As a drummer for Hi Records' house band the Hi Rhythm Section in the 1970s, Grimes worked closely with artists including Al Green, Ann Peebles and Otis Clay, among others. His beats on songs including Green's "Let's Stay Together" and Peebles' "I Can't Stand the Rain" served as a crucial foundation for the burgeoning Memphis soul sound of the era.
Read moreModel Numbers in Vintage Gretsch Drums
Tags from a 1963 Gretsch Round Badge set
Gretsch began placing paper labels inside their drums in about 1962. The paper labels possessed both model numbers and serial numbers. The focus of this article is on how model numbers were presented on the paper labels.[i] Knowledge of how Gretsch expressed model number is another useful dating tool.[ii]
Read moreVideo - NSMD writer Mat Marucci: A lesson in swinging hard with the Jimmy Smith Trio
Most of the NSMD writers are accomplished drummers. Featured this month is Mat Marruci who has written a number of educational articles for us. I told Mat that I was very envious that he got to play with the Jimmy Smith Trio.
Read moreMy Beale Street Marching Band funeral parade drums
I use these drums in the parades on Beale Street for the funeral procession of famous Memphis musicians who have gone on to the great gig in the sky. The different musicians from the Beale Street clubs and others from around the city get together in an ad hoc New Orleans style marching band in front of the Hearse, playing “Just A Closer Walk With Thee” at a mournful tempo for one block and then breaking into a joyous, fast paced “When The Saints Go Marchin’ In” when we pass B.B. King Boulevard. Recently, drummer Howard Grimes passed away (see article) and we had an abundance of drummers for the drum line.
Read moreLawrence Drums - Only three sets made
Before Joe Partridge and I started the Famous Drum brand (“You must have heard of us - we’re Famous!”), I built three sets of custom painted drums for a catalog of what was to be the “Lawrence Drum Company” and had some great pics made of the shells. This was in the early mid 2000s when I was building drums at George’s Drum Shop. I abandoned the Lawrence badge name in favor of Famous, but these drums were never badged.
Read moreGreg Caputo: Remembering Tony Williams
Tony developed under the tutelage of master drummer/teacher, Alan Dawson. Miles Davis opened more avenues for development by stating, “You can’t make any mistakes in my band.” This encouraged Tony and gave him a clear musical canvas to create and develop his improvisational skills.
Read moreSandy Nelson dies at 83 - "Let There Be Drums!"
Sandy Nelson, a drummer whose flashy style and propulsive rhythms helped elevate the importance of the instrument in early rock and roll, died Feb. 14, 2022, in Boulder City, Nev. The cause of death was not reported, however Nelson had been in hospice for some time. He was 83.
Read more1923-25 LUDWIG & LUDWIG 4 x 14 8 LUG DeLUXE/SCROLL ENGRAVED DANCE MODEL (Cat. no. 5C)
Hiro said that he wanted to buy the drum from me. I said it wasn't for sale, but then he turned the table on me and said, "What if I offer you STUPID MONEY"? At this time I had gotten into a little money crunch so I asked him what kind of STUPID MONEY was he talking about. Hiro said he would pay me 10K for the drum. SOLD! That was a huge chunk of money that gave me a good head start on my financial situation.
Read moreFOREST SIGNED TO RECORD DEAL - 44 YEARS LATER!
Drummers Bob Girouard and Gary Stevens See Their Dreams Come True
Editor’s note (Bob Giroaurd has written many articles for Modern Drummer and other drum publications)
In what might be the longest delayed record deal in history, Forest, the Massachusetts-based eclectic blues/rock/jazz band that broke up back in 1979, has signed a distribution deal with BBE Records of London, England, who is re-releasing on vinyl Forest’s eponymous and only LP, recorded in 1978.
Read more1970s Slingerland Rock Outfit 50N
The kit I am featuring is a 1970s Slingerland Rock Outfit 50 N with Maple outer ply. The kit is outstanding with a 22X14 bass drum, 12X8 , 13X9, and 16X16 toms. They are just perfect for most playing situations. I love the Set-O-Matic tom mount and all the mounting hardware.
Read moreTerry Silverlight Presents New Music Video Album - 'In My Own Silver Light'
Previously, Terry has made several solo albums featuring himself in various musical styles and settings... Including ensembles, duets, songwriter collaborations with guest instrumentalists and vocalists. He's had the opportunity to perform and record with some of the world's most outstanding musicians... Including, Vic Juris - Eric Kloss, Phil Woods - Barry Miles, The Manhattan Jazz Orchestra - Billy Ocean - George Benson -Laura Nyro - Natalie Merchant - Freddie Jackson and Jeffrey Osborne...To name a few.
Read moreIs It Time To Come Clean?
If you'd like to get an interesting discussion going with a group of drummers, ask them how often they clean their cymbals. You're bound to get a plethora of opinions, and possibly a few dirty looks
Read moreFrom The Editor
A few announcements…
Read moreDelaware Drum Show - Sunday 2/27/22
Delaware Drum Show - 2/27/22
Read moreChristmas 1941 Ludwig & Ludwig!
This set is EIGHTY years old this Christmas morning!
Ludwig & Ludwig “Swing Sensation Outfit” No. 1145PV, identical in every aspect of the famous “Top Hat” set without the cane, glove and hat design.
It is in stunning like new condition being it’s been in its cases for the past seventy years, he never played it after the 1950’s.
Meter Modulation
The musical challenges of phrasing across bar lines and changing meter.
Read moreDo Not Open until Christmas
In case you get bored after opening all your gifts. These were inspired by Pancho Branas.
Read moreVintage Ludwig Badges without Serial Numbers - Prototypes, Limited Editions, Special Orders, Mistakes or Just Badges Lacking Serial Numbers?
A vintage Ludwig drum made after 1963 that does not have a serial number creates much confusion and spirited debate. Few today agree on why or how drums escaped the factory with badges lacking serial numbers. Theories are often strongly expressed but weakly supported. Although speculation and conjecture are a part of the wonderful world of vintage drums, many incorrect statements become truth through repetition. This study looks at 332 vintage Ludwig drums that have badges without serial numbers.
Read moreTim Smith: Remembering Tony Williams
Tony performed with such energy you could feel it propel the rest of the band. Miles himself said that Tony was “the center that the group's sound revolved around.”
Read moreNoble & Cooley - Still Standing - How America's Oldest Drum Factory Stayed in Business For Over 160 years
This is a great video that shows the processes Noble & Cooley Drums uses to produce their one ply drum shells, hardware and finishes. Though I now mostly sell my own Famous Drum Company brand of one ply drums, I consider N&C to be the bench mark. Contact me if you are interested in a Famous or an N&C.
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