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David Garibaldi : Perpetually Hip With Tower Of Power : Modern Drummer

David Garibaldi






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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.
August 2021:
Get Into the Groove

To further celebrate the soulful, timekeeping majesty of this month’s cover artist Earl Young, we dove into the Modern Drummer archives to find ten other groove masters talking about how they make the music move. Greg Errico, October 2011 “Sly Stone had great producing chops, and the songs would morph …


January 2020:
Tower of Power’s David Garibaldi

Garibaldi’s classic body-moving tracks expanded the drumset vocabulary, inspiring generations of stick wielders.


January 2020:
What’s Your Favorite David Garibaldi Track?

Readers weigh in on their favorite David Garibaldi tracks.


January 2020:
Tower of Power's David Garibaldi: The Beat Builder

Building upon the James Brown legacy, he expanded the vocabulary of beat-displacement groove patterns and applied them in a “linear” concept.


May 2019:
May 2019
Drum Wisdom: Bruce Becker
Bruce Becker

Bruce Becker is an L.A.-based teacher regarded as a guru of the mechanics of drumming. His colleagues refer to him as “Yoda,” “the Master,” “the Technique Guy.”


January 1986:
The State Of The Art — David Garibaldi
David Garibaldi

Rhythm & Blues: 1980, ’81, ’82, ’83 Funk: 1984, ’85 You have to admire someone who is successful and happy doing something, but stops because he doesn’t feel that he is growing. Such was the case with David Garibaldi when he left Tower OfPower in 1980. The question that arose …


January 1986:
The State Of The Art
The State Of The Art

An Anniversary is typically a time to celebrate, but it can also be a time to reflect on the past and look ahead to the future. And so, when the editors got together to plan a special issue to mark the beginning of Modern Drummer’s tenth year, it was agreed …


May 1985:
The Five-Note Fill/Solo Concept
Rock Perspectives Lead

Here is an idea for use in either fills or soloing. The study is based on the following five-note pattern: The five-note pattern, when played as consecutive triplets or 16th notes in 4/4 time, comes back to where it began (on beat 1) after five full bars of 4/4. The …


November 1983:
A Beat Study
Rock Perspectives Lead

The following musical examples comprise what I term a “beat study.” It is by no means exhaustive (every possible variation), but simply presents related time feels. Bar 1 is the pattern on which all the others are based. The focus of this study is the development of two sound levels …


April 1983:
The Pros: On Bass Drums
Mark Craney

Certain reader questions seem to repeat themselves. Several of them involve the ins and outs of bass drums. What size? What kind of heads? How do I tune them?


December 1982:
Rock Perspectives – Playing Simple
Rock Perspectives Lead

The following material is a presentation of some simple ideas I’ve developed for use with my private students. These exercises have been quite successful with my students, so I thought I’d pass them on to you. The simplicity of this material will allow you to begin developing a fuller sound …


February March 1982:
Rock Perspectives – Three Beats
Rock Perspectives Lead

The following two examples are simple hand/foot patterns that can be put together as one.


November 1981:
Future Sounds
Rock Perspectives Lead

Rock drumming has a tendency toward being colorless at times.


October 1981:
Rock Perspectives – "Playing Rock Music Is Not Dumb"
Rock Perspectives Lead

The following material is similar to the Rock Perspectives column regarding Swiss Army Triplets (July 1981). It’s different enough to present additional technical challenges. These particular exercises can be of special benefit to the right foot (bass drum) because of the combining of accented and unaccented notes.


August September 1981:

July 1981:
Rock Perspectives – A Practical Application of Swiss Army Triplets
Rock Perspectives Lead

The Swiss Army triplet was shown to me several years ago by Keith Knudsen of The Doobie Brothers.


June 1981:
Rock Perspectives – Concept for Two Drum Sets
Rock Perspectives Lead

The year following my high school graduation, one of the big favorites was James Brown and the Famous Flames. At least once a year he came to the San Francisco Bay Area and played all the big auditoriums.


