My Steely Dan Ticket Has Just Arrived.

[Bigbad]

But it’s not, though, is it?
It’s just Steely.
Or Dan.

Do you think Donald Fagan be continuing the tour so soon after Walter Becker’s death?

Just curious to know what other people think.

[andy-hughes]

davegosling - //Through listening, mainly. //

I thought so, please allow me to correct you.

I was a major feature writer for Drummer Magazine from Issue 3 to its final issue. I have met an interviewed dozens of world-famous drummers, and I can assure you that Keith Moon was and is admired and respected for his innovative style, and his technical ability.

People who listen to drummers think that players like Keith Moon and Ringo Starr are 'over-rated'. People who play drums at the highest level, and know what playing drums is about from professional experience, know that they are not.

[tonyav]

Andy, what did you think of Richard 'Pistol' Allen of the Funk Brothers ?.

[andy-hughes]

tonyav - Like all that outfit, he was top of his game, another very well respected musician.

[goodgoalie]

With you on Keith Moon, Andy, but Ringo Starr (as John Lennon is alleged to have said) wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles!

[tonyav]

Thanks for your reply, Andy.
I think that he (Pistol) and James Jamerson ( Bass player ) where the driving force.

[andy-hughes]

goodgoalie - That was JL's caustic sense of humour, typical, if you know his sense of wit.

Lennon knew perfectly well how good Starr was, and is - that's why they got rid of Pete Best and brought him in.

That joke has followed Ringo for life, but he was and is secure enough in the knowledge of how good he is, and how his playing is an integral part of what made The Beatles the band they are, that he simply doesn't take it seriously.

Neither should you!

[goodgoalie]

Funny how we've got on to the subject of drummers on a Steely Dan thread - they often used one of THE great drummers: Steve Gadd

[tonyav]

Speaking of drummers, Ginger was one of the first really great drummers that I came across ( I know it's open to augment, depends on what generation you belong to ).

[tonyav]

Good old Moon the Loon !

[Togo]

Heard all the drummers mentioned and seen them. John "Reni" Wren takes some beating(pun there somewhere). Pete Townsend called him and Gary "Mani" Manfield the best rhythm percussion duo ever. Can't argue.

[Togo]

[Bigbad]

Thanks for all the replies, folks.

I saw Little River Band at a rock festival in Holland in 2005. There was not a single original member, so to all intents and purposes, I suppose they were a tribute band. I thought they were great!

Have seen Foreigner twice, where the only original member left was Mick Jones. (Jason Bonham was the drummer). Although I have seen Lou Gramm as a solo performer, also at the rock festival in Holland. His drummer sat behind what I can only describe as a semi-circular perspex box. can anyone enlighten me as to what that is for?
Foreigner remain in my top 3 best ever live bands.

goodgoalie, the second time I saw James Taylor, I was absolutely mesmerised by the drummer.
When the band were introduced, it was Steve Gadd.

The 3 occasions I’ve seen Steely Dan, Keith Carlock was (and I believe, still is) the drummer. Spellbinding!

I’m not sure you can describe Steely Dan as having many ‘lineup’ changes: When the original lineup went their own separate ways in 1974, it was mainly because Fagen and Becker didn’t like to tour, and preferred to hone their craft in a studio. The remaining members wanted to get out on the road.
This is when just Fagen and Becker became Steely Dan who chose to use various studio/session musicians instead of having actual band members.

Out of all the bands I have seen live, the lineups have changed and evolved, but to me Steely Dan were Fagen AND Becker, and the death of Walter Becker means that Steely Dan are no more.

[andy-hughes]

Bigbad - // His drummer sat behind what I can only describe as a semi-circular perspex box. can anyone enlighten me as to what that is for? //

Some drummers are particularly hard-hitting and / or favour their cymbals. This causes sound to 'bleed' into other microphones on stage, which distorts the sound and makes mixing front-of-house sound difficult - the musicians are unaffected because almost every player uses in-ear monitors these days which cut out external noise.

In order to baffle the drum sound and keep it contained, a 'box' is erected around the drummer, sometimes just a single plate is used. It's clear Perspex because that minimises the visual impact for the audience, and for the musicians, who need to be able to see each other for non-verbal cues during the set.

[andy-hughes]

tonyav - // Speaking of drummers, Ginger was one of the first really great drummers that I came across ( I know it's open to augment, depends on what generation you belong to ). //

Again, from experience, I know it's not actually open to argument at all - GB is revered as an innovative musician, the first to use the twin kick-drum set up, and to bring jazz techniques to rock and blues music.

He also remains the most cantankerous musician I have ever interviewed - he could start an argument in a phone box with no money!

[Togo]

Ginger Baker's girlfriend I could tell you about. (^_*) They were resident at the Place for a while and she was bored and fed up with him. Dangerous mob around him. I was fearless and reckless and "handy".

[andy-hughes]

Togo - Ginger's great hero was a jazz drummer called Phil Seamen, who was unfortunately also a heroin addict. Ginger followed Phil a little too closely, and became an addict too.

Heroin addicts tend to move in dodgy circles - Ginger was no exception.

[Bigbad]

Many thanks for the explanation, andy-hughes.

[andy-hughes]

You are most welcome.