Drums are at the center of many lives, and Don McAulay seems to live in all of them. McAulay is a drummer, a woodworker, drum restorer, studio owner, vintage-drum collector, and technican for bands such as Neil Young, My Morning Jacket, NRBQ, U2, Faith No More, and others. For the past nine years, McAulay had been working with Charlie Watts on the road, in the studio, and with his incredible collection. He now works with Steve Jordan—current drummer for the Rolling Stones’ on the No Filter Tour—as we all grieve the loss of Charlie Watts. How McAulay ended up working with a Rolling Stone—as well as his other famous clients—is probably of great interest to many Modern Drummer readers. A few minutes of talking to him offers up a clue, as McAulay is light-hearted, thoughtful, and delighted to talk drums. It seems obvious why Watts wanted this easy going and […]

October 2021 Issue