By Patrick (205.188.195.33 - 205.188.195.33) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 03:14 am:

I have so many and there are so many, but only a handful stick out from the crowd. Buddy Rich, Krupa and Billy Cobham aree among my favorites in jazz. For Rock, its Keith Moon. To me he is Rock drumming. Who are yours???

By Caleb (63.61.181.12 - 63.61.181.12) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 03:30 am:

Steve Smith is a good one,formerly of Journey.

By Gary Rosen (12.234.95.0 - 12.234.95.0) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 04:07 am:

Here at SoulfulDetroit.com I think you have to start with the great Motown drummers: Benny Benjamin, Richard "Pistol" Allen who sadly has just passed away, and Uriel Jones. Among other R&B drummers the first who come to mind are the late Al Jackson of Booker T. & the MGs, Bernard Purdie, and Earl Palmer of the Fats Domino and Little Richard bands in New Orleans. I just saw Palmer perform at the "New Orleans by the Bay" show here in the SF area and he is still going strong (along with Herb Hardesty on sax).

Jazz of course has many great drummers too numerous to mention them all. A lot of drummers I know (I play bass) idolize Buddy Rich. And I remember seeing Philly Joe Jones play years ago - he could play his small drumset more melodically than most "regular" musicians can play their instruments! Jones was the drummer on Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" album. And of course you can't forget Art Blakey.

Finally, I would like to mention a drummer who I have had the privilege of playing with many times - Francis Clay, who played for many years with Muddy Waters and then James Cotton. Francis is not your stereotyped backbeat blues drummer, he had a strong jazz influence that came from his playing as a young man with big bands and people such as Charlie Parker before he started with Muddy. It was one of the biggest thrills of my admittedly small musical career to get to play with him.

- Gary Rosen

By Steve Litos (209.100.86.4 - 209.100.86.4) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 06:09 pm:

Anyone know who played the drums Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions "It's All Right"? I've always heard that it was Maurice White of Earth, Wind , & Fire. Anyways whoever played those fill was a pretty fine drummer.

-Steve Litos

By Bradburger (172.180.32.220 - 172.180.32.220) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 07:15 pm:

Hi all

For me my favs are of course the Motown quartet of Benny Benjamin, Richard 'Pistol' Allen, Uriel Jones & Andrew Smith.

I always liked Al Jackson and I think Roger Hawkins is up their with the finest to. What a beat!

Just a shame that out of all those I mention only Roger Hawkins & Uriel Jones are still with us.

May the beat contiune.

Cheers

Paul

By HW (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 07:55 pm:

Do we take James Brown's drummers for granted, or are we just talking Detroit?

Well, here's the JB hall of fame:

- JOHN "JAB'O" STARKS (also played w/Bobby "Blue" Bland), drummer on JB's Sex Machine, Say It Loud, Licking Stick, The Payback et al
- CLYDE STUBBLEFIELD: Mother Popcorn, Funky Drummer, Cold Sweat et al
- MELVIN PARKER: I Got You (I Feel Good), Papa's Got A Brand New Bag, live @ Tami Show

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 08:08 pm:

Got to put Ed Greene in there too for his LA Motown hits and the amazing grooves on the Barry White records.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 08:27 pm:

Lets not omit George McGregor. One of the best all around drummers around.

By Marilyn (67.217.184.19 - 67.217.184.19) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 08:55 pm:

Well,your Motown drummers are all cool,but there was something really magic about being right next to people like Krupa,Buddy Rich,etc. while they played on Ed McKenzie's show. I also got to go several times to the original Birdland. Like I said,.....MAGIC

By AnthonyAntMcKnight (24.88.60.205 - 24.88.60.205) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 09:37 pm:

I was very sadden to hear of the passing of Richard "Pistol" Allen. He was one of the most caring and funniest member of the Funk Brothers. Rest-In-Peace,Pistol and may your Legacy Lives On!!!

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 10:09 pm:

For me it has to be:
Benny Benjamin,
Richard 'Pistol' Allen,
Uriel Jones
Andrew Smith.
Al Jackson
Earl young
Non funk:
Hal Blaine
Keith moon
Mitch Mitchell

By cl (204.38.7.40 - 204.38.7.40) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 10:14 pm:

Being a drummer I find this quite interesting. Of course the popular choice is Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa. But I think the personality of the musicians (drummers in this case)is what really sets them apart.

So while Buddy had amazing hands there are others I think were much more musical in their approach to drumming.

Of course all the Detroit motown guys; is there any doubt about that?? Was there a more identifiable sound? All the guys that played with James Brown had a wonderfull musical approach.

One of my personal favorites was Alvin Stoller. He played on most of the Sinatra capitol recordings as well as other capitol recordings of that era(1950's)Nat Cole etc. And he played on a lot of the cool verve stuff from that time too.

Could Buddy Rich have played as musical and made the Nelson Riddle/ Billy May orchestra sound as good; doubtful.

Other great drummers Shelley Manne, Stan Levy, Mel Lewis and Detroit's J.C Heard. I mention these guys because I think from reading various drum and music mags that often times names like these are all too soon forgotten an that aint right!!

By Ed Wolfrum (165.247.229.13 - 165.247.229.13) on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 11:18 pm:

Hi Ralph,

I just spoke to George this morning, I had called and left a message about Pisol.

For you Northern Soul Guys, George is the drummer on Romeo & Juliet, Double 0 Soul, the San Remo sessions (most of them), Cool Jerk and scores more. His style was more "POP" than was Pistol's although I once heard "Pistol" with the Austin-Moro big band and he knocked my socks off.

I one did a session at United with Pistol, Urial and Andrew...I think that was a Mike Terry Session! I Wonder who has those masters now?

Pistol also played many times for Jack Brokenshaw on both sessions and live at many of the clubs.

The people of Detroit have been nicely spoiled by the great drummers of this town. Think about it...Pistol, Urial, Andrew, Benny, George, Chet Forrest and more recently Mark Logsdon and Tom Starr... what a lineup. And every one was great.

Great Drummers....Detroit was the place!!!

By HW (68.37.217.106 - 68.37.217.106) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 12:15 am:

in New York - Panama Francis

By Poly Esther (205.188.197.181 - 205.188.197.181) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 12:33 am:

I would have to include drummer Earl Young among the many talented drummers that have been named on this post. Earl is still working and delighting music lovers.

By Ed Wolfrum (165.247.229.13 - 165.247.229.13) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:35 am:

Harry I have heard NUMEROUS praises for Panama Francis, Andrew talked fondly of him. You will have to fill me in about him.

By Vickie (64.12.106.23 - 64.12.106.23) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:48 am:

I know they are not Motown but here goes...
I have always loved drummers, and love all the drummers mentioned in this thread. I must mention the ladies though..Karen Carpenter & Sheila E.
I wish there were more women in this field...

Vickie

By Son of Thunder (63.61.181.107 - 63.61.181.107) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 05:10 am:

Jeff Porcaro would have to be mentioned here.The man knew how to play for records.

By DJDetroit (212.21.166.254 - 212.21.166.254) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 07:34 am:

I would add Stewart Copeland, formely member of
"The Police" , his polyrythm and unique drumming really stands out!

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:41 pm:

Art Blakey and Max Roach would probably top such a list made by any of the drummers we listed.

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:48 pm:

Sonny Paine comes to mind. I saw him a couple of times. Mindblowing!

By Conrad72 (63.97.240.1 - 63.97.240.1) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 02:49 pm:

Al Jackson--Stewart Copeland--Jim Gordon--Mitch Mitchell--Hal Blaine--Billy Martin (Medeski Martin & Wood)--Pretty Purdie--Buddy Miles--All JBs drummers--All Motown drummers--John Densmore--many more...

By Son of Thunder (63.61.181.155 - 63.61.181.155) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 03:01 pm:

Vinnie Caliutta is a good one.

By Vickie (64.12.105.51 - 64.12.105.51) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 03:17 pm:

Phil Collins too!

Vickie

By mhc (172.165.235.190 - 172.165.235.190) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 05:05 pm:

I dig all the drummers who've been mentioned above, and I want to put in an extra mention for Earl Palmer. He practically invented Rock & Roll on all those Lloyd Price, Fats Domino, Little Richard (et.al.) records, and nobody's ever played it better. And the stuff that he did on the David Axelrod records from the late '60s sounds totally contemporary today. AND that's him on the "Theme from 'The Flintstones'", for God's sake (and Rockin' too..) So maybe they should put his picture on the 50 dollar bill or something. Another great Jazz guy is Idris Muhammed..

