Drum History

(First Aired Feb 2019) "That Great Gretsch Sound" has been around since 1883, join me as I talk with John Sheridan about the full history of this iconic company! John is an expert on Gretsch and co-wrote "The Gretsch Book" with Rob Cook.

John takes us through the 136 year history with amazing facts and stories and also some information that you won't hear anywhere else!

Here is the timeline on the Gretsch websites I used to follow along with John:

http://www.gretschdrums.com/history

The Gretsch Book is available for purchase at most retailers, here it is on Rebeats:

http://rebeats.com/books.html

Follow me on Facebook and Instagram for daily drumming videos and posts that correspond with the episodes! @drumhistory_podcast

Please give me a rating and a review if you like the show. I love getting feedback from everyone and hearing how you like the show, get in touch and let me know what you want to learn about next!

Jim Gordon went from being the first call drummer of his generation who played on hundreds of hit records, to becoming a victim of the chemicals in his brain that caused him to murder his mother in a schizophrenic episode. Joel Selvin describes his Jim Gordon's life and his book perfectly with this description: "The blazing rock opera of the greatest drummer of all-time, Jim Gordon, from the legendary Wrecking Crew to redefining rock on the Seventies’ biggest hits and outrageous tours, and ultimately to the most shocking crime in rock history—a story of musical genius, uncontrollable madness, and the big fill"

You can purchase Joel's great book here: https://amzn.to/49wuh0Y

Here is Kindle version - https://amzn.to/3Imwa4s

Here is Joel's website: https://www.joelselvin.com/

If you struggle with mental illness, then call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) for help

Enjoy this episode!

Did you know that Alfred Hitchcock used a drummer on the set of the 1963 classic thriller, 'The Birds'? The real question is: who is this mystery drummer, and how/why did Hitchcock employ a percussionist to perform during the filming of the movie? I have been researching this topic for the last few weeks and have made some amazing discoveries about the on-set drummer, and great information that goes beyond just this topic. Alfred Hitchcock is one of the best filmmakers of all time, and he knew the power that drums can have on people. Find out everything I have learned about it in this episode!

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**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**

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(Part 2 Covers 1985-2015) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guide us through each and every one of Alex's iconic drum sets and all the accessories and details that make them absolutely one of a kind works of art!

Alex Van Halen's drum sets feature 4 bass drums, fire extinguishers, gas masks, exhaust pipes, and rubber tubes connecting everything together. Does it get any cooler than that? In this episode, Kurt takes us through all the iconic kits that AVH used with Sammy Haggar in the mid 80's including the iconic 5150 set and his Simmons drum sets, through the 90's with Gary Cherone and up to his final performance in 2015.

Alex will always be one of the greatest drummers in the world and his drum sets have inspired millions of musicians around the world.

You can check out this series on YouTube if you would like to see the visuals we discuss: www.youtube.com/@DrumHistoryPodcast

Thanks for listening/watching!

Here are links to Kurt's other episodes of Drum History:

The Gear of John Densmore - https://youtu.be/1d_Vm9x4LNA?si=hUGccRZk0dXOsukQ

The History of WFL Drums - https://youtu.be/9QEJket9eTA?si=cfjq7MDGbqNeD0nz

**JOIN PATREON**

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**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**

https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drum-history-podcast?ref_id=26024

** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **

https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN

** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **

https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652

**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. use code DRUM to save 15%***

https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee

(Part 1 covers 1964-1984) Alex Van Halen is responsible for inspiring a generation of young drummers to pick up drumsticks because of his virtuosic playing and HUGE drum sets. Kurt Ekstrom joins us on the podcast to guide us through each and every one of Alex's iconic drum sets and all the accessories and details that make them absolutely one of a kind works of art!

Alex Van Halen's drum sets feature 4 bass drums, fire extinguishers, gas masks, exhaust pipes, and rubber tubes connecting everything together. Does it get any cooler than that? In this episode, Kurt takes us through all the iconic kits that AVH used from his childhood drum set up to the mid-1980s at the last show that Van Halen played with David Lee Roth. Part 2 will pick things up from the mid 80's up to 2015 when Alex hung up his sticks.

Here are links to Kurt's other episodes of Drum History:

The Gear of John Densmore - https://youtu.be/1d_Vm9x4LNA?si=hUGccRZk0dXOsukQ

The History of WFL Drums - https://youtu.be/9QEJket9eTA?si=cfjq7MDGbqNeD0nz

You can check out this series on YouTube if you would like to see the visuals we discuss: www.youtube.com/@DrumHistoryPodcast

Thanks for listening/watching!

**JOIN PATREON**

https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast

**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**

https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drum-history-podcast?ref_id=26024

** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **

https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN

** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **

https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652

**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. use code DRUM to save 15%***

https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee

My wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy last week, so enjoy this classic episode from 2020 while I get caught up on next weeks episode!

