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Charlie Watts: The Stones’ Rock-Solid Survivor

Charlie Watts






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Note: Some MD articles are only available in pdf format. Those articles do not appear in this list. Subscribers to Digital and All-Access can view every Modern Drummer issue in their available formats. Browse all MD issues from our archive here.
October 2021:
It’s Only Rock and Roll
Billy Amendola by Michele Eve

Welcome to a very special MD tribute to the Rolling Stones’ Charlie Watts. I grew up in that era where a question like “Beatles or Stones?” sort of told you about someone. I always thought it was crazy, because although I was Beatles, I still dug the Stones. It was …


October 2021:
Charlie Watts Quartet

Four Different Collector Covers Honor the Legend The Modern Drummer staff wanted to do something ultra-special to celebrate the life and artistry of Charlie Watts, and we decided that a single cover—however great it might look—simply would not do. We decided to commit to four different covers—a “Bigger Bang,” so …


October 2021:
Remembering Charlie Watts

Ringo Starr Excerpted from his Change the World Press Conference Charlie Watts was a beautiful human being—a great guy and a lot of fun. He had a harder band than I did to keep together. He was like the quiet man. In the ’70s, I had parties, and you’ll never …


October 2021:
Charlie’s 50 & Counting Rehearsal Kit

We’re taking this space away from Modern Drummer readers this issue, but we hope no one will mind, because the Kit of the Month for October 2021 belonged to Charlie Watts. (We’ll showcase reader kits again starting next month—you weren’t worried, were you?) This Gretsch kit was used by Watts …


October 2021:
Capturing That Charlie Vibe

As great as he was as the starship-powered engine of the Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts didn’t have a distinctly obvious drum sound on the order of John Bonham’s bombastic room rumble, or Tony Thompson’s gleefully grandiose ‘80s Power Station tracks. And yet, when most drummers, producers, and engineers mention Watts’ …


October 2021:
A family tribute to Charlie Watts …Or Recollections on the Bakerloo Line

Charlie presenting Dad with the Zildjian Lifetime Achievement Award in London, 2008. I know that my late father, Ginger Baker, would want me to pay tribute to one of his two most-enduring friendships. Here is my personal account of a close, yet relatively little-known relationship. From my earliest recollections of …


October 2021:
Charlie’s My Darling…

The reluctant rock star.The loving husband to his beautiful wife Shirleyfor over a half a century.The fantastic father to his Seraphina.The brilliant grandfather to his Charlotte.The jazz lover/enthusiast.The Dapper Dan.The dog lover/owner.The Arabian horse owner.The classic car collector.The vintage drum collector.The Rolling Stone for 59 years. When we first met, …


October 2021:
Charlie Watts

A Personal Remembrance and Tribute Ringo Starr and I waited at the top of his Los Angeles driveway. It was November 2006, and as noon approached, I turned to ask Ringo, “When was the last time you and Charlie saw each other?” It had been a long time—probably backstage somewhere …


October 2021:
That Seductive Charlie Watts Groove

One Style I Could Never Mimic Charlie loved music of all kinds. One of the many things we had in common. And he loved all the same drummers I did—mostly the jazz guys. But we also agreed on how great it was to see the chops guys taking things to …


October 2021:
Don McAulay Charlie Watts’ Drum Tech

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 …


October 2021:
Why Influencers Matter

The Drummers Who Forged Charlie Watts’ Style As a teenager in early ‘50s London, Charlie Watts discovered the American jazz art form and was transformed. He became obsessed with anything and everything regarding the American jazz movement—including the fashion and flair of these jazz musicians. He even began dressing like …


October 2021:
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault

The Charlie Watts Collection Long before I ever met Charlie Watts, I was captivated by him and anything he did, said, or played. Why did this small, grey-haired gentleman sitting quietly behind the massive spectacle of the Rolling Stones command more attention and admiration than the entire rest of the …


