
Karen Carpenter

Karen Carpenter’s intuitive choice of instruments was drums, but she had to break down a few invisible walls, crack a few glass ceilings, and crash a few cymbals along the way. However, by the height of her career with her brother Richard in the mid-1970s, millions of people loved drummer/singer …

On February 3rd, Karen Carpenter died of a massive cardiac arrest.

Liberty DeVitto’s personality reflects a man who is seemingly unaffected by his tremendous success.

One of the most iconic vocalists in pop history was also a drummer—and a damned good one. So why do we still need reminding?

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

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, …
Posted: May 2, 2016
Purple’s Hanna Brewer on Bodacious
Texas trio Purple has released its second album, Bodacious, which makes for another great showcase for Hanna Brewer’s many talents. Modern Drummer Online asked Brewer about the making of album, and about her background as a singing drummer….
Posted: May 11, 2015
Modern Drummer Education Team Weighs In On: Learning Other Instruments
We asked the members of the Modern Drummer Education Team if they felt that it’s important for drummers to learn to play other instruments (piano, bass, guitar, etc.), or should they focus on honing their craft at the kit exclusively? Here’s what they had to say….
Posted: November 1, 2013
December 2013 Issue of Modern Drummer Featuring George “Spanky” McCurdy
(on newsstands November 5, 2013) On the Cover George “Spanky” McCurdy “I’m always aware of what the fans need and what the artist is trying to do. If I’m coming in, it’s time to go higher, time to upgrade.” Lady Gaga’s drummer doesn’t mince words—but why be shy when you’ve …
Posted: September 21, 2012
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: May 29, 2012
Karen Carpenter Drum Solo (Video)
This is a sequence from the Carpenters’ 1976 television special. Karen, who possessed one of the greatest voices in pop history, as evidenced in hits like “We’ve Only Just Begun,” “For All We Know,” and “Superstar,” was a drummer since high school, and even played on early Carpenters recordings. (continue …
Posted: March 19, 2012
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: August 1, 2011
Jess Bowen of the Summer Set
My name is Jess Bowen, and this is my second blog for MD. If this is your first time reading, here’s a basic run-through of my band and myself…
Posted: May 15, 2009

Petrel's Rebekah Petrel
I’m twenty years old and a singer/songwriter/musician and drummer/keyboard player for Petrel, a rock/pop band my sisters Jessica and Destiny…
Posted: May 15, 2009
Petrel’s Rebekah Petrel
I’m twenty years old and a singer/songwriter/musician and drummer/keyboard player for Petrel, a rock/pop band my sisters Jessica and Destiny…
Posted: January 10, 2008

Antigone Rising's Dena Tauriello
Hi, MD readers. These days I do some session work and teaching, but my main gig is with the all-female NYC—based rock band Antigone Rising. I’ve been with them for over nine years, and it’s been an amazing journey. During this time we’ve gone from indie band, to major-label act, …
Posted: January 10, 2008
Antigone Rising’s Dena Tauriello
Hi, MD readers. These days I do some session work and teaching, but my main gig is with the all-female NYC—based rock band Antigone Rising. I’ve been with them for over nine years, and it’s been an amazing journey. During this time we’ve gone from indie band, to major-label act, …
Posted: July 19, 2005
An Interview with Hal Blaine
Paving the way for some of the great studio musicians of our time, like Jim Gordon, Jim Keltner, Jeff Porcaro, and John JR Robinson, were Earl Palmer and Hal Blaine. MD recently sat down with the jovial drummer to walk a bit down memory lane.