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 05:22 pm:

I love the Drummers of Motown tremendously, but let's not forget Karl Chambers from Philly. I wonder who inspired him to play the drums?

By HW (12.110.192.128 - 12.110.192.128) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 05:40 pm:

Panama Francis was a NY session drummer who was renowned as a jazz drummer for Roy Eldridge and Cab Calloway in the 40s. After that, he worked anonymously on many many pop and R&B albums. I became acquainted with him when working on the James Brown catalog, since I had discovered he was the drummer on several James Brown sessions in NY, like Prisoner Of Love. A gentle guy, an amazing drummer. He died last year. He was 82.

By John Lester (213.1.128.152 - 213.1.128.152) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 07:11 pm:

Lady drummers...what about Honey Langtree of the Honeycombs!!

Clem Cattini of Joe Meek fame "Telstar" etc is considered to be one of the best drummers from the UK...incidentally, he had a nasty scare fairly recently...I think he's getting over it though, thank goodness

By cl (204.38.4.42 - 204.38.4.42) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 08:36 pm:

I must admit I get frustrated when the likes of Viinie C. are mentioned a "great"drummers Ya ya ya he is fancy and fast and all that but again I ask..............where is the personality?????????


Someone mentioned Panama Francis.A wonderful drummer. But let me expound on a Detroiter that was underated thru out his career by the public.

J.C.Heard was a better drummer than Panama Francis and many others of that era. Tha may sound trite and petty but he could do more had a more identifiable style and was one of the few swing drummers that made the transition to a more modern stlye ala be-bop. He wasn't a be-bop druumer but he could play the style. Up to his death J.C had a very sophisticated stlye of drumming.

Krupa, Francis et,al were swing drummers great ones but they were unable to make the transition.

By Son of Thunder (63.61.181.124 - 63.61.181.124) on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 08:52 pm:

Another good drummer out of Detroit was Zachary Slater who played on"Somebody's Been Sleeping In My Bed"-100 Proof and also Queitin Denard who played on "25 Miles"-Edwin Starr also from Detroit.

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.172 - 64.233.239.172) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 01:30 am:

CanI have an Amen for the Watts 103,d street rythim band drummer.
I also saw Buddy Rich at BirdLand start with some independent sticking with his right hand on his ride cym. and then I heard this way off the wall things coming from the p.a.system in the house.I went up on his break and asked him (what the hell were you doing). He said he had a mike in his hallow drum throne he sat on , and while he would do sticking with his right hand for the people to see,he would justhide his left hand below his thigh and just kick it out.Man, after seeing him,you want to find anothr profession.

By Carl Dixon London (62.31.32.130 - 62.31.32.130) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 07:49 am:

John - The Tornados/Telstar was way ahead of its time, bearing in mind what was going on in those days. That series of satellites are still used over the States today and are known as 'Dom Sats' in the television business. Do you remember a song from a group called St/ Ettiene, around 8 years ago. They dressed up in 60's togs and had Ludwig drums in the video. The name of the song escapes me, but there is about 20" in the track which I am sure is similar to Telstar. Good tune. Try singing that and the theme from The High Chaperal and you will be instantly confused - try it on your friends!

By DanS (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 02:52 pm:

What about Jerry Mckenzie who played with Stan Kenton.
he would come by and sit in with some of the groups playing the Detroit bar scene in the 60`s and bring the house down.Marcus Terry was no slouch either

By Bradburger (172.182.104.244 - 172.182.104.244) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 03:59 pm:

I always thought it was Andrew Smith who played on 25 miles??

Cheers

Paul

By Patrick (205.188.195.31 - 205.188.195.31) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 07:18 pm:

CL, I have to disagree with you. Listen to Max Roach VS. Buddy Rich. Buddy just overplays him in EVRY aspect, including the music and harmony. Rich was just a force and he could fit in just about everywhere. He had the least limit of any drummer ever!!! Louis Bellson just be the most "beautiful" player ever. His sound just had so much color and elegance. More than any other Jazz player. Lets not forget Toney Williams. RIP!!!!!!!

By Patrick (205.188.195.31 - 205.188.195.31) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 07:22 pm:

Be-bop is nothing but noise. The be-bop player is "all arms and no technique." That was according to Traps the Drum Wonder AKA Buddy Rich. Could any of these great Motown players perform the "Moeller Method," which is a single hand stroke roll?

