Steely Dan

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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On The Beat with Leroy Clouden: Spreading the Music

Hey MD readers, this is Leroy Clouden! I’ve been fortunate to play drums and record with Steely Dan, B52s, Blind Boys of Alabama, Soul Stirrers, Lenny Pickett, and many more during my career. I also teach at The Collective in…

Modern Drummer
Aug 28, 2018

Episode 125: Sonny Emory, Placing the Backbeat in Odd Times, Beier Snares, and More

In this episode, Mike and Mike discuss legendary pop/R&B drummer Sonny Emory (Earth Wind & Fire, Bette Midler, Steely Dan, etc.). The education segment focuses on different ways to place the backbeat in 3/4 and other odd time signatures. Up…

Modern Drummer
Jan 12, 2018

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

Steely Dan Rhythm Section Clinic With Shannon Forrest

On Thursday, August 16th, Shannon Forrest will be joining the Steely Dan rhythm section (Jon Herington on guitar, Freddie Washington on bass and Jim Beard on keys) for a clinic in Sterling Heights, Michigan. All four have been touring across…

Modern Drummer
Aug 15, 2012

Back Through the Stack: Harvey Mason

“I never really thought of being a professional musician,” says Harvey Mason. “Music is something I did for fun and enjoyment, and coming from a poor family, there was no way I was going to do anything that wouldn’t make…

Modern Drummer
Sep 22, 2011
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Peter Erskine: Taste, Skill, And Artistic Ambition

Peter Erskine, one of the most articulate, enduringly popular drummers of the past few decades, has played drums since he was four, graduated from the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and studied under famed percussion instructor George Gaber at Indiana…

Modern Drummer
Jul 20, 2010

The Greats: Jeff Porcaro

Jeff Porcaro was born on April 1, 1954, in Hartford, Connecticut. After moving to California with his family, he took an interest in drumming at an early age and began studying with his dad, Joe, who remains a well-known studio…

Modern Drummer
Mar 31, 2010

Bernard Purdie: Funky Hit Maker For The Ages

Bernard “Pretty” Purdie was born on June 11, 1939 in Elkton, Maryland, the eleventh of fifteen children. Bernard took an interest in rhythm at a very young age, and by the time he was fourteen he’d purchased his first real…

Modern Drummer
Mar 17, 2010

The Greats: Jim Keltner

Jim Keltner is inarguably a true studio drum god. Highly regarded for his session work on solo recordings by three of the Beatles, Jim could also be considered a close life-long friend of George Harrison, John Lennon, and Ringo Starr.…

Modern Drummer
Mar 8, 2010

A Few Minutes With Rick Marotta

By Billy Amendola   Rick Marotta is no stranger to MD readers. And he’s certainly familiar to anyone who’s had the pleasure to see him play or crack jokes while hosting Yamaha’s Groove All Star show. A rock-solid session musician…

Modern Drummer
Mar 1, 2006

Keith Carlock: More Than Time For Sting

Making his Big Apple splash working with The Blues Brothers and Wayne Krantz, Mississippi-born Keith Carlock went on to record and tour with Steely Dan. A tremendous groove player who can also flatten your ears with his dazzling all-over-the-kit prowess,…

Modern Drummer
May 12, 2004

Jeff Porcaro: A Tribute

Ten years after his passing, the drumming and music community still feels the loss of the studio giant. I consider myself among the fortunate people whose life Jeff Porcaro touched - and there are a lot of us. If Jeff…

Modern Drummer
May 12, 2004
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