Andy Zildjian is the president of Sabian Cymbals and takes us on a very fun journey through the history of the company that dates back to its founding in 1981 by his father, Robert Zildjian. This episode features tons of great information about his famous family in general and we discuss the factors that caused the split in the family and become the iconic Sabian cymbals that we know today.

We learn all about how Robert Zildjian founded the company and how much of a visionary he was as a business man and used his international smarts to help Sabian come out of the gate as a major player in the cymbal company in the early 80's. Andy is continuing his fathers legacy by innovating and keeping the company on the cutting edge of cymbal technology.

Enjoy this episode!

Mike Mangini is famous for being an incredibly talented drummer and teacher, but also for creating some of the most elaborate and breathtaking drum sets of all time. He breaks down his first kit, which he used with Extreme, consisting of RotoToms in an 'Apex Shape.' Then, we jump to his 2010s Dream Theater kit, which was a modern marvel of drum set engineering. After that, we discuss his current kit, used for his great new album, 'Invisible Signals,' and learn about the WHY and HOW he creates the design and shape of these kits.

Mike also shares how his passion for science, math and the human brain influences his choices when it comes to building his kits and performing.

Mike will be doing a Masterclass tour across the USA in February and March 2022 - check out his site to learn more about that and all things Mangini!

www.mikemangini.com

https://vimeo.com/mikemangini

https://www.youtube.com/@IPostVideoForMM

Also, check out Mike's album 'Invisible Signs' on all streaming platforms.

I hope you enjoy this episode!

**JOIN PATREON**

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**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**

https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drum-history-podcast?ref_id=26024

** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **

https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN

** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **

https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652

**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. use code DRUM to save 15%***

https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee

(From March 2020) Gary is a historian and expert on all things Ringo Starr. He has curated Ringo's collection of original Beatles drum kits and is full of great stories about Ringo that you won't hear from anyone else!

We talk about a biography of Ringo, A description of all of his drum sets through the years, and Garys involvement with Ringo and his drums including over 4 million dollars in auction sales from Ringo's collection that Gary curated.

Check out the new YouTube video here: - https://youtu.be/T2ehJvJQPzo

Check out Gary's website at https://www.ringosbeatlekits.com/ to learn about everything Ringo and also book Gary to speak at your event!

Here is a link to Gary and Ringo's new book - Beats and Threads: https://www.ringostarr.com/ringo-starrs-landmark-photography-retrospective-hardcover-beats-threads-chronicling-over-70-years-of-his-legendary-drum-kits-and-era-defining-fashions-announced/#/

Thanks to Neesh for making this video - follow him at @prodnoego_

Thanks for listening, if you like the show give me a rating and leave a review!

Nick White has the worlds largest collection of Silent Film Trap instruments, and he recently used them in the Martin Scorsese film, Killers of the Flower Moon. Nick shares some of his favorite instruments and sounds in this episode including automotive, train, animal, impact, and comedy sound effects, plus many more. Nick was on the show over 200 episodes ago and now he is back with more instruments and knowledge than ever before!

This "pre-talkie" period in movie history is fascinating and was a completely different than the world of working drummers we live in now. Each theater would have one (or more) drummers on staff to bring the motion pictures to life, but it all ended in 1927. It is also great to hear Nick discuss his time working on the most recent Martin Scorcese film, Killers of the Flower Moon, which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and the scene Nick is in also features our old friend, Paul Wells.

Check out Nick's website here: http://www.vintagepercussionsoundeffects.com/

and be sure to check out this episode on YouTube to see the video of all the instruments: http://www.youtube.com/@DrumHistoryPodcast

Henrique has had a prolific drumming career as a performer, Berklee professor, author, studio musician, clinician, and business owner. In this episode, he teaches us a clear path to create a successful and fulfilling career as working drummers through multiple different outlets. We cover topics such as do you need to read to be a pro drummer? What happens if you don't want to be a teacher? How important is social media to your career? - and much more. Henrique really drives home the importance of working harder than every other drummer because competition is higher than ever, but it is very possible to make a great living as a drummer.

The information that Henrique presents here can really help aspiring drummers make smart decisions in their careers and skip making mistakes that cost them time and money. He is a great drummer and a very good guy who is a teacher at heart!

Henrique runs The Drum Set Coach Academy where he coaches drummers how to lay out a clear path to success and keep them accountable and focused along the way. Learn more at https://www.thedrumsetcoach.com/

Thanks to Yana Tech for sponsoring this episode - yanatech.store

**DRUM HISTORY MERCH**

https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drum-history-podcast?ref_id=26024

** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **

https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN

** 30 DAY FREE DRUMEO TRIAL **

https://drumeo.pxf.io/c/3607735/1268414/14652

**JOIN PATREON**

https://www.patreon.com/drumhistorypodcast

**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. use code DRUM to save 15%***

https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee