Terry Williams is the drummer in Dire Straits. This may sound like a simplistic statement, but it’s surprising how many people need prodding to identify the person behind the distinctive, powerful rhythms driving one of the most successful bands in the world right now. Probably only an un-rock-star-like character trait—he’s unpretentious and prefers to use his talent to enhance the music rather than himself—and a geographical accident of birth—he’s from rural Wales rather than an urban center—have kept Terry from being mentioned with the usual list of rock ‘n’ roll drum greats; his skill goes without question. Williams, 38, has been playing professionally for more than 20 years. He is a self-described instinctive drummer who plays for the joy of the beat, and his crisp, incisive, and dynamic style has developed through years of playing everything from basic rock ‘n’ roll to jazz-fusion to lounge music. A member of […]

May 1986 Issue