October 2021:
A Distinguished Gentleman

My Photographic Journey with Charlie Watts Charlie Watts was a distinguished man, grounded, considerate of others. In 1981, years after we had worked together, he called me from the road when he heard my father passed away. He brought so much to so many, and he was unique among the …


October 2021:
“The Adult in the Gang”

Photographing Charlie Watts Charlie was a real English Gentleman who brought class to the Rolling Stones as the adult in the gang. And he gave them a solid foundation to play on! As fast as rock and roll can be, Charlie made it look easy and didn’t break a sweat. …


October 2021:
Watts Wisdom

Stone Insights from the Pages of Modern Drummer Given his stature in the drum community and his tenure in the world’s greatest rock and roll band, Charlie Watts gave few relatively interviews. For example, throughout MD’s 45 years, he only appeared on our cover three times. This, despite the Rolling …


October 2021:
What Was That?

Five Genius Charlie Watts Fills You hardly ever see “Charlie Watts” and “Drum Fills” in the same sentence. Discussions around him usually involve his groove, his feel, and the way he never plays his hi-hat with his backbeat. Rightfully so—as Watts had a one-of-a-kind approach to the instrument, and there’s …


October 2021:
Chad and Charlie

In 2018, Charlie Watts made an appearance on Drum Channel’s The Chad Smith Show. To celebrate Watt’s imprint and impact on drumming, we are currently offering the complete interview for free at drumchannel.com, but here are a few tidbits from the conversation, as well as a transcription of “Beast of …


October 2021:
Charlie Watts in 1967: The Year of Experimentation

For decades, the Rolling Stones have served up their brand of raunchy, bluesy rock and roll to millions of fans around the globe. They’ve outlasted trends, age restrictions, and most of their ’60s contemporaries. To drummers, Charlie Watts represents a throwback to a time when feel mattered more than flash. …


September 2021:
Donn Bennett’s Drum Vault

Logo Heads Several years ago, I made the decision to begin selling off my drum collection. I’d spent decades amassing one of the most extensive collections of rare and vintage drums in the world. One of the biggest factors leading to the sale was that I simply ran out of …


September 2020:
MODERN DRUMMER SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER
Avenues to Excellence
Avenues to Excellence

15 MD Cover Artists Reveal the Big Ideas That Put Them on the Road to Success The abundance of educational material online, as well as great teachers to mold your passion and enthusiasm into technique and musicality, are massively beneficial to those seeking proficiency on the drums. But even with …


September 2020:
MODERN DRUMMER SEPTEMBER 2020 COVER
What Was Your First Favorite Drum Record?
Reader Platform September 2020

Vivid by Living Colour. Will Calhoun plays masterfully and with tons of power. It was perfect: playable but loaded with nuance.Scott Sparks Manu Katché on Peter Gabriel’s Secret World Live. I was around five, and it just blew my mind. That’s when I realized drumming was what I wanted to …


April 2019:
What's Your Favorite Charlie Watts Performance?
April 19 Readers Platform

When we first took to social media to ask which performances you’d recommend from the seminal Rolling Stones drummer, Charlie Watts.


February 1983:
"Start Me Up"
Rock Charts

While styles come and go, the Stones’ success seems to be based in their unwavering dedication to their trademark: basic and unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll. “Start Me Up” is the latest in the long line of Rolling Stones’ hits, and Charlie Watts, as from the very beginning, is laying down …


October 1982:
The History of Rock Drumming Part IV
History of Rock Drumming

The British Invasion of the ’60s literally changed the consciousness of the world.