January 1978:
David Garibaldi – Funk Stylist
David Garibaldi

If any one player stands out among the masses of funk style drummers, it has to be in the person of Mr. David Garibaldi. From 1970 through ’75 David’s colorful funk stylings were brought to the attention of numerous drummers via his performance and recording with the very popular Tower …


July 1977:
Rock Perspectives: A Study In Styles
Rock Perspectives Lead

The rock drumming scene has progressed a great deal since the fifties. Those of us who played through that era remember the monotonous eighths and afterbeats, and those relentless right hand triplets.


March April 1979:
Rock Perspectives – Coordination Development
Rock Perspectives Lead

How many of you like a challenge? In this Rock Perspectives series, I’m going to challenge not only your ability to play, but your ability to think as well.


May June 1979:
Rock Perspectives – Theme And Variations
Rock Perspectives Lead

People ask me how I keep my ideas flowing and how I keep from getting stale and bored. This is a problem many drummers seem to have in common; a lack of ideas or concepts to use in their everyday playing.


August September 1979:
Rock Perspectives Rock 'N' Time
Rock Perspectives Lead

The basic role of the drummer has always been that of a timekeeper. Today’s music is no exception. I believe that basic role has become clouded in the minds of many due to the high technical level contemporary music has evolved to within the last ten years or so.


January 2010:
Basics: Master Time
Basics

When I was a college student in Madison, Wisconsin, in the ’80s, I encountered the funk drumming legend Clyde Stubblefield. At that time, Stubblefield himself was not as well known as the classic grooves he played with James Brown, and David Garibaldi and Mike Clark were the only voices I …


July 2013:
In The Pocket – Funk Drumming Training Camp
In The Pocket

In the previous two lessons (May and June 2013), we discussed the importance of groove and feel, and we covered ways to develop those concepts. This includes practicing things that are more complex than what you’ll play on the gig, gaining an intimate knowledge of and feel for every 16th-note …


May 2016:
IN THE POCKET – The Collapsing Concept in 6/8
In The Pocket

The legendary drummer and long-time member of Tower of Power, David Garibaldi, emailed me last year with variations on a lesson I wrote for Modern Drummer’s March 2015 issue.


April 2009:
April 2009 – Volume 33 • Number 4

Mitch Mitchell, J.J. Johnson, Shannon Forrest, Blake Richardson, David Garibaldi, Morgan Ågren, Abe Cunningham, Richard Stuverud, William F. Miller, Josh Garza, Virgil Donati, Rick Latham, Tucker Rule, Nir Z


November 2008:
November 2008 – Volume 32 • Number 11

Xavier Muriel, Jack DeJohnette, David Garibaldi, Brian Frasier-Moore, Martin Valihora, Sean Paddock, Frank Briggs, Greg Upchurch, Matt Barrick, Bryan Keeling, Mitch Mitchell, Matt Cameron, Derek Bloom, Jojo Mayer, Brian Chase, Bryan Hitt


September 2007:
September 2007 – Volume 31 • Number 9

Josh Freese, Jeff Porcaro, James Gadson, Vinny Appice, Morgan Rose, Vicki Randle, Ryland Steen, Artimus Pyle, Stephen Flinn, Steve Smith, Abe Laboriel Jr., David Garibaldi


May 2006:
May 2006 – Volume 30 • Number 5

Taylor Hawkins, Jason McGerr, Mike Clark, John Wackerman, Peter Erskine, Mark Craney, Jamie Oldaker, Chad Sexton, Travis Smith, Tennessee Thomas, Brad Pemberton, Vinnie Fiorello, Ginger Baker, Paul John Jr., Ian Paice, David Garibaldi


October 2005:
October 2005 – Volume 29 • Number 10

Steve Jordan, Derek Grant, Shannon Larkin, Tito Puente, Derrick Plourde, Jake Hanna, Chad Taylor, William Ellis, John Macaluso, Jeff Haynes, Dan Trapp, Kyle Woodring, Karsh Kale, Jason Costa, David Garibaldi, Morgan Rose, Shawn Pelton


