Remembering the late, great, Tony Williams on what would have been his 80th birthday (December 12, 1945 - February 23, 1997).
To call Tony Williams a drumming legend is a complete understatement. Tony wasn't just a drummer… His drumming was a ‘Distinct Style’, which influenced other drumming legends - (Steve Gadd for one).
We know him as a ‘Jazz’ drummer but, really, he was simply hard to define. The finesse of a ‘Jazz’ drummer coupled with the power and speed of a Metal drummer.
Tony was TONY! - His style was ‘inimitable’. Even his drums were legendary: "Tony Williams Yellow".
Tony was with us for only 51 years, but his influence will last many lifetimes. ‘Lifetime’... It was only fitting that Tony's own band bore that name.
While "Tony" (as a style) is tough to pull off, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the eminent Cindy Blackman. I admire her for tapping into and channeling Tony - She does real justice to "The Man”.