August September 1982:
Charlie Watts

“I probably was a typical musician, but I wasn’t, and am still not, a Rolling Stone. I mean, I am because that’s what I do, but the other stuff is bull


August September 1982:
A Conversation With Charlie Watts

SF: How much did the Chess blues records influence you when you were growing up? CW: I never heard them until I met Keith and Mick. My whole block used to listen to Savoy jazz records as kids. I never used to listen to Elvis Presley or anything. It’s only …


November 2017:
Steve Maxwell Vintage and Custom Drum Shop

Aided by his wife, his two sons, and some trusted employees with whom he doesn’t share a last name, Maxwell has seen his business evolve to include custom drum making and cymbal repurposing. And his responsibilities go beyond owning and operating the two shops and online business. Maxwell joined Craviotto …


December 2007:
December 2007 – Volume 31 • Number 12

Max Roach, Derek Roddy, Marvin McQuitty, Shawn Drover, Jon Moen, Mario Calire, Jiro Yamaguchi, Justin Poree, Don Stevenson, George Hurley, Aaron Comess, Charlie Watts, Morgan Rose, Bernie Dresel, Dave Weckl


September 2000:
September 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 9

Charlie Watts, Jim Keltner, Steve Smith, Abe Cunningham, Elvin Jones, Richie “Gajate” Garcia, Gene Krupa, Phil Rudd, Billy Martin, Darrin Pfeiffer, Matt Walker, Brant Bjork, Gerry Hemingway, Danny Carey, Bill Bruford, John Riley


August 1998:
August 1998 – Volume 22 • Number 8

Gregg Bissonette, Martin Atkins, John Kamoosi, Gregg Bendian, John Blackwell, Rich Hoak, Charlie Watts, Nick D’Virgilio, Peter Erskine, Bruce Cox, Brian Jones, Forrest Williams, Joey Baron, Cozy Powell, Carlos Vega, Dennis Charles, Bill Bruford, Bun E. Carlos


September 1996:
September 1996 – Volume 20 • Number 9

In this Issue: Stephen Perkins, Shane Evans, Zach Danziger, Jason Finn, Chad Gracey, Milton Cardona, Butch Vig, Willie Ornelas, Billy Exiner, Dave Mattacks, Rick Allen, Charlie Watts, Adrian Young, Herman Matthews, Tim “Herb” Alexander, Steve Smith,


February 1990:
February 1990 – Volume 14 • Number 2

In this Issue: Charlie Watts, Frederick Waits, Deen Castronovo, Dave Weckl, Jack DeJohnette, Vinnie Colaiuta, Danny Gottlieb, Gregg Bissonette, Liberty DeVitto, Chad Wackerman, Michael Shrieve, David Beal, Carl Palmer


August September 1982:
August September 1982 – Volume 6 • Number 6

Charlie Watts, Ed Mann, David Dix, George Marsh, Louie Bellson, Paulinho DaCosta, Gina Schock, Tony Williams, Sandy Slavin



Posted: February 27, 2023

Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Mick Jagger, and Keith Richards
Category: News
Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney Play on The Rolling Stones’ New Album: Report

Photos via Getty The ultimate ’60s supergroup is materializing — but perhaps only for a song or two. The Rolling Stones’ new album is yet to be announced, but Variety has confirmed the record will feature The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Whether or not Starr and McCartney appear …


Posted: August 24, 2021

Category: News
Legendary Rolling Stones Drummer Charlie Watts Dies at 80

Modern Drummer joins the world in mourning the passing of legendary Rolling Stone drummer Charlie Watts. A statement from Charlie’s spokesperson reads, “It is with immense sadness that we announce the death of our beloved Charlie Watts. He passed away peacefully in a London hospital today surrounded by his family.” …


Posted: August 5, 2021

Category: News
Charlie Watts to miss Rolling Stones’ U.S. tour dates.

Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts under doctors’ orders, will take a break to recover from a recent medical procedure. According to Watts, in a statement, “I am working hard to get fully fit but have accepted today on the advice of experts that this will take me a while to …


Posted: April 25, 2019

Bernard Fowler
Category: On the Beat
Bernard Fowler of the Rolling Stones

Talking About New Album, Percussionists/Drummers, and Gear Hello everyone in Modern Drummer land! Inside Out is the name of my new LP and it’s a reinterpretation of songs written by Keith Richards and Mick Jagger for the Rolling Stones. As I was finishing up my last LP, The Bura, I …


Posted: May 17, 2018

Dan Needham
Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On The Beat with Dan Needham of Michael McDonald: Talks Making Yourself Valuable

Hello fellow MD drummers! We recently returned from an amazing two-month American/European tour with the great Michael McDonald and I’m excited to be home with my family again.


Posted: May 31, 2017

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Featured, Web Exclusive
Web Exclusive: Greg Saunier on Big Walnuts Yonder

On its self-titled debut, released this past May 5, the indie-rock collective Big Walnuts Yonder fuses wild time shifts, explosive punk tones, and unhinged improvisation on ten electrified, cohesive tracks.


Posted: December 27, 2016

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat with Tom Ogden of Deaf Havana: Talks Influences, Setup, and New Record

Hi, Modern Drummer readers. Let me start by saying how thankful and honored I am to be writing an article for such a great magazine and online community. So many drummers from so many styles have influenced me—I’m a massive Travis Barker fan since the age of twelve, and that’s …


Posted: November 30, 2016

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Featured
Monte Yoho on the Outlaws’ Legacy Live

The Outlaws are one of the premier bands associated with the Southern-rock movement of the ’70s, and drummer Monte Yoho was with the group—dubbed Florida’s Guitar Army—at the very beginning. Early hits like the Yoho co-write “There Goes Another Love Song,” the classic update of the famous 1948 cowboy tale …


Posted: September 29, 2016

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, On the Beat
On Tour: Tony Leone With the Chris Robinson Brotherhood

Longtime New York City drummer Tony Leone is currently on the road with the Chris Robinson Brotherhood.


Posted: July 1, 2016

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Featured, Web Exclusive
Stephen Perkins on Jane’s Addiction’s Twenty-Fifth-Anniversary Ritual De Lo Habitual Shows

Modern Drummer Online caught up with Stephen Perkins while he was prepping for a clinic tour and some dates with Jane’s Addiction, commemorating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the group’s watershed album Ritual De Lo Habitual.


Posted: June 30, 2016

Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg on the August 2016 issue of Modern Drummer
Category: Drummers, Featured, Issues, News, News and Events
August 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg

(Available in print and digitally June 30, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg “They didn’t want a copycat, so I needed to play it in my own way. I can’t play it any other way.” Taking the place of …


Posted: June 30, 2016

Category: Drummers, Featured, Issues, News, News and Events
August 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine featuring Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg

(Available in print and digitally June 30, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Slipknot’s Jay Weinberg “They didn’t want a copycat, so I needed to play it in my own way. I can’t play it any other way.” Taking the place of …


Posted: November 9, 2015

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat With Damon Wilson of the Temperance Movement: Opening For the Rolling Stones

Hi MD! For the past months we’ve played shows in all sorts of places across America. Large theatres. Small clubs. Sports bars. Board rooms. Radio stations. You name it, we’ve played it. But nothing beats Friday June 12, 2015 in Orlando, FL opening for the biggest rock ’n’ roll band …


Posted: April 10, 2015

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Drummer Blog: Translator’s Dave Scheff Talks Past Influences and Upcoming Shows

Though I’ve drummed my way across the spectrum, with acts as disparate as comedian Jerry Van Dyke, icon Joan Baez, and Dead Kennedys, my one true musical love has always been the band I started with Steve Barton, the ’80s cult fave Translator….


Posted: October 3, 2014

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Brad Wilk Dashes Expectations With the Last Internationale

Recording with Black Sabbath was the first surprise; now the ex-Rage/Audioslave drummer dashes expectations again with the Last Internationale….