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 08:34 pm:

Dennis

Was it Melvin Davis who was playing drums on that live recording from the Frolic?

I'm no expert but his playing sounded quite sensational.

Where would you put him on this list?

By soulboy (213.105.242.198 - 213.105.242.198) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 10:11 pm:

Drummer on '25 miles'??? I always thought it sounded like Uriel Jones.

By cl (204.38.7.40 - 204.38.7.40) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 11:09 pm:

Patrick you make my point!!!! What the hell difference does it make if the motown drummers could do the "Moeller" one handed roll??? Would that have been anymore musical than what they did....emphatically no!!

Buddy Rich was a wonderful drummer. But there are others that were simply more musical and more creative,Shelley Manne, Mel Lewis,Bobby Durham.If Mr. Rich were still here he might even agree. This is not an idictement of his drumming .

As for current drummers I would say Jeff Hamilton has the best hands of any I have seen in a long long time and he can do some pretty amazing stuff with one hand. However Jeff always thinks musically and never ever does anything to "impress" drummers.

Finally when you hear some cool music or drummers do you ask yourself if they are using the "moeller" method or some other "method"....I doubt it; neither do I. Methods are just vehicles for conveying an idea don't be too mesmerized by them.

By Russ Terrana (198.178.8.81 - 198.178.8.81) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 11:16 pm:

There are so many great drummers.
besides Pistol, theres Jeff Parcoro, John Robertson, Ed Green and of course Andrew Smith. and lets not forget Pete from Rare Earth!

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Wednesday, July 03, 2002 - 11:32 pm:

Hey my bro,
I was going to mention Pete.Probably one of the hardest driving drummers in the business.

By patrick (152.163.204.52 - 152.163.204.52) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 03:40 am:

good point. I prefer Keith Moon. Now as a drummer, one might say...why??? Becasue he rocked!!!

By Caleb (63.61.181.239 - 63.61.181.239) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 03:51 am:

Yes,John Robinson is a very good one.There was another guy on the west coast named Ric Schlosser who played on alot of records.

By Lynn Bruce (64.233.239.172 - 64.233.239.172) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 11:33 am:

There was one drummer that played around Detroit that I forgot about.He was a step above us average drummers.He worked in Teagarden&Vanwinkel,I should know which one he was butSkip Vanwinkle comes to mind(if not he was Teagarden).His fills were some of the funkiest I ever heard outside of NewOrleans,yet he was tasty without sounding like he was trying to do a solo thru the whole song.There were times that I thought he would never come back in on meter,but there he was,right back in the pocket.So lets put him up near the top.

By DaveC (209.86.55.118 - 209.86.55.118) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 12:55 pm:

One of the great rock 'n' roll drummers, has to be, Johnny Bee (Badanjek) who powered all those classic singles as a member of Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels. That's also him playing on "Free Ride" by the Edgar Winter Group. Later he founded The Rockets.

By Mike Theodore (68.38.221.96 - 68.38.221.96) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 02:41 pm:

Hey David
It was Melivn Davis who played drums on the live album we did with Dennis. The session was acutally at Maurie Bakers Show Place on Livernois in Detroit.
Melvin was also a great singer.

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 05:59 pm:

Hi Mike
Thanks for the detail. Hope Mr Coffey reads this!

Here's Bakers, which still operates today.

By acooolcat (211.72.121.66 - 211.72.121.66) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 07:23 am:

I think Melvin Davis and David Ruffin would alternate on drums and vocals when they gigged together during the early 60s. There's a clip of mine on Ritchie's Web site of them at a Detroit club, along with guitarist Joey Kingfish.
Graham

By DaveC (67.104.175.114 - 67.104.175.114) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 02:37 pm:

I'm a bit confused here, the photo shows the great jazz club, "Baker's Keyboard Lounge" which was originally owned by Clarence Baker. He sold to Soley Hartstein who ran it from the mid-60s to the mid-70s when Clarence bought it back. Please clarify regarding "Maurice Bakers Showplace."
Thanks,
Dave

By Bob Olhsson (68.32.101.228 - 68.32.101.228) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 02:49 pm:

Am I having a "senior moment" or weren't their other buildings around Baker's in the '60s? I'll never forget going there to hear Cannonball Adderly with Mike McLean.

