Well, you've thrown down the gauntlet (or wallet, as it were) and caught me home on a night with a toothache, so this will be a great little short project to take my mind off it.

This is a very short list of my favorite drummers. I'm sure right after you post this, I'll think of 20 more, you know that syndrome. Anyway, I'm certainly not forgetting the obvious ones like Clyde Stubblefield, Jabo Starks, Benny Benjamin, Al Jackson, Ringo, all the guys that inspired me when I was a fledgling drummer in the early to mid 60's. Fortunately I switched to guitar and bass early on which probably explains the lack of hemmorhoids, and the fact that I can still lift small objects without throwing out my back.

These are in no particular order, just appeal to me personally for various reasons:

Bernard Purdie - Well, he's the first guy I ever heard do that high hat lick that all drummers know; you know, the one in the breakdown in "Rock Steady" by Aretha. Check out King Curtis' version of "Memphis Soul Stew' from his Live at the Fillmore album from the 70's. Bernard will expand on this high hat thing in a manner that will have you picking your jaw up off the floor.

Bernard Purdie on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9jXALaMy4o

James Gadson - Well, I'm prejudiced, because I'm fortunate enough to work with James on a regular basis. This guy is the soul of funk and groove. Sometimes on stage I'll hear that 16th note high hat thing that all drummers do with two hands and see James doing it with just his right hand, and he can do it all night. His mambo grooves are out of this world, and he sings his ass off too, need I say more?

James Gadson on Youtube 1: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=3WIdmZuogGA
James Gadson on Youtube 2: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=g3hBYTkI-sE
James Gadson on Youtube 3: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=1CRsxDCjFjQ&feature=related


Gary Husband - Maybe my favorite Rock drummer although I think he's known as more of a fusion player in England. The ultimate combo of power and groove, and forget about his piano playing, off the hook. On this great Level 42 clip, Mark King is up to his old tricks, singing his ass off while playing a funky, complex bass part, and chewing gum!

Gary Husband on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=7X2K3zNypTk&feature=related


Elvin Jones - I know there are too many jazz legends to mention, but this guy is still my favorite, his swing and ability to superimpose time signatures are second to none. You want 6/8? Check out his version of Chick Corea's "La Fiesta." Holy Shit!

Elvin Jones on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=U4uvN0tTlvo


Mike Clark - wicked, effortless funk, none better. He sat in with a band I was with in Kansas City back in about '75 when he was playing with The Headhunters. We played "The Clean Up Woman" by Betty Wright and "Parana" by Airto. He was just unbelievable.

Mike Clark on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=AFcpBB4Yy_M


"Well come on everybody take a trip with me, down the Mississippi down to New Orleans . . ."

Willie Green III - Ambidextrous Second line master with added power and funk. He subbed for our drummer on several gigs in New Orleans with The Bonedaddys and I could feel the breeze coming off his drums when I stood in front of him.

Willie Green on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=M5nNJWMw19k&feature=related


Russell Batiste - the Batiste family has a long tradition in N.O. and Russell is as funky as they come, check him out with The Funky Meters.

Russell Batiste on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=_FBnQvd_xzs


Zig Modeleste - If you've played "Sissy Strut" or "Hey Pocky Way" you know all about this guy, 'nuff said. I was lucky enough to play a gig with him when I subbed for The Nervis Brothers bass player. I was surprised by the amount of pop he got with his light touch.

Ziggy Modeleste on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=KNzilDmPpCg

And while you're at it, check out this All New Orleans music 24/7 webcast: great history of New Orleans drummers including early innovators James Black, Earl Palmer, and Smokey Johnson:

Home Of The Groove internet radio: http://www. hotg. org/

Exiting the Crescent City:

Lenny White - What can you say about this guy? One of those ambidextrous drummers who can play the most difficult passages effortlessly, with feel. See what I'm talking about with this Chick Corea piece. I'd be lucky to keep a straight 4/4 going on the kick drum alone without a train wreck.

