In Memoriam
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.
Pantera's Vinnie Paul, Elvis Presley's D.J. Fontana, Richard Swift
Remembering Pantera's Vinnie Paul, Elvis Presley's D.J. Fontana, and Richard Swift... TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Jon Hiseman & Gene Stone
“When people ask me what I play, the usual answer is ‘the drums’ because that is the instrument, but what I would like to say is, ‘I play the band.’ That is what I’m interested in.” So said Jon Hiseman,…
John “Jabo” Starks: 1938-2018
“He had that ‘stop-your-heart’ groove.” That’s how Fred Wesley, former bandleader for the “Godfather of Soul,” James Brown, describes the drumming of John Starks, who died this past May 1 at the age of seventy-nine. And the description is apt.…
Kenny Clare and Kenny Clarke
Kenny Clare British drummer Kenny Clare died on January 11 at the Westminster Hospital in London, at the age of 55. Kenny had been hospitalized for eight weeks and had several operations for the removal of cancer from the esophagus.…
Charlie “Chalo” Quintana: 1962-2018
The versatile L.A. drummer left a huge impression on musicians and fans alike.
Leon “Ndugu” Chancler: 1952-2018
Veteran MD contributor Robin Tolleson remembers the drummer, who made enormous musical contributions across multiple genres and coached scores of players in their own pursuit of greatness.
Ben Riley, Pat Torpey and Z’EV
Jazz drumming great Ben Riley died last November 18. He was eighty-four. Although best remembered for his high-profile 1964–67 tenure with the iconic pianist Thelonious Monk, Riley enjoyed a fruitful six-decade career supporting a lengthy roster of jazz luminaries, including…
Ray Lucas and Frank Capp Remembered
We remember two greats in the world of drumming...Ray Lucas and Frank Capp. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Frankie Dunlop
Francis “Frankie” Dunlop, a great jazz drummer of precision, sensitivity, inventiveness, and deep swing, passed away this past July at age eighty-five, after a long struggle with illness. Born December 6, 1928, into a musical family, Dunlop possessed determination that…
Chuck “Palito” Silverman
The drum community suffered an immense loss this past May 1, when teacher, mentor, and percussion ambassador Chuck “Palito” Silverman passed away at age sixty-two. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
Armando Perazza
Percussionist Armando Peraza, whose pioneering work brought together the worlds of Afro-Cuban, jazz, and rock music, passed away this past April 14 in San Francisco at age eighty-nine. He is survived by his wife, Josephine, a daughter, and three grandchildren.…
Ricky Lawson
Michael Jackson. Whitney Houston. Eric Clapton. Lionel Richie. Phil Collins. Steely Dan. What do these artists all have in common? TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN
