Vol.3-No.3 FEATURES: HERB LOVELLE RALPH BERNARD GRADY TATE The former Wiz drum- MACDONALD PURDIE Drummer for the sound- mer of Broadway lends A sensitive and ver- "Pretty Purdie," teach- track of the movie the fascinating insight to the satile percussionist, Ralph er and studio player Wiz, Tate cites time NY show and studio MacDonald reveals the reflects on the pitfalls and sensitivity as the scene. Lovelle also talks secret of his special musi- of his early drumming key to successful drum- about the influence of his cal style and "different" experience, plus his sub- ming. Tate also discusses friend and mentor, Max approach to the conga sequent reputation in the the desire to expand his Roach. 13 drum. 15 studios as the "hit musical horizons as a maker." 20 singer. 22 DRUMS AND THERAPY 24 FIRST ANNUAL READERS' POLL RESULTS 26 FOREIGN DRUM COMPANY REPORT, PART I 30 COLUMNS: EDITOR'S OVERVIEW: 4 JAZZ DRUMMERS' WORKSHOP: READERS' PLATFORM: 8 Solving Technical Problems by Ed Soph 44 IT'S QUESTIONABLE: 10 DRUM SOLOIST: ROCK PERSPECTIVES: More Metric Modulation Theme and Variations by Rupert Kettle 46 by David Garibaldi 34 DRIVER'S SEAT: SHOW AND STUDIO: Energy and the Ensemble The Show Band Drummer by Butch Miles 48 by Danny Pucillo 36 UP AND COMING: SOUTH OF THE BORDER: Scott Robinson The Cha-Cha Jammin' With The Giants 50 by Norbert Goldberg 38 DRUM MARKET: DRUMMER/PERCUSSIONIST: Classifieds 54 Understanding Form by David Levine 40 WHERE IT'S AT: 56 RUDIMENTAL SYMPOSIUM: IN MEMORIAM: 57 Questions and Answers JUST DRUMS: 62 by Mitch Markovich 42 STAFF: EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Ronald Spagnardi FEATURES EDITOR: Karen Larcombe ASSOCIATE EDITORS: Cheech Iero Paul Uldrich MANAGING EDITOR: Michael Cramer ART DIRECTOR: Bryan Mitchell PRODUCTION MANAGER: Roger Elliston ADVERTISING DIRECTOR: Jean Mazza For those who may not have noticed, Modern Drummer has a new address. We're now very comfortably situated in a new, modern office ADMINISTRATION: Isabel Lori building with plenty of breathing room and ample space for growth. Our new facility has sufficient room for every aspect of the MD DEALER SERVICE operation; even a hospitality room (with bar) for entertaining MD's MANAGER: Carolyn Padner many professional drummer friends who often visit with us on their way through the New York area. With this new facility and a continuation CIRCULATION: Leo L. Spagnardi of our present growth rate, we hope to come through on our promise Marilyn Miller of a monthly MD a lot sooner than even we expected. Nancy Schuller Last July, MD focused its attention on the L.A. scene by presenting a close-up of several of the finest studio drummers in the city. An outcry from the eastern readership was soon to be heard. Cries of, "What about New York City? Only the best make it and stay on top in the Big Apple," began to emerge. We took the hint. It was time to begin work on our New York issue. In a fashion similar to the L.A. report, we centered the MD magnifying glass over four of the most competent, in-demand show and studio drummers in town: Bernard Purdie, Grady Tate, Herb Lovelle and Ralph MacDonald. Four incredibly versatile players who've logged enough studio hours to boggle the mind. Each name a household word on the New York recording scene, and four subsequent interviews which make for exceptionally entertaining reading. In keeping with our New York focus, MD's own Karen Larcombe spent a day at the Manhattan Children's Center to watch and speak with Gerry Schell, a most innovative music therapist. A drummer himself, Gerry's methods utilize his drumming talents while aiding emotionally disturbed kids at the same time. T'was a day when many American drummers took a rather dim view of foreign made equipment. The situation is somewhat different now as the first of our two-part report on foreign drum companies clearly demonstrates. Some of the design concepts and features are at times astounding, and in our opinion, at least warrant a closer look. A word about the Readers' Poll. This was the magazine's first poll and judging from your response, an item we should maintain as a permanent annual event. The final tally brought a mixture of anticipated results and some surprises. More importantly, it verified our belief that MD readers are astute, opinionated and highly selective when it comes to honoring their fellow drummers. MD will be presenting personally inscribed awards during the next several months to the artists you've selected. Our thanks to the hunduds of you who voted for your favorites, and congratulations to each of the outstanding winners. MD's very first Hall of Fame award went to the late and inimitable Gene Krupa. I think it's significant to mention that the voting in the Hall of Fame category was so overwhelmingly in favor of Gene that we've decided to prepare a special issue in dedication to him a bit later this year. The research and preparation for that issue is already underway and promises to be a very special tribute to a very special man. I liked the Jan.