Lenny White on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=uxg1AoEz9p4&feature=related


The Origins of Funk. I'm talking about Africa of course and here's three of the baddest ever:

Tony Allen - The originator of "Afro Beat" from Nigeria - this is the guy who propelled Fela into the limelight with his unmistakable grooves. His funky, almost rudimental style coupled with a light touch and mind boggling independence is unmatched. I played some of his stuff for Gadson. His comment? "That's impossible!"

Tony Allen on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=175PZDh4OkM&feature=related


Paco Sery - another lefty who sets up right handed. Funk, power, independence, innovation - check his killer feel on this very tricky groove with Sixun, also featuring one of the greatest electric bassists of all time in my opinion, Michel Alibo.

Paco Sery on Youtube:
http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=1F9ZiTONWKc&feature=related

Claude Vamur - the drummer on the original "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango, has been Kassav's resident drummer for years. No one propels a big band or sets up a horn section better with the possible exception of Gary Husband or Dave Garibaldi. The Bonedaddys opened for them at the Hollywood Palladium and they used our kit. When Marv got his drums back, they all had an indentation about the size of a dime in middle of each drum head!

Claude Vamur on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=pGh_k0Y99Oo&feature=relate


Carlton Barrett - this guy put Reggae drums on the map, although I believe Carlton ("Santa") Davis may have been first on the radio scene with Desmond Decker and Jimmy Cliff. His signature brrrrrrrraap! on the tuned up timbale-like snare became the default Reggae fill for years, what a feel!

Carlton Barrett on Youtube:
http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=YNmrD2cwqCA&feature=related

Steve "Duck" McClane - from the incredible and now defunct Kansas City Reggae band, "The Blue Riddim Band," I went to high school with these guys and played in bands with most of them. Duck, who introduced me to Reggae AND James Brown, turned down an offer to move to Jamaica in the 70's to join the session crew at the famous Studio One in Kingston in order to return to K.C. and put together this band. The only band outside of Jamaica to play the Reggae Sunsplash festival, where they absolutely floored the crowd. Check Duck's fill at 1:55 - it will make your head spin around like Linda Blair in "The Exorcist."

Steve "Duck" McClane on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=BsGgXYHV5-0

Marco - German and Reggae? Now there's two words you don't often hear in the same sentence! When I first heard the German Reggae phenom, Gentleman, I thought, who's this frat kid on drums? Then I started checking out his feel and fills - what a monster! My drummer friend Marv concluded that his skills must be a collateral effect of Dr. Mengele's experiments.

Marco on Youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXtvE7p-8F4&feature=PlayList&p=F463FD70F6C510C1&playnext=1&index=10

Vinnie Coliauta - yeah, yeah, I know, everybody has something to say about Vinnie, good or bad, but check his feel with brushes on this slow groove, the real hallmark of a great drummer. Oh yeah, and Tal Wilkenfeld's bass solo ain't too shabby either! I almost did a gig with him when he was going to sub for Gadson with Bill Lynch and the Midwestern Icons. He was unable to do it at the last minute. I think I was secretly relieved. When Bill told me he was on the gig, I pleaded, "Please make him play 4/4!"

Vinnie Coliauta on Youtube: http://www. youtube. com/watch?v=mIFFRHBCPzA


Some last minute guys I left out, all amazing: John Bonham, Richie Hayward, Dave Garibaldi, Alex Acuna, Gerry Brown, the late Mark Craney, and how about a few unsung heroes like Nashville's great Billy Thomas, L.A. studio groovers Tony Braunegel, Jim Christie, Chris Ross, John Molo, A few of Kansas City's great crew, Arny Young who can play anything effortlessly, Samba master Doug Auwarter, Marc Caplan, Barry Wisdom and Don Van Fleet, Seattle's versatile Russ Kammerer, L.A. World Beat wizards Casey Jones, Richie Fultineer, Paul Tchounga, Kal Drakopoulis, Juan Pedro Estanga, Rock Deadrick, Roderick Njoes, Marvin Kanarek, L.A.s first call Reggae drummer, Zebbie, and Kris Carpenter of Urban Dread.

If I left any of my great drummer friends off the list, it's because I've become delusional from this toothache,

Rick

PS - Oh yeah, did I happen to mention STEVE GADD?