Passes

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.

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Dick DiCenso Passes

We at Modern Drummer were saddened to hear of the passing of Dick DiCenso, the father of renowned drummer Dave DiCenso and the founder of Dick DiCenso’s Drum Shop, which was founded in 1982 and for twenty-three years served the…

Modern Drummer
May 11, 2016

Remo Inc. Founder Remo Belli Passes

  The staff of Modern Drummer magazine is extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Remo Belli, founder of the world-renowned drumhead and percussion manufacturer that bares his name. We’ll make more information available as soon as it becomes…

Modern Drummer
Apr 26, 2016

’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…

Modern Drummer
Apr 8, 2016

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 &…

Modern Drummer
Jul 31, 2014

Steve Weiss: 1943-2014

The entire percussion community suffered a loss this past April 21, when Steve Weiss, founder of the Pennsylvania-based percussion retail business that bore his name, lost his long battle with prostate cancer. In high school Weiss studied with Philadelphia Orchestra…

Modern Drummer
May 5, 2014
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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…

Modern Drummer
Mar 20, 2014

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…

Modern Drummer
Mar 17, 2014

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…

Modern Drummer
Dec 27, 2013

Renowned Fusion Drummer Ronald Shannon Jackson Passes

Ronald Shannon Jackson died at his home in Fort Worth, Texas, this past October 19. Jackson was a renowned drummer, composer, and bandleader who supported some of the giants of avant-garde jazz, including Cecil Taylor, Ornette Coleman, and Albert Ayler.…

Modern Drummer
Oct 21, 2013

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…

Modern Drummer
Sep 27, 2013

Drummer Joseph M. LaCaze Passes

Joseph M. LaCaze, New Orleans native and drummer for the band EyeHateGod, Mystick Krewe of Clearlight, and Outlaw Order, and who was known for performing ceremonial voodoo drumming in numerous solo experimental electronics projects, passed away on August 23 in…

Modern Drummer
Aug 28, 2013

Famed Afro-Caribbean Drummer Steve Berrios Passes

Steve Berrios in 1994, standing at the corner of Broadway and 52nd Street in New York City, where the original Birdland club once stood   Modern Drummer is sad to announce that Steve Berrios died this past week at the…

Modern Drummer
Jul 29, 2013
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Alan Myers of Devo Passes

Alan Myers, the drummer with iconic new wave band Devo during the group’s peak period, died this week following a battle with cancer. Myers appeared on Devo’s first six albums, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, Duty…

Modern Drummer
Jun 26, 2013

Jefferson Airplane/Starship Drummer Joey Covington Dies

Joey Covington, who was a member of the legendary West Coast band Jefferson Airplane, died in a car crash this past Tuesday. He was sixty-seven years old. Covington became a professional drummer as a young teenager, taking gigs in, among…

Modern Drummer
Jun 6, 2013
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