Wednesday September 19

Rock Drummers

Categories: Entertainment

Ok--I am breaking a longstanding blog silence. It took another best-of list, this one from a webzine, to make it happen. This particular list really gets me going: The 50 Greatest Rock Drummers from Stylus Magazine (for some strong opinions and lively expletives, see the comments at the end of the article). I am going to exercise great restraint and not complain about how one defines "greatest," or why only 50 drummers, or the overt subjectivity of such an exploit. It is obviously in the nature of some people (librarians among them) to make lists. I will also refrain from the arrogance as to suggest that I am an expert on anything (public librarians are generalists, remember) but, being a drummer for 30 years and listening intently to other drummers for even longer allows me at least a few additions. For other remarks on librarians, music fans, and lists, please see this blog.

Before I opine, however, I will include a remark from local jazz drumming legend (and music instructor/collector extraordinaire) Steve Strider, who pointed out that the following "heavy hitters" are conspicuously absent from Stylus' list: Butch Trucks, Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, Jim Mason, and Mick Fleetwood. Glaring omissions indeed--what were they thinking? My list of additional drummers is decidedly more idiosyncratic and post-punk than Mr. Strider's, and includes the following: Robert Gotobed (Wire), Budgie (Siouxsie & The Banshees/Creatures), Kevin Haskins (Bauhaus/Tones On Tail/Love & Rockets), and Martyn Atkins (Public Image Ltd., Pigface, Killing Joke). When it comes to rock drumming, beauty must be in the beat of the beholder...

Please continue reading for a selection of rock drumming resources and instructional materials found in the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County:

Beginning Rock Drums: Featuring Mike Terrana [VHS]

Great Rock Drummers of the Sixties by Bob Cianci

The Drummer's Almanac by Jon Cohan

Moon: The Life and Death of a Rock Legend by Tony Fletcher

Getting Started on Drums [DVD] (also available in VHS)

Drumming at the Edge of Magic: A Journey into the Spirit of Percussion by Mickey Hart

Jeff Bowders. Double Bass Drumming Workshop [DVD]

Life in Double Time: Confessions of an American Drummer by Mike Lankford

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Playing Drums by Michael Miller

Modern Drummer (Periodical)

Musical Expression on the Drum Set [VHS]

Neil Peart: A Work in Progress: Featuring the Music from "Test for Echo" [VHS]