Posted: March 3, 2014

Category: Drummers, Multimedia, Videos
VIDEO – Trey Anastasio Band Drummer Russ Lawton

Check out this video clip of the band Soule Monde, featuring drummer Russ Lawton and keyboardist Ray Paczkowski, both members of the solo group led by Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio. The clip was filmed in July 2013 at the Slide Brook Lodge & Tavern in Warren, Vermont, a favorite haunt …


Posted: November 27, 2013

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, News, News and Events
Chico Hamilton: 1921–2013

Jazz drummer Foreststorn “Chico??? Hamilton died this past Monday at the age of ninety-two. Hamilton was notable for his refined approach to the drumset, which leaned more heavily on creative orchestrations than on flash, an approach that in the 1950s inspired the movements of cool and chamber jazz. Notably, Hamilton …


Posted: July 12, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Claude Coleman Jr.

My name is Claude Coleman Jr. I have been the drummer for Ween for the last twenty years. I’m currently drummer for Eagles of Death Metal, as well multi-instrumentalist for my own group, Amandla.


Posted: July 5, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Matt Amadio of the Fleeting Ends

I’m co-writer in my band, the Fleeting Ends, and I have a great love for singing and melody, so it’s difficult to describe myself as just a drummer….


Posted: December 14, 2012

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Supla Suplicy from Brothers of Brazil

When my brother Joao and I decided to play together about five years ago, I knew that I had to reinvent myself.


Posted: September 21, 2012

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Russell Simins of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion

Hey, all, Russell Simins from the one and only Blues Explosion here. I play drums and write music with bandmates Jon Spencer and Judah Bauer, two of the greatest guitarists I know, and I know a lot of them.


Posted: April 11, 2012

Category: Clinics and Events, Drummers, News, News and Events
Charlie Watts to Play Four Nights at the Iridium

This coming June 29 through July 2, Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts will be playing the Iridium jazz club in New York City.


Posted: March 19, 2012

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Tim Walsh of the Stepkids

I’m Tim Walsh of the Stepkids, and I’m excited to be on here and hope to add to the wealth of knowledge that is MD’s awesome thirty-five-year history…


Posted: January 27, 2012

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Lessons, Mind Matters
Mind Matters: The Drummer as Performer/Entertainer

I’ve been drumming with a band for the past five months, and the bandleader recently said I wasn’t performing enough on stage. When I asked what she meant, she said my drumming was fine but I had no personality on stage…


Posted: January 10, 2012

Category: Drummers, The Greats
Mel Lewis: A Quiet Fire

For big band great Mel Lewis, the drums were his easy chair and the band his hearth. He was the fire.


Posted: September 12, 2011

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Scott Batiste of Saviours

Hi, MD readers! My name is Scott Batiste. I play drums for Saviours, a heavy metal band from Oakland, California. I’ve been reading Modern Drummer since 1988. After all these years following the magazine, it’s a true honor to be asked to contribute.


Posted: July 25, 2011

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Chris St. Hilaire of London Souls

Hello! Ahh…drums! How else can you smash heads with a stick and not go to jail? I started playing at about fourteen years old, when my dad got me my first drumkit. It was a Groove Percussion kit, and I really beat the thing to a pulp…


Posted: July 1, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
MD Readers Poll 2011 Results

Welcome once again to the MD Readers Poll, where the greatest drummers on the planet are honored by the most educated drum fans around. Let’s get right to it: the envelope, please….


Posted: March 4, 2011

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Nate Parsell of Amely

My humble beginnings as a drummer began in the basement of my old house in rural Ohio. My parents gave me my first kit as a Christmas present when I was in the eighth grade. I studied percussion privately throughout my high school days while also playing in marching band, …


Posted: February 16, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
John “JR” Robinson: Web Exclusive

Story by Billy AmendolaBetween his appearance on this year’s Grammys and his upcoming performance at the Oscars, JR continues his conversation with MD about what a typical day in the studio is like, his early influences, his upcoming DVD, drum solos, reading charts, and taking a break from the studio …


