passed
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.
’70s-Era David Bowie Drummer Dennis Davis Passes
Longtime David Bowie drummer Dennis Davis passed away yesterday. Davis appeared on a string of Bowie studio albums in the ’70s, beginning with Young Americans in 1975 and ending with 1980’s Scary Monsters. The run of recordings, which also includes…
Vic Firth: 1930 to 2015
Vic Firth Modern Drummer was saddened to hear of the passing of Vic Firth. The following profile on the performing and manufacturing giant, written by Lauren Vogel Weiss, first appeared in the July 2013 issue of Drum Business magazine. …
Lennie DiMuzio Passes
DiMuzio (right) with Armand Zildjian Modern Drummer is saddened to learn of the passing of Lennie DiMuzio, longtime artist relations manager for the Avedis Zildjian company. Later in life DiMuzio worked for Sabian Ltd., which, on its Facebook page, described…
Broadway Drummer Dave Ratajczak Remembered
In October of 2014, the drumming community lost an esteemed member, veteran Broadway drummer Dave Ratajczak, whose credits included the shows City of Angels, Sweet Charity, Titanic, The Music Man, and Mary Poppins. Ratajczak, who was a graduate of the…
Idris Muhammad Dies at Age 74
The funk and jazz drummer Idris Muhammad, who hailed from New Orleans and spent his recent years playing with pianist Ahmad Jamal, passed away this week at age seventy-four. Muhammad’s friend Dan Williams, who's worked with the New Orleans Jazz &…
Chuck Silverman Memorial at Musicians Institute May 14, 2014
Latin-drumming ambassador, famed educator, and longtime Modern Drummer contributor Chuck Silverman passed away on May 1, 2014. Friends, fans, and colleagues of Chuck’s are invited to celebrate his life this Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at the Musicians Institute concert hall…
Session Percussionist Joe Lala Passes
Joe Lala, a busy session percussionist credited with having played on dozens of gold and platinum records, died on March 18 after a battle with cancer. Lala was born on November 3, 1947, in Florida, where he co-founded the band…
Stooges Drummer Scott Asheton Passes
By Robert Matheu Modern Drummer learned of the death this past weekend of Scott Asheton, drummer with the seminal Ann Arbor, Michigan, band the Stooges; his passing was noted in several media reports and on Stooges singer Iggy Pop’s Facebook…
Ricky Lawson Passes
Ricky Lawson, the veteran drummer who worked with Michael Jackson, Steely Dan, the Yellowjackets, Phil Collins, Quincy Jones, and Earth, Wind & Fire, among other top artists, has passed away. Look for a full tribute to Ricky in an upcoming…
Precision Drum Company Founder George Folchi Passes
George Folchi Sr., founder of the Precision Drum Company, passed away on March 5 at the age of eighty-five. Folchi started Precision Drum Company in 1961. As a young drummer, Folchi desired to recover his own drums. After some research,…
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…
In Memoriam: Willie “Big Eyes??? Smith
Willie “Big Eyes” Smith, one of the great practitioners of a true American art form, was lost to blues fans around the world when he passed on September 16, 2011. The harmonica player, drummer, singer, and composer, who gained international…