-Feb. issue of Modern I would like to make some comments on At last! You have finally begun to Drummer very much, although I think the your article, The World of Drum Corps, strengthen the only weak point of your article on Dave Tough could have been which appeared in the Jan-Feb '79 issue. magazine — good in-concert action shots more detailed. By far, the most important I agree, the Concord Blue Devils are of drummers. Brian Killigrew's pictures of contribution MD has made is the feature certainly a most progressive and innova- Bill Bruford were much enjoyed. interviews where a player will open up and tive corps and deserve credit for having ERIC BROWN say what he thinks about fitting into a par- performed some fantastic arrangements. BRONX, NY ticular musical picture. They also must be credited with having one JOE GARRY of the greatest percussion sections in the ENGLEWOOD, NJ nation. However, they were not the first corps to implement jazz charts. The New I would like to take this opportunity to York Skyliners, among others, were per- thank Modern Drummer personally for I'd like to comment on the letter in the forming jazz-oriented material in the early the excellent article on Frank's Drum Jan.-Feb. Readers' Platform about Carl fifties. The article also leads one to believe Shop in the Jan-Feb issue; no easy task Palmer. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not that the Blue Devils were the first corps to when one considers the fact that we have doubting the man's ability as a drummer, use Latin American percussion in- probably the most diversified total percus- but no way will Lou Eger of Yonkers, NY struments. This too, is a misstatement of sion emporium in the U.S. I'd also like to convince me that Carl Palmer is better fact. Long time drum and bugle corps congratulate you for having accomplished than Buddy Rich. Granted, they are two devotees will surely recall the Latin percus- a journalistic miracle by what you have different style drummers. Nevertheless, sion arrangements of Les Parks for the done with Modern Drummer in such a nobody is faster than Buddy. I'm a rock Hawthorne Cabelleros in the mid to late comparatively short period of time. Keep drummer and I've heard Carl Palmer play fifties. Parks virtually pioneered the use of up the good work, and please keep telling . fantastic. But, Buddy Rich is still Latin instruments in corps performance, it like it is. number 1. along with Jerry Shelmar who was in- MAURIE LISHON (owner) RON MARKS strumental in introducing both marching FRANK'S DRUM SHOP FARRELL, PA timpani and keyboard sections with the CHICAGO, IL Boston Crusaders. This is not meant to de- mean the marvelous contributions of the Concord Blue Devils. But, let's give credit where credit is due. I was interested in a comment made by a BOB CONNORS reader in the Jan.-Feb. issue Readers' Plat- JACKSON, NJ form. This person was raving about how fast Carl Palmer plays and said that Palmer was the fastest in the world. Per- sonally, I feel that the speed a drummer plays is not nearly as important as good I would like to register a complaint to time. I myself was once into lightning Modern Drummer, on behalf of the forgot- chops until someone told me my time ten country drummer. We country needed work. I began listening to the drummers are ignored all too often. Even masters of time like Mel Lewis, Dave within country music the old joke applies: Garibaldi, Roy Haynes and Tony One band leader asked another, "How Williams. From listening and practicing many members do you have in your time, I have improved 75%. band?" The other replied, "Five musicians JARRATT POWELL and a drummer." CHATTANOOGA, TN My point in telling you all this is that there are a lot of serious, hard-working country drummers who would like to read about one of us now and then. That way we Bloody good magazine, mate. It's infor- can compare style, beats and philosophy. mative and has very interesting feature in- On behalf of country drummers, let's hear terviews with America's top drummers, from you. which we don't get to see too often in ARCHIE FRANCIS Australia. In the July '78 issue of Modern LA CRESCENTA, CA Drummer there was a letter from Aliyah Baruchin.