Posted: December 9, 2010

Steve Wynn & the Miracle 3’s Linda Pitmon Modern Drummer Drummer Blog
Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3’s Linda Pitmon

The songs on our new album, Northern Aggression, range from dense, driving, psychedelic prog rock—complete with massive Hammond B3—to sparse and dark cautionary tales. The whole of this record was recorded with very little preparation of our band, in fact, the recording of the swingin’ Doors-like tune “Consider The Source” …


Posted: December 9, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3’s Linda Pitmon

The songs on our new album, Northern Aggression, range from dense, driving, psychedelic prog rock—complete with massive Hammond B3—to sparse and dark cautionary tales. The whole of this record was recorded with very little preparation of our band, in fact, the recording of the swingin’ Doors-like tune “Consider The Source” …


Posted: September 27, 2010

Category: Feature Stories
The Drummer: Classic Rock

An educated, entertaining, essential addition to every drummer’s library—and to the history of modern drumming—The Drummer: Classic Rock Collector’s Edition magazine builds on content from Modern Drummer’s Top-selling The Drummer book with expanded coverage of drumming royalty from the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll.


Posted: July 15, 2010

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Jon Fishman: Phish Plays The Rolling Stones

by Michael Parillo n the cover story of the September issue of MD, out now, Phish drummer Jon Fishman holds court on topics ranging from the breakup and reunion of his band to how milking a cow can help you maintain your drumming chops. In this online exclusive interview, he …


Posted: March 12, 2010

Category: Drummers, The Greats
The Greats: Ginger Baker

Ginger gained fame as a member of Cream, featuring Jack Bruce on bass and Eric Clapton on guitar.


Posted: March 8, 2010

Category: Drum Gods, Drummers, The Greats
The Greats: Jim Keltner

Jim Keltner is inarguably a true studio drum god. Highly regarded for his session work on solo recordings by three of the Beatles, Jim could also be considered a close life-long friend of George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr…


Posted: February 8, 2010

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, The Greats
Charlie Watts: The Stones’ Rock-Solid Survivor

Charlie Watts was born on July 2, 1941, in Islington, London, England. In 1960, he was playing with a local band when he met blues musician Alexis Korner, who convinced him to join his band, Blues Incorporated. Later that same year, the band picked up lead singer Mick Jagger, as …


Posted: October 20, 2009

Category: Feature Stories
Drumming On TV

In celebration of the great, sometimes groundbreaking drumming performances of TV’s golden age, we present to you highlights along the illustrious Drumming On TV timeline…


Posted: August 30, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Jes Calcaterra of Billy Boy On Poison

Being the only girl in the band is really intimidating but has its advantages….


Posted: February 19, 2009

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Mitch Mitchell: Drummers Weigh In

Mitch Mitchell was not alone in blending jazz and rock drumming styles, but he may have pushed the combo further than anyone who came before him. Here a number of noted drummers provide further insight into Mitch’s influence….


Posted: February 3, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Roger Taylor of Duran Duran Drummer Blog

Roger Taylor here (no, not the one from Queen, the other one!). Duran Duran recently completed filming a documentary about the making of the Rio album….


Posted: January 12, 2009

Category: Feature Stories, What We're Listening To
Great Drum Parts = GENIUS

The March issue of MD (out now) features Billy Ward’s fascinating conversation with Simon Phillips, Doane Perry, Marco Minnemann, Thomas Lang, and Jerry Marotta about the grooves that inspired them to play drums early on, and that continue to today. It seemed to make perfect sense for MD’s editors to …


Posted: November 20, 2008

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
J. Mascis: A Double Life

There’s J. Mascis, singer, speaker-shredding guitarist, and chief architect of Dinosaur Jr.’s very loud and deceptively tuneful sound. Then there’s J. Mascis, balls-to-the-wall hard rock drummer for Witch.


Posted: July 9, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Howie Diamond of Low Vs. Diamond

We’ve been road warriors the past few months, playing shows in anticipation of our debut album coming out this summer. It's been a great run so far, and I would never in my wildest dreams have thought that I could make a living playing drums. Not that I am yet….


