Features
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Styx’s Todd Sucherman
"This came at a time when we're all feeling creative, and it puts wind in our sails." The fourteen-year wait since Styx's last album of all-new material is finally over, and the group's super-drummer might just be happier than anyone…
Jamie Oldaker Moving Centerstage
Although his is not a household name, even in many music circles, he has quietly racked up an impressive list of credentials by playing and recording with people such as Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, Peter Frampton, Bob Seger, and the…
The Evolution of the Drum Set: Part Two
Percussion manufacturers and designers are constantly inundating the percussion world with new hardware and new designs on old hardware. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Triumvirate: Earth, Wind & Fire's Ralph Johnson – Freddie White – Philip Bailey
The name of the group perhaps best describes the music. The rock and substance of the earth, the light, free breeze of the wind and the explosive, igniting spark of fire—Earth, Wind & Fire. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Stix Hooper: Finding The Groove
When Nesbert Hooper was twelve years old he spent so much time practicing on an old parade drum that his friends in Houston's Fifth Ward began calling him "Stix." At fifteen he put a band together with other teenage musicians…
Philly Joe Jones
In the early '50s, Tony Scott hired a young drummer from Philadelphia named Joe Jones. To avoid confusion with Count Basie's famous drummer (Jo Jones), Scott would introduce his drummer by saying, "This is the Joe Jones from Philly." TO…
Jim Keltner
Trying to establish a representative interview with Jim Keltner requires a sense of humor. The way he plays drums and the way he is seem to be so alike. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Ed Blackwelll — Singin' On The Set
Superlatives are like chuff before the wind in describing the drumming of Ed Blackwell, I'm sure I could speak with him for days and still walk away feeling like we'd never even got started. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE…
Terry Bozzio: Burnin'
Terry Bozzio has the chops to be an orchestra percussionist, a jazz fusion burner, or a rock and roll showman, and he's shown off each of those sides of his talent during an eventful career. TO READ THE FULL STORY:…
Sonny Greer: The Elder Statesman Of Jazz
William "Sonny" Greer was born in Long Branch, New Jersey on December 13, 1903. "I wasn't no rich kid." He remembers, "but I was always comfortable. We were a happy family. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG…
Yuval Lion
A concept will take you far—in this case, across the sea from Israel, through New York City’s labyrinthine underground music scene, and then high above the stage in David Byrne’s Off-Broadway production Joan of Arc: Into the Fire. TO READ…
Deep Purple’s Ian Paice
Deep Purple's drummer riffs on Made in Japan, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Long Goodbye. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
The Drum Thing
The most exciting thing,” photographer Deirdre O’Callaghan says, “is to be around passionate people with a drive to master an instrument. It’s truly magical.” That drive and passion come across crystal-clear in the images and words of the ninety-six drummers…
