The Greats
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.
Uriel Jones: Architect of the Motown Sound
Fifty years ago, the phenomenally popular style of soul music known as Motown was born. Back then, Uriel Jones could kick-start a surefire hit with a couple strokes on a tom, a crack of his snare, and not much…
Phil Rudd: The Very Definition of Rock Drumming
When many musicians and fans think about no-nonsense, rock-solid, play-for-the-song drumming, the first name that comes to mind is Phil Rudd. The Australian drummer played in several Melbourne bands, such as Buster Brown and the Coloured Balls, before joining up…
Roy Burns: Swing Star, Clinic Pioneer, Entrepreneur, And Beyond
Roy Burns has done it all—and done it well. He’s held the throne of numerous big bands. He’s established himself as an in-demand studio player, teacher, and clinician. He’s written numerous drum instructionals. And he’s one of the founding members…
Jimmy Cobb: Kind Of Blue And Beyond
Jimmy Cobb was one of the most popular drummers of the late 1950s. He began playing at an early age and found his influences among the bop pioneers. “Max Roach was the hippest music going,” remembers Cobb. “I also listened…
Buddy Miles: The Power Of Soul
George “Buddy” Miles—nicknamed after “the world’s greatest drummer,” Buddy Rich—was born in 1947 in Omaha, Nebraska, and got an early musical education listening to the jazz that was played at home. At the same time, Buddy was listening to the…
Joe Morello: Changing The Way We Think About Time
In his classic book The Great Jazz Drummers, Modern Drummer founder Ron Spagnardi said, “Throughout his storied career, Joe Morello displayed a rare combination of drumming talents. He revealed an exceptional sense of swing and finesse combined with astounding technical ability. Along with…
Brian Downey: Style, Power, And Swing With Thin Lizzy
Music fans outside of Ireland by and large know Thin Lizzy and the band’s drummer, Brian Downey, from their 1977 hit, “The Boys Are Back In Town.” The song features one of the greatest guitar riffs and some of the…
Buddy Harman: The Original Country Drummer
Before Buddy Harman, there was no drumset on country music recordings. A true groundbreaker in the annals of drumming, after opeing up Nashville to the concept, Harmon went on to make nearly 20,000 records, including a plethora of hits with…
Paul Wertico: Prolific And Profound With Metheny And Beyond
(From the June 2010 issue of Modern Drummer magazine) Paul Wertico first grabbed the world’s attention as a member of jazz guitarist Pat Metheny’s group, with whom he recorded ten CDs and won seven Grammys between 1983 and 2001. Other…
Terry Bozzio: Chops Wizard, Genre Bender
He called it “an unbelievable musical education, beyond my wildest dreams.” And indeed, for any alumnus of avant-garde rock icon Frank Zappa’s groups, Terry Bozzio’s 1981 recollection of his time with the genius composer/guitarist was typical. Zappa was the greatest…
Tiny Kahn: His Own Kind Of Chops
The bop era of the ’40s saw the arrival of several somewhat lesser-known drummers. One of the most important was Tiny Kahn. “Tiny and I were both advocates of the small group approach to big band playing,” said Mel Lewis.…
Rod Morgenstein: Cross-Genre Ripping
Rod Morgenstein is best known as the blazing left-handed drummer with the influential fusion band Dixie Dregs and the pop-metal band Winger. Rod’s professional career began in 1975 while he was still a student at the University of Miami, which…
John Riley : Master Player/Master Teacher
John Riley, one of the most respected drummer/educators of the past thirty years, was born in 1954, and began playing drums at the age of eight. At twelve Riley began playing in rock bands and was first exposed to jazz…
John Tempesta: Heavy With Testament, Zombie, And Beyond
John Tempesta has worked his way to the top of heavy metal drumming, but his first inspirations and influences to pursue the instrument came via Ringo Starr in the Beatles film A Hard Day’s Night and Dennis Davis supporting David…
Kenny Aronoff: In Constant Demand
Kenny Aronoff is one of the world’s busiest session and touring drummers, working with a hugely impressive list of major artists including John Fogerty, Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Etheridge, Rod Stewart, Avril Lavigne, Willie Nelson, and the gig he first came…