March 2005:
March 2005 – Volume 29 • Number 3

Ahmir “?uestlove” Thompson, Terry Bozzio, Chuck Comeau, Earl Palmer, Billy “Thunder” Mason, David Garibaldi, Rodney Green, Chris Vrenna, Rod Morgenstein, Joel Rosenblatt, Sebastian Thomson, Billy Ward, Chuck Morris, Roger Taylor, Ronnie Vannucci, Scott Rockenfield, Brad Morgan, Terry Bozzio, Steve Smith, Ian Paice


November 2003:
November 2003 – Volume 27 • Number 11

David Garibaldi, John Bonham, Sam Loeffler, Derico Watson, Mike Cosgrove, Dustin Hengst, Pete Best, Blair Sinta, Craig “Clune” McClune, Robert Jospé, Simon Phillips, Antonio Sanchez, Derek Roddy, Brad Hargreaves


May 2003:
May 2003 – Volume 27 • Number 5

Steve Smith, Terry Bozzio, Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, Louie Bellson, Dave Weckl, John Dolmayan, Bill Bruford, Thomas Lang, Tommy Aldridge, Mike Mangini, Horacio Hernandez, David Garibaldi, Virgil Donati, Carl Palmer, Paul Doucette, Gavin Harrison, George Rebelo, Duduka Da Fonseca, Jim Keltner, Terry Santiel, Walfredo Reyes Jr.


December 2002:
December 2002 – Volume 26 • Number 12

Dennis Chambers, Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow, Pat Wilson, Terry Bozzio, Cyrus Bolooki, Philly Joe Jones, Brian Levy, Barrett Martin, Brendan Canty, Mickey Hart, John Carlarco, Chris Hesse, Bill Stewart, David Garibaldi, Russ McKinnon, Shawn Pelton


October 2001:
October 2001 – Volume 25 • Number 10

John Blackwell, Billy Higgins, Jon Wysocki, Scott Underwood, Matt Cameron, Alexis Fleisig, Damon Delapaz, Tommy Alesi, Michael Zerang, Patrick Wilson, Deen Castronovo, Bobby Hewitt, Rob Bourdon, Billy Martin, David Garibaldi, Kevin Miller


April 2001:
April 2001 – Volume 25 • Number 4

Billy Martin, Luis Conte, Tommy Stewart, Marco Minnemann, Vernel Fournier, Rob Bourdon, Jim Chapin, Scott Amendola, Mike Portnoy, Kirk Covington, Terry Silverlight, Karen Carpenter, David Garibaldi, Tony Verderosa, Ken Vogel, Peter Erskine, Osami Mizuno, Ron Spagnardi, Michael Miller, Lauren Vogel Weiss, Jeff Kersh


March 2000:
March 2000 – Volume 24 • Number 3

Taylor Hawkins, Milford Graves, Jimmy DeGrasso, Elaine Leighton, Jerome Dillon, Alan White, David Garibaldi, Steven Gillis, Ralph Peterson, Brian “Brain” Mantia, Nathaniel Townsley, Peter Erskine, Manu Katche, Milt Jackson, Bill Stewart


September 1997:
September 1997 – Volume 21 • Number 9

Horacio “el Negro” Hernandez, Jeff Hamilton, Zachary Alford, Robin Goodridge, Tony Coleman, Joey DeFrancesco, Bill Saragosa, Paul Fox, Michael Shrieve, Fred Young, Donny Brown, Carl Palmer, Stephen Perkins, David Garibaldi


November 1996:
November 1996 – Volume 20 • Number 11

Lars Ulrich, Kirk Covington, Brad Wilk, Neil Peart, Elvin Jones, Charlie Quintana, Sol Gubin, Paul Cook, Jason Cooper, Darin Pfeiffer, Bernie Dresel, Al Webster, Mike Portnoy, David Garibaldi,


October 1994:
October 1994 – Volume 18 • Number 10

In this Issue: Aaron Comess. Bob Moses, Simon Phillips, John “J.R.” Robinson, Rod Morgenstein, Marvin ” Smitty” Smith, David Garibaldi, Chad Smith, Clayton Cameron, Matt Sorum


