VOL. 6 NO. 8 Cover Photo by Rick Mattingly CONTENTS FEATURES VINNIE COLAIUTA Occasionally, a lot of people will start talking about a certain musician—"Hey, have you heard...?" Most recently, Vince Col- aiuta has captured this kind of attention. First coming to promi- nence with Frank Zappa, Vinnie has gone on to make his mark on the L.A. studio scene. MD caught up with Vinnie, and probed the background of "the new guy in town." by Robyn Flans 8 BARRY ALTSCHUL Having the ability to combine such diverse influences as Dixie- land, blues and avant-garde into a cohesive style demands a strong underlying concept. Barry Altschul has such a concept, which he is able to articulate in words as well as in his playing. by Rick Mattingly 12 THE HISTORY OF ROCK DRUMMING Part V: The Final Chapter Photo by Lissa Wales by Scott Fish 16 BOB DISALLE A View From Toronto by Scott Fish 20 LIBERTY DEVITTO When Billy Joel decided that his New York-flavored music called for New York musicians, drummer Liberty DeVitto became Photo by Tom Copi part of Joel's band, where he has remained ever since. Liberty talks about drumming for Billy, and about his various other studio ac- tivities. by Cheech Iero 24 WILLIAM F. LUDWIG, JR. A Candid Discussion by Dave Levine 28 Photo by Lissa Wales STRICTLY TECHNIQUE SOUTH OF THE BORDER COLUMNS Triplets With Paradiddles and Doubles Jopa: Old World Craftsmanship EDUCATION by Brent Brace 84 by Cheech lero 82 JUST DRUMS 122 UNDERSTANDING RHYTHM ROCK CHARTS The Eighth-Note Triplet "Touch and Go" by Nick Forte 32 by James Morton 90 PROFILES UP AND COMING ROCK 'N' JAZZ CLINIC COMPLETE PERCUSSIONIST Owen Hale Soloing On An Ostinato Bass Drum Introduction to Tabla by Scott Fish 76 by Ken Meyers 38 by Brian Knave 94 CONCEPTS RUDIMENTAL SYMPOSIUM NEWS Rudimental Positioning For "Can You Play Like John Smith?" UPDATE by Roy Burns 42 Set and Snare 116 by Mark Van Dyck. 100 by Robyn Flans CLUB SCENE INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS 118 In Case: Protecting Your Drums STAYING IN TUNE by Rick Van Horn 44 by Hal Blaine 112 DEPARTMENTS JAZZ DRUMMERS EQUIPMENT EDITOR'S OVERVIEW 2 WORKSHOP READER'S PLATFORM 4 Jazz Triplets As Rhythmic PRODUCT CLOSE-UP IT'S QUESTIONABLE 6 Embellishments Tama Superstar X-TRAS 50 Drum Kit DRUM MARKET 110 by Guy A. Remonko 60 by Bob Saydlowski, Jr 36 ASK A PRO 114 STAFF: EDITOR/PUBLISHER Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR Rick Mattingly MANAGING EDITOR Scott Fish ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mark Hurley Paul Uldrich ART DIRECTOR David Creamer ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Jean Mazza No doubt about it, the MD Circulation Department receives its fair ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR share of complaint mail, as do all consumer magazines. Approximately Isabel Spagnardi 75% of our circulation detail work is handled by computer, but that's ab- ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER solutely no guarantee problems won't occur. In some cases, the computer Ann Thompson causes more problems than it solves. Other times, problems are directly DEALER SERVICE MANAGER created by people. Either way, we're forced to deal with subscriber prob- Ellen Urry lems on a day to day basis, and willingly accept the blame when we are at CIRCULATION Leo L. Spagnardi fault. Robin De Paul Janet Gola However, there's another type of circulation problem which tends to be SALES PROMOTION MANAGER more frustrating, simply because we have little or no control over it. A Evelyn Urry good example would be subscribers who voice annoyance over receiving their copy of MD after their neighborhood music dealer. Let me explain: MD ADVISORY BOARD MD's distribution is handled through our printer in the Midwest. Upon Henry Adler, Carmine Appice, Horacee completion of the printing process, address labels are affixed and the mag- Arnold, Louie Bellson, Bill Bruford, Roy azines are zip-sorted for mailing. Within two days, every subscriber copy is Burns, Jim Chapin, Billy Cobham, Les De in the mailstream and in the hands of the United States Postal Service. Merle, Len DiMuzio, Charlie Donnelly, Saul When the subscriber mailing is complete, bulk shipments are packed, la- Goodman, Danny Gottlieb, Sonny Igoe, beled, and on the way to music shops across the country. However, the Jaimoe Johanson, Jim Keltner, Don Lamond, bulk orders are delivered by United Parcel Service (UPS). And even though Mel Lewis, Peter Magadini, George Marsh, the music dealer shipments enter the distribution stream after the sub- Butch Miles, Joe Morello, Neil Peart, Charlie Perry, Charli Persip, Joe Pollard, Arthur Press, scriber copies, the dealer will usually receive his magazine first. The reason Paul Price, Paul Real, Paul T. Riddle, Ed is simple: United