In this episode of Drum History, we take an in-depth look at the legendary gear of Steve Gadd, one of the most recorded and influential drummers of all time.

Our returning guest, Paul Wells (Juilliard jazz faculty, Curtis Stigers, Vince Giordano & The Nighthawks), joins host Bart van der Zee for another ultra-detailed “gear episode” exploring the drums that shaped Gadd’s sound across his incredible career. Part 1 covers from Childhood to 1989.

From his early Gretsch and Rogers kits to the iconic Yamaha setup that became synonymous with his style, we trace how each era of his gear evolved — and how innovations like his tom configurations, hi-hat preferences, and snare choices influenced generations of drummers.

Paul also shares insights from his exclusive interview with Steve Gadd, arranged with help from John DeChristopher (Live From My Drum Room), and stories from Artie Smith, Steve’s longtime drum tech.

Links and resources:

📘 Steve Gadd: A Life in Time by Joe Bergamini (Hudson Music)

https://amzn.to/3KvLSP9

🥁 Gaddiments – Steve’s book of modern rudimental exercises

https://amzn.to/4h4rgd2

🎥 Ruben van Roon’s YouTube channel for rare Steve Gadd performances and breakdowns

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

and of course, Live from My Drum Room with John DeChristopher

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

If you love deep gear history, detailed analysis, and legendary drumming stories, this is one you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Intro & Steve Gadd overview

2:30 – Early Gretsch kits and childhood setup

10:00 – Rogers kits, The Hustle, and the disco era

20:00 – Army years & rare cymbal stories

28:00 – Yamaha era and gear innovations

45:00 – Interview with Steve Gadd preview

55:00 – Books, resources & legacy

🎙️ Hosted by Bart van der Zee

🎵 Guest: Paul Wells

https://www.youtube.com/@paulwells2227

Drummer and educator Dave Elitch (The Mars Volta, Weezer, Miley Cyrus) joins me to break down why so many drummers hit a ceiling—and how to fix it with better mechanics, smarter practice, and choices that actually translate to the kit. We dig into eliminating hidden tension, building sustainable speed and feel, practical tuning and muffling, and Dave’s new course Your Mind’s Ear on dialing in sound and gear (launching September 8, 2025).

Highlights

The #1 mistake: building speed on top of tension—and how to unwind it

Meeting players where they are: playing “more you” without pain

Social media vs. reality: flashy techniques that won’t hold up on a gig

Practical tuning & muffling (heads, dampening, avoiding dead drums)

Small daily habits that prevent injury and compound progress

Find Dave

Website/Courses: www.daveelitch.com

Instagram: @daveelitch

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Ever wondered if you’ve been saying Tama, Paiste, or Sonor correctly? You’re not alone! In this episode, Late Night with Seth Meyers producer and friend to all drummer's, Eric Leiderman joins the show to settle the debate on how to pronounce some of the most commonly mispronounced drum brands.

We break down the correct pronunciations of brands like Ludwig, Zildjian, Meinl, Sabian, Canopus, Trixon, Gretsch, and more, with recordings from the companies themselves.! Whether you’re a seasoned drummer or just starting out, this episode is a must-listen to make sure you’re saying these legendary names the right way.

Tune in and never mispronounce Paiste again!

Follow Eric on social media at @erx11

We are joined by Ben Hilzinger, professional drummer and author of Drummers on Drumming, to explore the stories behind the records that shaped the legends of the drumming world. Ben shares his experiences performing with bands like Cannons and Eve 6, hosting his acclaimed podcast, and diving into the journeys of iconic and up-and-coming drummers through his book.

Discover the challenges, inspirations, and unique philosophies that define what it means to be a drummer today. Whether you're a seasoned percussionist, an aspiring player, or just someone who loves great music, this interview is packed with insights to inspire your musical journey. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a creative force in the drumming community!

📖 Purchase Drummers on Drumming: https://amzn.to/4gYwZ2Y

🎧 Connect with Ben: https://benhilzinger.com/ or on social media @benhilzinger

** CHECK OUT MY GEAR ON SWEETWATER **

https://imp.i114863.net/yRYRGN

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

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**I record interviews with Riverside.FM - I highly recommend it. Here is my affiliate link: https://riverside.fm/?via=bart-vanderzee

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating history and evolution of buying and selling drums with special guest Gerry Porter of Hazelshould.com. From the dapper beginnings of mom-and-pop drum shops in bustling cities to the rise of mail-order catalogs that revolutionized access to musical instruments, we trace the industry's transformation. We'll explore how massive retailers like Guitar Center and Sam Ash brought drums to the masses and discuss how platforms like eBay and Reverb.com shifted the marketplace entirely online.

Gerry Porter brings his deep insights and expertise to this episode. Don’t miss his thoughtful takes on how these changes have shaped the way drummers find and sell gear today.

Check out Gerry Porter's website for everything you could ever need or want for your drum set: www.hazelshould.com

In this episode, we dive deep into the extraordinary journey of Ryan Dusick, the original drummer for Maroon 5. Ryan shares his experiences of rising to fame with one of the world’s most popular bands, the mental health and substance struggles that forced him to step away, and his remarkable path to recovery. We discuss how he rebuilt his life, found a new purpose as a therapist, and authored his powerful memoir Harder to Breathe. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation about resilience, self-discovery, and creating a new rhythm in life.

Learn more about Ryan here: https://www.ryandusick.com/

Purchase "Harder to Breathe" here: https://amzn.to/3VwzsZE

Join us as we explore the fascinating world of shakers, one of the most versatile and underrated percussive instruments! In this episode, we dive into the origins of shakers, their unique classifications, and a variety of playing techniques. Whether you’re a percussion enthusiast or a curious music lover, you’ll gain insights into how these simple instruments add rhythm and texture to music around the globe.

Our special guest, William Johnson, brings his extensive expertise and passion for percussion to the conversation. With over 25 years of experience as a performer, composer, and educator, William has recorded on more than two dozen albums, collaborated with award-winning artists, and produced music featured on networks like TLC, Univision, and Discovery. A former Air Force member with a Master’s in Ethnomusicology, William draws inspiration from his Latin heritage and global travels to create and teach diverse musical styles.

Discover the art and rhythm of shakers in this engaging discussion!

Check out more about William here:

Website: www.williamjohnsonmusic.com

Social Media: @williamjohnsonmusic

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WilliamJohnsonmusic

Brandon Green from drummechanics.com joins us on the show to give us a 101 course on all things drum ergonomics and how to play the drums without any pain! We go every piece of the drum set and discuss how to set them up individually for the best results in both comfort and ease for your body, and also to get the best and most efficient performance. Brandon is an expert on ergonomics on the drum set, and also in his daily business where he works with athletes, performers, and everyday people in pain.

You can check out Brandon's brand new course on his website: https://www.drummechanics.com/

and find him on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/@brandondrummechanics

Baldman Percussion hit the drum scene in 2018 and took the industry by storm with the Junk Hat! In 6 short years, they have become 2x NAMM best in show winners, created products that are beloved by drummers such as Travis Barker, Matt Chamberlain and Thomas Pridgen, and had a great time doing it.

Mike Mckee and Danny Young are professional drummers who have a perfect balance of business skills to make this brand work. Mike has the business savvy and Danny is the design mastermind behind these unique products. The story of Baldman is a great story that is very fun to hear and inspiring for all drummers, business owners, and people who want to mix the two.

Check out www.baldmanpercussion.com and find them on all social platforms at @baldmanpercussion

Thanks to everyone for listening, watching, and supporting the show over the years! Drum History has been an absolute pleasure every step of the way and I am excited to keep learning about the history of the drums!

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** 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