February 1992:
February 1992 – Volume 16 • Number 2

In this Issue: Lars Ulrich, Billy Higgins, William Kennedy, Deen Castronovo, Billy Cobham, Roy Haynes, Casey Scheuerell, David Garibaldi, Tommy Aldridge, Chuck Morris


February 1991:
February 1991 – Volume 15 • Number 2

In this Issue: David Garibaldi, Fred Coury, Ralph Peterson, William Calhoun, Larrie Londin, Tony Williams, Joe Morello, Ed Shaughnessy, Anton Fig, Alex Acuna, Jonathan Mover


March 1987:
March 1987 – Volume 11 • Number 3

Graeme Edge, Joe Smyth, Mitch Mitchell, Neil Peart, S.P. Leary, Fred Below, Chris Layton, Fred Grady, David Olsen, Panama Francis, Harry Lewis, Dave Weckl, David Garibaldi


January 1986:
January 1986 – Volume 10 • Number 1

Louie Bellson, Alan Dawson, Sly Dunbar, Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Danny Gottlieb, Omar Hakim, Larrie Londin, Neil Peart, Buddy Rich, Andy Newmark, Jimmy Bralower, Jules Moss, Bill Bruford, Gil Moore, Carl Palmer, John Bonham, Karen Carpenter, Nick Ceroli, Papa Jo Jones, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Knapp, Shelly Manne, Kenny Clare, …


November 1985:
November 1985 – Volume 9 • Number 11

Bernard Purdie, Bobby Chouinard, Ed Soph, Gary Chester, Nick Ceroli, Ron Krasinski, Henry Adler, Simon Phillips, Phil Collins, David Garibaldi


May 1984:
May 1984 – Volume 8 • Number 5

Larrie Londin, Chris Frantz, Keith Copeland, David Garibaldi, Nick Ceroli, Frankie Banali, Pheeroan Ak Laff, Narada Michael Walden, Rod Morgenstein, John Densmore, Louie Bellson, Carl Palmer


May 1983:
May 1983 – Volume 7 • Number 5

Earl Palmer, Chad Wackerman, Eli Konikoff, Terri Lyne Carrington, Joe Morello, Bill Bruford, Neil Peart, David Garibaldi, Phil Ehart


December 1982:
December 1982 – Volume 6 • Number 9

Elvin Jones, John Densmore, David Garibaldi, Neil Peart, Philly Joe Jones, Rod Morgenstein, David Samuels, Collin Walcott, Bobby Daniels, Roger Hawkins, Brent Brace, Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Summer, Darrell Sweet, Michael Shrieve, Rick Marotta, Craig Krampf, Terry Bozzio, Tris Imboden, Kenney Jones, Don Baldwin, Aynsley Dunbar, John Panozzo, Stix Hooper, Bill …


April May 1980:
April May 1980 – Volume 4 • Number 2

Neil Peart, Paul Motian, Fred Begun, Terry Silverlight, Steve Ferrone, David Garibaldi


March April 1979:
March April 1979 – Volume 3 • Number 2

Phil Collins, Joe Morello, Alphonse Mouzon, David Garibaldi, Butch Miles, Lenny DiMuzio, Milk Balter


January 1978:
January 1978 – Volume 2 • Number 1

Tony Williams, Larrie Londin, David Garibaldi, Peter Magadini



Posted: June 25, 2019

Category: On the Beat
Lee Finkelstein of the Blues Brothers and Funk Filharmonik

After I subbed for the inimitable David Garibaldi with Tower of Power in 2004, it was great to be acknowledged in MD. Getting to do that was a bucket list and dream gig that changed my career forever.


Posted: September 6, 2018

Jake Slichter
Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On The Beat with Jake Slichter of Semisonic: Talks Album Reissue and Gear

After years of lying low, Semisonic has been busy of late. We’ve played a series of shows in Minneapolis, our hometown, and I’m hopeful that in the next eighteen months we’ll perform in other states and time zones.


Posted: April 13, 2017

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat with Elise Trouw: Shares New Album and Talks Influences

Greetings and salutations MD readers! I am a multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter from San Diego, but you can just call me Elise.


