JR. stand the subtleties of Adam Woods' understanding and friendship between Thanks so much for the article on Larry drumming, the intelligent approach he has himself and his road crew, so that things Mullen, Jr., in your August '85 issue. So to recording . ..." As a young Fixx could run as smoothly as possible. I believe many times people get caught up in the fan—as well as a drummer—I could not that an article written about touring from spiritual aspect of U2, and lose the reality believe a magazine as highly respected as the point of view of a drum roadie would that they're people and not gods. Thanks, MD would let such an assumption be be an interesting angle. Such an article Larry, for a fresh breath in the real world. printed. Just because we don't sit down would allow the people behind the scenes Chuck Vess and analyze every beat doesn't mean we to step out into the limelight and be recog- Oceanside, CA don't appreciate the fine quality of playing nized for their hard work. It would also put forth by such bands. allow the readers to find out how tough TOMMY CAMPBELL Tony Long and demanding being a roadie actually is. I want to thank you for the fine article on Cheshire, CT Please think this possibility over, and Tommy Campbell. Tommy and I attended meanwhile, keep up the good work! Berklee College of Music at the same time, Jason Junes and 1 knew that sooner or later he would GERMAN MUSIC PROGRAMS Thanks to Roy Burns for his enthusiastic Grangeville, ID make it into your magazine. On first meet- report on the "International Drummers' ing Tommy, 1 knew he was a great guy— Meeting" in Koblenz, Germany, which THANKS FROM NEIL along with his musicianship and his love of was featured in your June issue. There is, I remember writing to you five or six years the instrument. I knew he would reach his however, one statement by Roy that I can- ago in shock and gratitude after my first goals—and more! He practiced hard and not agree with.