Posted: March 18, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
David Uosikkinen

One of the many things I always admired about drummers like Ringo, Charlie Watts, Steve Gadd, Liberty DeVitto, Russ Kunkel, Jim Keltner, Steve Jordan, and Mickey Curry is the way they got their heads into the song they were playing….


Posted: February 1, 2008

Category: Caught in the Web, Drummers, Feature Stories
Ira Elliot: Caught in the Web

Nada Surf is one of the smartest, freshest-sounding rock bands of the past ten/fifteen years. And like they say, behind every brilliant band is an equally crafty drummer. Kit man Ira Elliot is as sharp as they get.


Posted: February 1, 2008

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Frank Funaro Tour Blog

Happy New Year, fellow MD readers. I’m honored to have been asked to do a blog for MD Online, and I decided to go with a road-blog. I’m currently in rehearsals and pre-production for the next Cracker record….


Posted: December 5, 2007

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Dee Pop of The Bush Tetras

As with most people around my age, my heroes were Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa (who both seemed to turn up regularly on variety television shows), Ringo Starr, Charlie Watts, Mitch Mitchell…


Posted: December 1, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Update: Roger Taylor

It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Justin Timberlake, Timbaland, and Nate “Danja??? Hills signed on to co-produce Duran Duran’s latest CD, Red Carpet Massacre. After all, the band—keyboardist Nick Rhodes, singer Simon Le Bon, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor (guitarist Andy Taylor decided to bow out …


Posted: October 19, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Jon Moen of The Decemberists

It could be coincidence, but it bears mentioning that since Jon Moen began drumming for The Decemberists in 2005, the band’s stock has risen dramatically. When Moen joined for the tour behind their folk-pop masterpiece Picaresque, they were playing 800–1,000 seat rooms. By year’s end they were selling out 3,000-seaters….


Posted: April 17, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
John Convertino of Calexico

“I was actually trying to channel Charlie Watts on this record,??? laughs Calexico drummer John Convertino, explaining his M.O. while recording the critically acclaimed Tucson, Arizona band’s latest album, Garden Ruin….


Posted: July 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Web Exclusive Interview: Ringo Starr

At an age where most would be settling back and reaping the rewards of their major accomplishments in life, Richard Starkey, better known to the world as Ringo Starr, is not even thinking about slowing down. In fact, he’s exactly where he wants to be at this stage of his …


Posted: July 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Stan Frazier of Sugar Ray Interview

The SoCal band Sugar Ray, with poster-pinup lead singer Mark McGrath, guitarist Rodney Sheppard, bassist Murphy Karges, DJ Craig “Homicide” Bullock, and drummer Stan Frazier, have definitely proved to all the critics who once labeled them “one-hit wonders” that they are here to stay….


Posted: July 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Steve Jordan Interview

Steve Jordan has accomplished more in his drumming career than he ever could have imagined. Of the big names he played with, a short list would include Ashford & Simpson, Chuck Berry, Keith Richards, Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, The Pretenders, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, B.B. King, David Sanborn, Tom Scott, …


Posted: May 24, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
An Interview with Jim Keltner

Jim Keltner needs no introduction to Modern Drummer readers. Jim has played with just about everyone in music royalty, and it’s no mystery why: Everyone wants Jim’s feel-good vibe on their recordings. And if you ever met the man, you would know instantly that it’s not only great playing he …


Posted: May 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Drumming With the Velvet Underground, Part 1: Billy Yule

With this week’s news of the passing of singer/songwriter/guitarist Lou Reed, millions of fans are grieving, while millions more people are learning for the first time how gargantuan an influence the New York musician and his ’60s band the Velvet Underground have had on rock music….


Posted: May 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Chris Cester of Jet

The band Jet has released what many consider to be one of the best rock records of the year, Get Born, which features the hit single (and Apple iPod anthem) “Are You Gonna Be My Girl.” MD Online recently had the opportunity to speak with drummer Chris Cester on one …


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Stewart Copeland: An Interview

A case can be made that Stewart Copeland is the single most influential drummer of the last twenty-plus years. A good case….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Ryan Pope:
Gettin’ Down With The Get Up Kids

One of the factors that distinguishes this Kansas City quartet is its powerful but nimble drummer, Ryan Pope



Posted: March 16, 2023

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Paul Sexton

John’s guest is Paul Sexton, author of the Charlie Watts biography, “Charlie’s Good Tonight.” Paul discusses his history with Charlie and The Rolling Stones, going back to 1991, how the book came together, including the approval and endorsement from Charlie’s family and the participation of all the members of The …


Posted: November 17, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Jim Keltner

John’s guest is the legendary and incomparable, Jim Keltner! John and Jim discuss Jim’s incredible and prolific career starting with his first recording, Gary Lewis and the Playboys’ “Just My Style.” Continuing with his work with Bob Dylan, Mad Dogs and Englishmen, John Lennon, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, Gary Wright, …


Posted: September 15, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 88: Live From My Drum Room Remembering Charlie Watts – Part 4

Part 4 of John DeChristopher’s series Remembering Charlie Watts. John’s guests were Jim Keltner, Vinnie Colaiuta, Charley Drayton, Pete Thomas, Anton Fig and Aaron Comess. They shared some beautiful stories about Charlie and even turned to Ringo, as drummers often do. Hold on to your hats because this is one …


Posted: September 8, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 87: Live From My Drum Room Remembering Charlie Watts – Part 3

Part 3 of John DeChristopher’s series Remembering Charlie Watts. A fabulous discussion with drumming legends, Simon Kirke (Bad Company/Free) Steve Gorman (Black Crowes/Trigger Hippy), Gregg Bissonette (Ringo Starr All Star Band) and Don McAulay (Charlie’s drum tech and currently Steve Jordan’s drum tech). Check out John’s other episodes of “Live …


Posted: September 1, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 86: Live From My Drum Room Remembering Charlie Watts – Part 2

Part 2 of John DeChristopher’s series Remembering Charlie Watts. A fabulous and often hilarious discussion with Steve Smith, Kenny Aronoff, Dave Mattacks, Chad Smith, Mickey Curry, Shawn Pelton, Clem Burke and Don McAulay. Please check out “Part 1” if you haven’t already and stay tuned for “Part 3”!  Check out …


Posted: August 25, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 85: Live From My Drum Room Remembering Charlie Watts – Part 1

Recorded October 7, 2021. The first of a series of episodes devoted to Remembering Charlie Watts. A huge thanks to my friends Steve Gadd, Kenney Jones, Rick Marotta, Stan Lynch, Michael Shrieve, Andy Newmark, Steve Maxwell, John Ferraro and Yard Gavrilovic. The laughs and stories were non-stop! Check out Part …


Posted: June 2, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 73: John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Donn Bennett

John’s guest was Donn Bennett, drummer, educator and founder of Donn Bennett’s Drum Studio in Seattle, WA. Donn talks about how he went from a teaching studio to opening his retail store, how he got into collecting vintage drums, creating “Donn’s Drum Vault” – his incredible collection of rare and …


Posted: April 14, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 66: John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Chad Smith

In this episode, Chad talks about moving to Los Angeles in 1988 to attend music school and joining the “Red Hot Chili Peppers”, the new RHCP record and upcoming tour, the supergroup “Chickenfoot” and other projects, and his MD Legends Book which is now available. Chad and John shared some …


Posted: May 5, 2020

Modern Drummer Podcast
Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
MD Podcast Episode 241: Drummer Scouting Reports, Doc Sweeney Pure Series Snares, and More

Mike and Mike discuss the relationship between 6/8 and 3/4 time and how they teach them.