Parcel Service is faster than the United States Postal Ser- Shaughnessy, Max Weinberg, Lenny White. vice. The frustration is rooted in the fact that there really isn't very much we CONTRIBUTING WRITERS can do about it. And until someone devises an alternative means of getting Susan Alexander, Rich Baccaro, Robert Carr, MD to your mailbox in less time then it takes a specialized parcel carrier, Jim Dearing, Clint Dodd, Robyn Flans, Stanley one questions whether it's worthwhile to lose any sleep over it. Hall, Harold Howland, Dave Levine, Michael Rozek, Robin Tolleson, T. Bruce Wittet. In the final anaylsis, it's a matter of what you value more. There are cer- tain advantages to subscribing, not least of which is your assurance of ob- taining a copy before your dealer runs out. And if you don't live near a MODERN DRUMMER Magazine (ISSN 0194- shop which carries the magazine, then the home delivery route is the only 4533) is published monthly by Modern Drum- mer Publications, Inc., 1000 Clifton Avenue, way to go. However, if for some reason, you absolutely must have your Clifton, NJ. 07013. Second Class Postage paid copy before anyone else, then purchasing MD at your local music dealer at Clifton, N.J. 07015 and at additional mailing may be the best answer for you. offices. Copyrighted 1982 by Modern Drummer Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Repro- Though it's true, we occasionally tire of having to explain this to an irri- duction without the permission of the publisher tated customer, it is somewhat flattering to realize we have readers who ob- is prohibited. SUBSCRIPTIONS: $21.95 per viously wait with baited breath for each new issue to roll off the press. And year, $39.95, two years. Single copies $2.25. really, there isn't a circulation problem big enough that could take away MANUSCRIPTS: Modern Drummer welcomes from the pleasure we pet out of that simple truth. manuscripts, however, cannot assume responsi- bility for them. Manuscripts must be accompa- nied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Allow at least six weeks for a change. Please provide both old and new address. MUSIC DEALERS: Modern Drummer is available for resale at bulk rates. Direct correspondence to Modern Drummer Publications, Inc., 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clif- ton, N.J. 07013. (201) 778-1700. POSTMAS- TER: Send Address Changes to Modern Drum- mer, 1000 Clifton Avenue, Clifton, N.J. 07013. CHARLIE WATTS Your Charlie Watts interview was excel- lent. It proves that a good basic drummer can still survive in this all too technical world. Nothing against proficient, profes- sionally trained players. I'm just stating that ordinary, basic players deserve a little credit'also. STAN ZEMAN PITTSBURGH, PA TIME VS. FEEL Just a note to let you know that I felt Mark Van Dyck's article "Time Players vs. Feel Players" was excellent. It's defin- itely the best analysis I've read on rhythm sections. His thoughts were also conveyed in a direct and clear way; easy to under- I would like, if I may, to say a very BIG Editor's note: We were intrigued when we stand and to the point. At any rate, I just thank you, not only to four fantastic saw this letter, so we asked Peter Erskine wanted you to know that I thought the ar- drummers, but four very thoughtful how this came about. He explained that ticle was great. human beings: Steve Smith, Jeff Porcaro, they learned that Alan had come to ROY BURNS Peter Erskine and Vince Colaiuta. They Atlanta in the hopes of hearing some of the AQUARIAN ACCESSORIES CORP. are pictured here with me while I was recu- drummers who were participating in the perating from an appendicitis operation in NAMM show. Unfortunately, Alan was struck with appendicitis upon his arrival in Atlanta. I am very lucky to have friends M.D. PERFORMS like you. Once again, my sincerest thanks, Atlanta, and was unable to attend any of and I hope to see all of you soon. the concerts. Jeff, Steve, Vinnie and Peter I particularly like your balanced cover- decided that if Alan couldn't come to see age of different kinds of drummers, and ALAN CORNETT them, they would go to see him. Four very the care and detail with which you allow SILVER SPRINGS, MD thoughtful human beings indeed! them to express their feelings on their life and art. You are performing a service to drummers for which I feel a true measure ROY BURNS ROCK CHARTS of gratitude. There is one drummer, how- ever, I feel has exerted an enormous, al- I was pleased to read "Put-downs, Put- In your July issue you have a transcrip- though largely unrecognized, influence on offs and Put-ons" by Roy Burns in your tion of The Police's song "Don't Stand So modern drumming: Milford Graves. I April issue. As a drummer/producer I face Close To Me" by James Morton.