Posted: July 29, 2016

Category: Feature Stories, Multimedia, News, News and Events, Videos, Web Exclusive
Backbeats – Woodstick Groove 2016

This past April, Groove Music for Youth and the Emerald Queen Casino held their annual nonprofit drumming charity event, Woodstick Groove, in Tacoma, Washington. Check out our highlight reel of the event below!


Posted: May 5, 2016

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat With Danny Thompson of Alan Parsons: Landing the Gig

Hi, MD! I’m Danny Thompson, drummer for the Alan Parsons Live Project. I’m originally from the Bay Area and currently reside in Los Angeles….


Posted: April 15, 2016

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On the Beat With Educator Bruce Becker: Covering Odd Times in New Book

Greetings fellow drummers, it’s been a few years since my first MD blog and the release of my DVD Concept and Philosophies. My educational passions still continue to forge ahead….


Posted: March 31, 2016

May 2016 Issue of Modern Drummerfeaturing Andrés Forero of Hamilton
Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
May 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Andrés Forero of Hamilton

(Available digitally March 31, 2016; in print April 1, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Andrés Forero “Andrés Forero is one of the most creative and versatile players of our time, and his participation in Hamilton solidifies his stature as one of …


Posted: March 31, 2016

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
May 2016 Issue of Modern Drummer featuring Andrés Forero of Hamilton

(Available digitally March 31, 2016; in print April 1, 2016) Print Copy ○ iTunes ○ Amazon ○ GooglePlay ○ Subscribe On the Cover Andrés Forero “Andrés Forero is one of the most creative and versatile players of our time, and his participation in Hamilton solidifies his stature as one of …


Posted: November 2, 2015

Category: Feature Stories
Dom Famularo’s Teachers List

Over the course of his forty-year career traveling the globe to teach, perform, and conduct clinics, Dom Famularo has interacted with some of the finest drummers and drum instructors in the world. The following list contains many of those names, organized by country/continent. If you’re looking for top-notch drum instruction, …


Posted: February 4, 2015

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Lessons, MD Education Team
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Styles

We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for all drummers to study Latin music and other musical genres, even if they don’t intend to ever perform those styles. Here’s what they had to say….


Posted: May 29, 2014

Category: News, News and Events
Mark Schulman, Daniel Glass, and Bruce Becker Announce “Triple Threat??? LA Drum Camp

World-renowned drummers, educators, authors, and instructional DVD creators Mark Schulman (Pink/Foreigner), Daniel Glass (Brian Setzer/Bette Midler) and Bruce Becker (Mike Stern/Ron Carter) will a drum camp this July 18–20 at the Hilton Woodland Hills/Los Angeles, located at 6360 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, CA….


Posted: April 8, 2014

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Lessons, MD Education Team
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Developing Independence

We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team to share their thoughts on their favorite methods for developing independence. Here’s what they had to say.


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: July 31, 2013

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, In the Studio, Lessons, Multimedia, Videos
In the Studio: Seeing Sounds, Part 3: Funk (September 2013 issue) UPDATED

Click here to learn how to achieve a classic funk drum sound.


Posted: July 23, 2013

Category: Drummers, Issues, News, News and Events
September 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring Dino Danelli of the Rascals

See what’s in the September 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer magazine Featuring Dino Danelli of the Rascals…


Posted: July 18, 2013

Category: Feature Stories, Lessons, MD Education Team
MD Education Team Weighs In On: Tuning (UPDATED)

We asked the members of the MD Education Team to share their thoughts on how they prefer to tune their drums. Here’s what they had to say….


Posted: May 29, 2013

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Bruce Becker

Greetings, fellow drummers. Bruce Becker here. I am currently residing in Los Angeles and have been recording and gigging with my brother David for thirty years. I am very involved in teaching as well….


Posted: April 26, 2013

Category: Feature Stories, Lists
25 Timeless Drum Books

What makes a great drum book? There’s no single answer, as different books have been written to address a wide variety of styles and techniques. But judging by a recent poll in which Modern Drummer readers were asked to name their favorite volumes, a few characteristics stand out….


Posted: May 31, 2012

Category: Drummers, Lessons, MD Education Team
MD Education Team Weighs In On: Teaching Feel

We asked the MD Education Team if feel could be taught. See what they had to say….


