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Joe Franco

Joe Franco






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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.
February 2023:
Double Bass Drumming Accented Rolls and Accented Patterns with Triplets

As we continue to include sections from Joe Franco’s book Double Bass Drumming, this month Joe teaches us about playing accented rolls and accent patterns over a double bass drum roll that uses his Single Stroke System. This is a fantastic way to expand your double bass vocabulary, and is …


January 2023:
Joe Franco Double Bass Drumming, Double Bass Fills

In this part of Joe Franco’s book Double Bass Drumming patterns are broken up systematically between both hands and both feet. These patterns can be used as one bar fills, or they can be repeated or combined with each other to form extended fills and solos. This month we will …


December 2022:
Mixed Sticking Patterns over the Double Bass Roll

This month we will continue with another excerpt from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming. This month Modern Drummer is including Joe’s explanation of soloing over the double bass roll by playing mixed stickings with the hands. The double bass roll is written at the bottom of each group …


November 2022:
Double Bass Drumming Soloing Over the Double Bass Roll

This month we will continue with another excerpt from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming. This month Modern Drummer is focusing on Joe’s section on soloing over the double bass roll using accented rolls and accent patterns with the hands. These excersises and patterns are a fantastic way to …


October 2022:
Double Bass Drumming

This month we will continue with more fills from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming. This month Modern Drummer is including Joe’s explanation of eighth note triplet double bass fills using his Single Stroke System, and we are including several of Joe’s fantastic sounding double bass fills from the …


September 2022:
Joe Franco Double Bass Drum Renaissance Man

This year is the 40th Anniversary of one of the best drum books ever written, Joe Franco’s Double Bass Drumming. In 1964 Colin Bailey published Bass Drum Control. That was the first book that dealt with the subject of playing the bass drum, bass drum control, and speed. It is …


September 2022:
Double Bass Drumming

This month we will continue with a section from Joe Franco’s groundbreaking book, Double Bass Drumming. This month Modern Drummer are including Joe’s explanation of double bass fills using his Single Stroke System, and include several of Joe’s fantastic sounding double bass fills from the book. Double Bass Fills Double …


August 2022:
Double Bass Drumming

This month Modern Drummer will continue our re-introduction of Joe Franco’s classic book Double Bass Drumming, and his concept called the Single Stroke System. Here is Joe’s chapter on Eighth Note Triplet Double Bass Patterns. There are many more patterns and beats included in this outstanding book. Eighth Note Triplet …


July 2022:
Double Bass Drumming

Continuing from last month’s re-introduction of Joe Franco’s classic book Double Bass Drumming, and his concept called the Single Stroke System. Here is Joe’s chapter on Sixteenth Note Double Bass Patterns. There are many more patterns and beats included in the book. Here are the different one beat patterns that …


June 2022:
Double Bass Drumming

Today, many drummers are playing complex rhythms with their feet that some drummers struggle to play with their hands. The speed of the extreme double bass drumming heard in modern (speed, black, and death) metal bands is astounding. Many younger drummers want to start out by playing along to this …


August 1986:
Joe Franco — Living The Fantasy
Joey Franco

At a recent concert held at the Ritz the prestigious New York club, a crowd of enthusiastic fans was on hand to check out Atlantic recording artist Fiona. The band performed an exciting set of powerful hard rock. Near the end of the set, the spotlight went to the drummer, …


December 1986:
December 1986 – Volume 10 • Number 12

Simon Phillips, Dave Holland, Remo Belli, Joe Franco, Cozy Powell, James Stroud, Graham Lear, Frank Parker, Nick Vincent, Doug Zagorski, Richie Morales, Neil Peart


August 1986:
August 1986 – Volume 10 • Number 8

In this Issue: Steve Smith, Joe Franco, NYC Contractors, RAS Michael, & Bill Gibson


March 1986:
March 1986 – Volume 10 • Number 3

Jerry Marotta, Buddy Williams, Manny Elias, Marvin Smith, Chris Brady, Steve Ferrone, Simon Phillips, Terry Bozzio, Joe Franco, Bernard Purdie


February 1985:
February 1985 – Volume 9 • Number 2

Mel Lewis, Mark Brzezicki, Nigel Olsson, George Marsh, Steve Gadd, Mick Avory, Aynsley Dunbar, Jim Keltner, Joe Franco, Danny Seraphine, Steve Smith


October November 1980:
October November 1980 – Volume 4 • Number 5

Louie Bellson, Mick Fleetwood, Roy Hanes, Henry Adler, Joe Franco



Posted: March 13, 2018

Ray LeVier
Category: Drummers, On the Beat
On The Beat with Ray LeVier: Talks Projects and New Solo Record

Hey Modern Drummer readers, what’s up? My name is Ray LeVier and I’m a touring drummer, composer, and studio owner from West Nyack, NY. I would like to start off by saying I’ve been a MD reader ever since I first picked up a pair of sticks.


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: May 15, 2014

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
Bonzo Bash Hits the East Coast

Brian Tichy brings Bonzo Bash back to Bergen PAC in New Jersey on May 31 to celebrate the legendary drumming of Led Zeppelin’s John Bonham….


Posted: May 4, 2013

Category: Clinics and Events, News, News and Events
Bonzo Birthday Bash
NY/NJ East Coast Invasion

Brian Thomas Tichy and his partner Joe Sutton have decided to bring the Bonzo Bash/John Bonham celebration to New York and New Jersey for three shows. The shows, co-sponsored by Modern Drummer, have been booked for May 30, May 31, and June 1 to pay tribute to John Henry Bonham …


Posted: October 31, 2011

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Freddie Gruber

Right up until his passing on October 11, Freddie Gruber was a source of deep and important knowledge for many top drummers.


Posted: July 24, 2009

Category: Drummers, On the Beat
Ray LeVier

It’s been a busy year, creating a new living space, surgery, touring, and completing my debut CD, Ray’s Way…


Posted: December 15, 2007

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories
Allison Miller: Freedom Jazz-Folk-Pop-Rock Dance

Since moving to New York in 1996, Allison Miller has thrived by refusing to acknowledge musical borders. Alli, as she likes to be called, has allowed her sincere love of pop and rock music to ground her jazz playing–and her passion for jazz to elevate her pop prowess….


Posted: August 1, 2006

Category: Feature Stories, News, News and Events
Rock N Roll Fantasy Camp 2006

I’ll start by saying, What an amazing five days I recently had—Rock ‘N’ Roll Fantasy Camp promoter David Fishof is a genius! This past August 13–17, I was invited to the sixth Camp in New York City; my second as a guest and my first as a Battle Of The …


Posted: May 12, 2004

Category: Drummers, Feature Stories, Update
John Macaluso

When your first major tour includes a make-believe club date performing for surrealist director David Lynch and actor Nicolas Cage, you know your career has taken an unorthodox turn….



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: March 17, 2022

Category: The Modern Drummer Podcast
Episode 62: John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Joe Franco

John DeChristopher Live From My Drum Room With Joe Franco! talked about Joe’s long and successful career including The Good Rats, Chilliwack, Twisted Sister, Widowmaker, Jack Bruce and creating his home studio, “Beat Street.” they also discussed his legendary book, “Double Bass Drumming,” the definitive book for double bass drum playing. Audio Video