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.

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Robin Tolleson

For forty years, the MD writer epitomized the role of drum journalist. TO READ THE FULL STORY: SUBSCRIBE TO ACCESS LOG IN

by Bob Girouard
Dec 27, 2019

Nashville Great Jerry Carrigan

A country legend remembered.

Patrick Berkery
Sep 30, 2019

In Memoriam: Avant-Garde Jazz Drummer Alvin Fielder

The jazz and experimental music world lost a giant this past January 5 when drummer, pharmacologist, drum historian, Alvin Fielder passed away.

Modern Drummer
Apr 30, 2019

In Memoriam: Joel Smith

Remembering the hugely influential and multifaceted gospel drummer. Joel Smith, one of the most prolific drummers in the gospel music scene, passed away this past September 8 at the age of fifty-eight. Beginning in the mid ’70s, Smith carved out…

Modern Drummer
Dec 27, 2018
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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.…

Modern Drummer
Aug 24, 2018

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…

by Jeff Potter
Mar 2, 2018

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

by Donny Gruendler
Feb 28, 2018

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

by Ilya Stemkovsky
Feb 15, 2018

Ronald Shannon Jackson

“As you know, this is only about having fun,” Ronald Shannon Jackson told the audience in his warm Texas drawl at the 1991 Skopje Jazz Festival, a performance archived on YouTube. “We’re here to have a little pleasure and bring…

by Hank Shteamer
Feb 5, 2018

Marvin McQuitty Jr.

He worked with nearly every major artist in the gospel genre, including Fred Hammond, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Israel Houghton, Maurette Brown Clark, and Kirk Franklin. Modern Drummer contributor Stephen Styles explains, from the head and from the heart, just…

by Stephen Styles
Nov 1, 2017

In Memoriam: Sonny Greer

Drive uptown on Broadway in Manhattan on a Monday night.

by Cheech Iero
Sep 21, 2017
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In Memoriam - Johnny Craviotto

Johnny Craviotto, who died on July 15 at age sixty-nine, may have passed on, but his legacy isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Craviotto thrived in the music industry as an innovator and a dear friend to many. His handcrafted solid-shell…

Modern Drummer
Mar 8, 2017

In Memoriam - Dennis Davis

There’s much to love about every drummer who played behind David Bowie. From Mick Woodmansey’s workmanlike chops to slick groove merchants like Andy Newmark and Omar Hakim to Mark Guiliana’s envelope-pushing concepts, all did amazing work with Bowie. TO READ…

Modern Drummer
Mar 8, 2017
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