I still can't believe how much of the Detroit I grew up with is gone.

By DaveC (67.104.175.114 - 67.104.175.114) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 06:05 pm:

Bob,

I think this photo pretty much shows Baker's as it was. I recall the parking lot and booth to the right and I think a gas station to the left.

You mentioned seeing Cannonball Adderly at the club. Not sure when you were there but I saw him late '66 or '67 when "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" was just coming out. I had the pleasure of taping an interview with him back in that tiny little dressing room, for a jazz show I did on a very small public FM station in the suburbs. He did a special intro of the song for me. Baker's was just the greatest room. Before the mirrors, there were wonderful murals on the walls surrounding a room full of the smallest tables ever, there was barely room for a drink and a corn beef sandwich.

DaveC

By David Flynn (213.1.135.71 - 213.1.135.71) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 06:10 pm:

I'd like to nominate Dick Hilliard who played the sticks on the awesome Carolina monster Northern Soul tune by The Soul Set, "Will you ever learn"! I'd also like to then put in a special mention for Animal from the Muppets house band...can't believe no one has mentioned him yet?!?!?! ;-)

Flynny

By david, glasgow, scotland (62.252.128.5 - 62.252.128.5) on Friday, July 05, 2002 - 07:14 pm:

Hi Folks

Sorry about the Baker's Keyboard lounge pic.

This is not the venue that Mike Theodore was describing.

I was caught out by the fact that it was on the same street, Livernois.

Thanks for correcting me Mike and Dave.

By Gabriele (212.171.165.48 - 212.171.165.48) on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 01:00 pm:

I read a lot love Buddy Rich ...I think Max Roach on the Charlie Parker's songs,for example, is just better.Max Roach is formidable and one of my favorite as well as I like a lot Kenny Clarke,Philly Joe Jones,Jo Jones(Count Basie's Orchestra) and of course all the Motown's drummers ...

Gabriele

By Gabriele (212.171.165.48 - 212.171.165.48) on Sunday, July 07, 2002 - 01:06 pm:

Gary Rosen,
it's wonderful you remember Francey Clay...
I like his playing too!I think Muddy Waters always had big grooves!

Gabriele

By Caleb (63.61.181.197 - 63.61.181.197) on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 04:44 am:

Simon Phillips who replaced Jeff Porcaro in Toto is a monster drummer.

By Derrald (66.127.76.254 - 66.127.76.254) on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 05:35 am:

Patrick (and among others)
In the Jazz world, who could not forget the mastermind of the rimshots and the hats a purely percussive lick... Kenny Clarke. Yes, klooo-a-mop himself.
Take note on some of today's (as in my personal) best: Billy Martin of the Avart-Garde/Experimental Jazz group, Medeski, Martin & Wood, and the "pure minimalist", Leon Parker. Must not forget Teri Lynn Carrington to break the gender mold.

Derrald!

By Mr.Bassman (65.59.35.20 - 65.59.35.20) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 02:44 pm:

COUNT,since you wont post what you had told us while you were here in VEGAS,I will,and agree with you.COZY COLE was a top cat of a drummer and the picture you showed us of you and COZY and KRUPA in that little studio of the Gene Krupa and Cozy Cole school of drumming.I really never knew ther was such a school of that untill you showed us that photo,so very cool and rare.You should really get back on the forum Steve,you have so much to offer and so much memories.Probably forgotten more then most remember or know.So i do agree ,COZY it is.Please tell me what that was all about with you and Richard Street,i think it's gonna make headlines.If you dont get back on this forum soon,i'am going to tell the people just how crazy you really are,I still cant believe you did that,I've been laughing my ass off ever since.You've deffinitly have your s--- together,so please get back here.It was so good to see you .I will be calling you Sunday.Then i know you will read this and I will make sure BARB will drag you to this.Stay cool Count.

By john_coe (12.2.233.107 - 12.2.233.107) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 07:47 pm:

I don't know much about drumming but, besides Hendrix, Michael Schrieve playing Soul Sacrifice was my favorite part of Woodstock. Plus John Badanjek, who was already mentioned, playing Devil With A Blue Dress is about my favorite rock drum track.

