October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin II was released on October 22, 1969. Although initially panned by some critics, the album became the band’s first number-one album.

The 5/4 Half-Time Shuffle

For those of you who’ve never heard the coveted half-time shuffle, which is also commonly referred to as the Purdie shuffle,...

Bruce Rowland

Bruce Rowland racked up numerous recording and touring credits through his extensive work in the pop, folk, blues-rock, and rock worlds.

Louson Drums

The CajonTab is a small, flat, lightweight cajon you wear on a strap.

Talking About Our Generations

A teaser of the momentous drumming from 1969 that our October issue explores—and a chat with the Flaming Lips' Steven Drozd about some of his favorite music from the era.

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor on the Band’s Heavenly “Stairway to Nick John”

The drummer recently talked to MD to discuss the band’s heartfelt tribute to their longtime friend and manager.

New Gear From 64 Audio, LP, Schagerl Drums, Tama, and More!

New Product Releases from 64 Audio, LP, Schagerl Drums, Tama, Air Throne, and Canopus

Inverted Paradiddle-Diddles

Rudiments can essentially be described as groupings of single and double strokes in different configurations and rhythms.

JD Beck

Mentored by Dallas-area drummers like Robert “Sput” Searight, Mike Mitchell, and Cleon Edwards, JD Beck has crafted a style of crooked beats and patterns mixed with over-the-barline fluidity.

Theme for an “Imaginary” Drummer

To most, Corky Laing’s drumming is synonymous with the great heavy-rock band Mountain, and vice versa.

Tony Williams at a Jazz Crossroads

During his years with Miles Davis, beginning in 1963 at age seventeen, Tony Williams radically changed jazz drumming.

Sam Durkes on Ezra Furman’s Twelve Nudes

Throughout the album drummer Sam Durkes drives Ezra Furman’s distorted up-tempo fervor with a surprising avoidance of cymbals.

Sheridan Riley with Alvvays

For nearly two decades, drummer Sheridan Riley has worked with the intention to lead a life fulfilled as a proactive musician.

Remembering Hal Blaine

He helped pave the way for every great studio musician who came out of L.A., and his influence extends to this very day.

The Bailey Method

The Bailey Method is longtime touring and session drummer Dan Bailey’s first opus in the world of online education.

October 2019 Issue – Volume 43 • Number 10

1969: The Shock of the New

As artists developed increasingly ambitious musical concepts, the challenges for instrument designers, engineers, composers, and instrumentalists increased as well.

Rhythm! Discovery Center Ten-Year Anniversary

The Rhythm! Discovery Center, a gem of the drum and percussion world.

Advanced Techniques for Jazz Soloing

For four years I’d been studying intensely with Dom Famularo, who suddenly said during one of my lessons, “Steph, you’re now ready for Jim.”

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters’ John Blease: Fearless with Intention

He’s played with likes of Seal, Ben Folds, the BBC Big Band, Sheryl Crow, and Ellie Goulding. But landing a gig with rock ’n’ roll legend Robert Plant nearly says it all.