Posted: February 29, 2012

Category: Book Review, DVD/Video Reviews, Drummers, Reviews
Basic Hand Technique
As Taught to Chuck Silverman by Richard Wilson and Murray Spivak

A new multimedia package distills the wisdom of legendary teachers Richard Wilson and Murray Spivak into practical instruction.


Posted: September 29, 2011

Category: Book Review, DVD/Video Reviews, Drummers, Reviews
Groove Alchemy by Stanton Moore

Stanton Moore reveals a concise chronological history of the rhythmic foundations and evolution of funky drumming.


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: July 1, 2011

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Louis Raphael of Stiletto Ghetto

What up, fellow Modern Drummers! I first want to thank MD for the opportunity to write this. I have been a long-time fan of the mag, and this is truly an honor for me. My name is Louis Raphael and I am the drummer for Stiletto Ghetto. We’re a high-energy …


Posted: November 29, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Sarab Singh of Harper Blynn

Greetings, fellow MD readers! My name is Sarab Singh, and this is my first-ever blog post for MD. I am truly honored and grateful to be doing this! A bit about myself: I live in Brooklyn, New York, got my music degree from the University of Miami, and am a …


Posted: August 25, 2010

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Steve Jordan: Web Exclusive

If you ask Steve Jordan who his favorite drummer is, be prepared to get hit with a never-ending list of influences, ranging from the obvious—like jazz greats Kenny Clarke and Philly Joe Jones and funk innovators David Garibaldi and Stephen Ferrone—to the more obscure, like Motown/disco session drummer Andrew Smith, …


Posted: August 16, 2010

Category: Drummers, The Greats
David Garibaldi: Perpetually Hip With Tower Of Power

In the ’70s, David Garibaldi’s drumming with Tower Of Power was a revelation. Not only did he lay down some of the baddest beats ever played, the master drummer expanded the vocabulary of the instrument. Give a listen to some of those classic grooves, like “Squib Cakes,??? “What Is Hip?,??? …


Posted: August 12, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Kevin Figueiredo of Extreme

Hey, everyone, my name in Kevin Figueiredo, and I am the drummer for Extreme. I’ve been playing drums professionally for the past fifteen years, and my main influences include John Henry Bonham, David Garibaldi, Dennis Chambers, and Dave Grohl, among many others. I never went to music school, but I’ve …


Posted: June 22, 2010

Category: Drummers, Multimedia, Videos
The Funky Beat of David Garibaldi (Updated)

In this video David Garibaldi—along with bassist Rocco Prestia, sax player Lenny Pickett, and guitarist Jeff Tamelier—showcases the famous Tower Of Power songs “Oakland Stroke??? and “What Is Hip.??? For more, check out “The Oakland Stroke 2.0??? article in the August issue of Modern Drummer…


Posted: May 26, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Ben Shanbrom of Bushwhack

Greetings, Modern Drummer faithful! My name is Ben Shanbrom, and I play drums and (yikes!) sing in the progressive alt-metal band Bushwhack. I started annihilating pots and pans at the ripe age of two and proved too bad-ass for pre-school when I was diagnosed by the idiot teachers there as …


Posted: April 1, 2010

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Drummer/Author Chris Peacock

Hey, Modern Drummer heads! My name is Chris Peacock and I’m addicted to drums. I’ve been playing for twenty-years and I started at the age of twelve. I’ve studied with Ralph Humphrey, Joe Porcaro, and Mike Shapiro and have worked in all sorts of musical situations including rock, pop, jazz, …


Posted: November 24, 2009

Category: Feature Stories
On Tour And On Stage: 9 Lives (+9, +9 More)

On Tour And On Stage: 9 Lives (+9, +9 More). MD’s editors just can’t keep a list of their favorite albums short–even in service of a can’t-resist pun. Twenty-seven live albums you gotta have.


