At four years old, all I wanted was to be a drummer. I banged on every pot and pan in the house until my parents, finally fed up, got me my first drum set for Christmas, that was 1970.My biggest inspiration was my Dad and grandmother but my biggest fan was always Ma. Grandma would play Buddy Rich records for me when I was just a toddler and jam out honky-tonk piano while I carelessly banged on something, those moments mesmerised me and hooked me on drums for life. She truly rocked, and I loved her for that spark she gave me.
My Dad played a bit when he was young. He played a few clubs here and there but the most influential part of my drumming years came directly from the fact my father tapped his fingers and feet all the time. It got me started tapping and listening. One day we were driving in his truck listening to Johnny Cash and my feet were tapping the floor in time to the man in black. I recall telling my Dad that I want one of those drums (kick). That Christmas they both made me the happiest kid in the world, I got my first drum set. I also at the same time pissed off the entire hood, because they made the mistake of setting them up and leaving drumsticks right there in the open. 5AM I was slammin the snot out of those drums! Greatest day ever. It lasted 3 minutes until DEAD STOP, and continued 48 more years.
It wasn’t until I tried to emulate Buddy Rich that I realised how enormous his shoes were to fill. This guy was just nuts! With his one hand drum roll and blistering fast fills me and Grandma would rock out to him when I was young.
But then came John Bonham, and he screwed everything up for me. Bonham was a hard-hitting freak of nature in my book. He hit so hard that just trying to play to any song with some amount of accuracy really messed up the hands, blisters on blisters. I started as a kid on Led Zep 1 and through the years advanced into Coda. I loved John Bonham.
Inspired by these weirdo's, I practised nearly every day for over four decades. Every time I sat behind my kit, I gave it everything I had. I’ve met and played with many incredible drummers- with way more skill than I could ever claim-but I was lucky enough to share the stage with them, and they never seemed to mind. I can’t say I was that good, but I always tried my best.
Looking back, maybe I should have taken a lesson or two- (it seems like a reoccurring theme in my life) it might have made things a bit easier. But like my journey with art, I learned by watching.
I’ve played with some of the best musicians I could ever imagine, and I’m grateful for the friendships and recordings we made together. Some of those friends even saved me a time or two.
I’ve played drums in just about every dive bar and rat joint you could imagine, pouring my sweat and blood into every performance (most times). I preferred a simple five-piece kit with a single pedal, which meant I had to work twice as hard to keep up, but I liked it that way. Despite the aches, pains, and future cramps (which are now my present cramps), it was all worth it, mostly.
I never made money playing drums, and I don’t have very many pictures to prove I ever even did it. All I have are the recordings and the memories-which, honestly, are more than enough. I'm lucky like that. EK
If you have ANY pictures, recordings or video I beg you to send them to:
Thanks in advanceGreg
WHAT IS NORMAL STARTER
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