By Sue (208.232.121.87 - 208.232.121.87) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 07:53 pm:

John,
Funny you should mention Michael Schrieve! I saw the Woodstock film again and was blown away by this guy, especially the fact that he was 19 years old at the time.

By Livonia Ken (136.2.1.153 - 136.2.1.153) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 08:25 pm:

I was just watching a documentary on the making of Steely Dan's "Aja" and I realized that they had Steve Gadd, Jim Keltner, Rick Marotta, & Bernard Purdie on drums on that album along with a few others. Not a bad collection of session cats for one disc, eh?

Regards,
Ken

By Russ Terrana (198.178.8.81 - 198.178.8.81) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 09:13 pm:

Lets not forget Phil Collins and Mick Fleetwood

By GARY (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 10:45 pm:

I vote for William "Benny" Benjamin as the greatest pop/soul drummer of all time. Listen to his 1/8 note triplets on the lead-ins of "Say You" (Temptations Get Ready album), "This Old Heart of Mine" (Isley Bros.) and of course "Ain't Too Proud to Beg", then you will see what I mean. His ability to keep a rock-steady back beat in lock-step with James Jamerson's incomparable bass lines stands alone. I agree with some of the above posters regarding Al Jackson, Jabo Starks, Bernard Purdie, Roger Hawkins, Hal Blaine, Uriel Jones, Pistol Allen, Andrew Smith, etal., but Benny IS (and always will be) the MAN when it comes to pop/soul drummers.

By Motormouth (68.40.198.72 - 68.40.198.72) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 11:05 pm:

How about Mickey Dolenz?? lol

By Ralph (209.240.222.130 - 209.240.222.130) on Friday, July 26, 2002 - 11:33 pm:

Motormouth,
I don't think Mickey is a Pistol or an Andrew Smith, but ya gotta give the kid some propers. He's a pretty good drummer.

By ErikT.O. (64.228.108.120 - 64.228.108.120) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 02:56 am:

Waaay back up this thread, the Watts 103rd St Rythm Band drummer was mentioned- wasn't this Charles Wright himself?! Also... some drummers I was real surprised not to have seen mentioned- Idris Muhammad (sp?), Dennis Chambers, Paul Humpherys ("Detroit", "Funky LA" etc), Mike Clark (Headhunters, last seen with 'Jazz Prescription') and Tain Watts who'll be in Detroit soon & is a drummer to behold... speaking of Det drumming, anyone here ever see Gabe Gonzalez' E-Squad? Finally, I gotta yap just a little more-props to all those devastating Latin drummers & the bands they've lead & still lead- Bobby Matos, Ray Barretto, Pucho, etc... I better stop here...

By Gary Rosen (12.234.95.0 - 12.234.95.0) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 04:15 am:

If we start in on Latin drumming we could easily double or triple the length of this thread! I've started listening to a lot of Latin music the past few years and of course it has great drumming/percussion. Benny B. was a big fan of Latin music & it shows in his playing.

By LTLFTC (12.245.225.79 - 12.245.225.79) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 02:16 pm:

Erik
The only drummer I ever saw credited on the Watts 103rd street stuff was L.A. session great James Gadson, an amazing drummer. Also, it's good to see Paul Humphreys mentioned- I remember him tearing up an Al Kooper song called "Hard rock Kid"
Steve K.

By RJ Spangler (64.12.97.11 - 64.12.97.11) on Saturday, July 27, 2002 - 07:31 pm:

I like Paul Humphreys too. I will always love JC Heard. Roy Brooks was a mentor to me. Pontiac's Elvin Jones was and is one of the greatest drummers of all time. Buddy Rich???? Go see Elvin! -RJ

By Philly Groove (205.188.209.48 - 205.188.209.48) on Sunday, August 04, 2002 - 06:39 pm:

I love all theFunk Brothers drummers ... but let's all the great Earl Young who kept the beat on all the classic "Sound of Philadelphia" classics from the O'Jays to the Spinners to the Stylistics and of course, MFSB.

By KB (64.3.192.127 - 64.3.192.127) on Monday, August 19, 2002 - 04:49 pm:

HW, I'm with you. The five best "drummers" (percussion) were on the cover of Stick-It Magazine 1998 December. This included Pistol, Jack, Uriel, Jabó and Clyde. Most difficult to BEAT that line up!! KB