Posted: November 24, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
The Four Tops’ Drew Schultz

I’m a drummer and percussionist from Cleveland, Ohio, and I’ve been touring with my favorite group, the Four Tops…


Posted: November 24, 2009

Drew Schultz of The Four Tops : Modern Drummer
Category: Drummers, On the Beat
The Four Tops' Drew Schultz

I’m a drummer and percussionist from Cleveland, Ohio, and I’ve been touring with my favorite group, the Four Tops…


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: July 15, 2008

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Adam Deitch

When MD spoke to Adam Deitch about Lettuce’s new LP, Rage!, and other aspects of his funky career, we had so much good stuff left over that we now offer this exclusive addendum to the August feature story. (continue reading)


Posted: December 13, 2007

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Brian Kelley

It can be a difficult task putting together a top-ten list, as most musicians have extraordinarily large record collections. But I feel that every musician has a top-ten list, and it can define who you are as a musician….


Posted: October 19, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, The Greats
Max Roach

Simply put, Max Roach brought jazz drumming into the modern age. Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, and Bud Powell revolutionized jazz with new melodies and concepts; Max matched these musical geniuses with startling rhythms and reactive, action-packed drumming that still influences drummers on a profound level today….


Posted: February 1, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Curt Bisquera

Curt Bisquera has been a first-call studio drummer since 1991, appearing on recordings or playing gigs with Mick Jagger, Tom Petty, Celine Dion, Morris Day, Ronan Keating, The Dixie Chicks, Seal, Bonnie Raitt, The Spice Girls, Boz Scaggs, Johnny Cash, Dave Koz, Ricky Martin, and Elton John. Here Curt talks …


Posted: September 24, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
David Garibaldi

Tower Of Power made David Garibaldi a household name among drummers back in the ’70s. But David insists he had no intentions of going back to his old band – until fate intervened….


Posted: July 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
David Northrup

Growing up on a mix of R&B, pop, rock, and country, David Northrup, originally from Syracuse New York, moved south in the early ’90s playing sessions and gigging the Florida club scene. One of those gigs led him to meeting and working with ace session guitarist Les Dudek…


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 19, 2005

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Billy Ashbaugh

‘N Sync, a pop band backed by live musicians, have gained a reputation of spectacle and not-to-be-missed precision. MD Online recently caught up with rising drum star Billy Ashbaugh, the man who keeps it all together….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
Mike Lowry of Lake Trout

After nine years of non-stop touring, Baltimore’s Lake Trout is regarded as one of the top jam bands in the country….


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Adam Deitch with John Scofield

“He’s a bad boy, that’s for sure,” says guitar star John Scofield of his talented young sideman Adam Deitch. On the Sco gig, Deitch comes across like a composite of two great drummers that the guitarist has worked with before’the original funky drummer himself, Clyde Stubblefield, and highly regarded jazz …



Posted: March 23, 2023

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Matt Chamberlain

John’s guest is legendary session drummer, Matt Chamberlain! Matt’s recording credits reads like a ‘who’s who’ of recording artists. He was voted #1 Studio Drummer in the Modern Drummer Readers Poll in 2016, 2019, and 2021. John and Matt do a deep dive into Matt’s long and stellar career, going …


Posted: January 5, 2023

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Holiday Special

A special Holiday episode of “Live From My Drum Room” with John’s old friends dropping by to spread some Holiday Cheer! Steve Gadd, David Garibaldi, Jack Bruno, Eddie Tuduri, Steve Smith, Todd Sucherman, Jeff Hamilton, Gregg Bissonette, Anton Fig, Joe Franco, Dave Mattacks, Rob Wallis and Robyn Flans all stopped …


Posted: May 12, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 70: John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With David Garibaldi

John’s guest is the legendary David Garibaldi! David and John discussed his incredible career with Tower of Power, and his concept for creating some of the most iconic and timeless drum beats in history, including his signature groove for TOP’s timeless classic, “What Is Hip.” David talks about his influences …


Posted: August 9, 2019

Category: Mike and Mike Podcast, Multimedia, Podcasts
MD Podcast Episode 204: Billie Eilish's Andrew Marshall, "Soul Vaccination," Canopus Snares, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss September 2019 featured artist Andrew Marshall, who is currently touring with alt-pop artist Billie Eilish.