A producer once told Vinnie Colaiuta that if you threw Tony Williams and Steve Gadd into a blender, Vinnie would be the tasteful concoction. He laughs modestly while he shrugs off the compliment, but it is probably an accurate description. Justifiably, he is the talk of the town and drummers pack into the L.A. club where he plays three nights a week. One drummer comments that Vinnie is the best drummer he’s ever seen and another puts it simply, repeatedly exclaiming, “Monster!” Innovative, colorful and tasteful, Vince Colaiuta began, as did many, playing pots and pans while growing up in Pennsylvania. After graduating to toy sets with paper heads, his parents finally bought him a semi-professional Japanese set which he’d play with the neighborhood kids. There was never any doubt that his instrument was the drums, even though he also had an electric guitar and took organ lessons. In fact, […]

November 1982 Issue