obituary
Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.
Jim Gordon, Wrecking Crew Drummer, Dead At 77
Jim Gordon (photo by Keith Morris / Redferns) Drummer and songwriter James Beck Gordon, known as Jim Gordon, has died at the age of 77. Gordon's death was confirmed today (March 15th) by a representative. A skilled drummer and…
Nashville Studio Great Tommy Wells Passes
We were saddened to hear of the passing of Nashville studio great Tommy Wells this week. In honor of Tommy, we’re presenting a portion of his first Modern Drummer feature, from August 1990. “As a session player you take…
Ed Cassidy of Spirit Passes Away at 89
Ed Cassidy, a founding member of the Los Angeles–based rock group Spirit, passed away on December 6 at age eighty-nine, in San Jose, California. Cassidy was born on May 4, 1923, and was around two decades older than his Spirit…
Nashville Percussionist Farrell Morris Dead at Seventy-Four
Nashville percussionist Richard Farrell Morris died on Thursday, October 4, 2012, after a long battle with lung cancer. He was seventy-four. Farrell Morris, born June 17, 1938 in Waxahachie, TX, was a former member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and…
Jazz Great Paul Motian Passes
Paul Motian, who was among the most well-regarded musicians of the post-bop era, passed away today (November 22) at the age of eighty. Motian was particularly known as a fine trio drummer—a reputation he gained largely from his work with…
