The Modern Drummer Podcast

From the archives, Start Drumming Now! with Chad Smith hosted by our Publisher & CEO David Frangioni

From the archives, this episode of "Live From My Drum Room With John DeChristopher" originally aired live on February 6, 2022 with guests Cathy Rich and Gregg Potter. Gregg is the drummer for the Buddy Rich Band Band. John, Cathy and Gregg discussed Cathy's Dad, the legendary Buddy Rich and stories about the man whom is considered by many to be the greatest drummer of all time. Lots of laughs and great insights into the legendary Buddy Rich, and Cathy’s tireless efforts to keep her Dad’s name out there, and preserve his incredible legacy. Come along for the ride!

From the archives, this episode of Live From My Drum Room with Simon Kirke of Bad Company originally aired live on November 22, 2021. Simon joins John for a fabulous conversation including the London music scene in the 1960s, "Free" and the formation of "Bad Company" in 1973. His friendship with John Bonham and Keith Moon. Led Zeppelin and Bad Company manager, Peter Grant and some great insights on his drums and recording process from the early Bad Co era and much more!

John’s guest is Cady Zildjian. Cady is the Vice Chair Board of Directors for the Zildjian Company. She is the eldest of the 15th generation of the Zildjian Family and the daughter of Debbie Zildjian, granddaughter of Armand Zildjian and great granddaughter of Avedis Zildjian, who founded Zildjian’s US operation in 1929. Zildjian celebrates their 400th Anniversary this year and Cady talks about the exciting events the company has already held this year, as well as the upcoming 400th event in Boston on September 20th, R&D and new product innovations, and lots more! So come along for the ride - pun intended! 

John’s guest is the incomparable Cindy Blackman Santana! Cindy talks about her formative years as a drummer and hearing Max Roach for the first time, and shortly after, the great Tony Williams and the influence Tony has on her playing. Attending Berklee College of Music and later studying with the legendary Alan Dawson. Moving from Boston to New York and establishing herself in the New York jazz scene. Auditioning for Lenny Kravitz in 1993 and playing with Lenny for 17 years. Being the drummer in her husband’s band, the legendary Carlos Santana, since 2016, as well as leading her own band, and much more! 

John’s guest is legendary Jazz drummer, composer, band leader and seven-time Grammy winner, Jeff “Tain” Watts. John and Jeff talk about when they met in 1980 while Jeff was attending Berklee College of Music in Boston, Jeff’s background in Classical Music, and moving to New York at age 22 as his career took off. Jeff also talks about moving to Los Angeles and his years as the drummer for The Tonight Show band, and much more! 

A special episode of Live From My Drum Room remembering Music Industry icon and Artist Relations pioneer, Lennie DiMuzio! Lennie is best known for his 40+ years working at Zildjian, most notably in Artist Relations, as well as other key roles, and John is joined by Lennie’s daughter, Therese DiMuzio, and old friends and Zildjian alumni Colin Schofield, Jerry Donegan, Paul Francis, John Sorenson and Bill Morgan, along with Rob Wallis of Hudson Music, DCI Video and Drummers Collective. The group shared stories about Lennie during their time working at Zildjian, many involving Lennie's storied friendship with the legendary Armand Zildjian. The recurring theme throughout the episode is how much Lennie loved working in the Drum Industry and with drummers, and how much he was loved by everyone who ever met him. They also talk about Lennie’s hilarious memoir, “Tales From The Cymbal Bag” which is still available through Amazon.com. Lennie passed away in March 2015. He would have celebrated his 90th Birthday on May 4th. Watch for a future episode with legendary drummers remembering Lennie DiMuzio!  

John’s guest is veteran New York drummer, Clint de Ganon! Clint’s TV, film, recording and performance credits are staggering, including Steven Spielberg's Oscar-winning “West Side Story 2021” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” “The Only Murders In The Building” “American Horror Story” and more. Clint and John talk about what it takes to be a first call, in-demand drummer and working with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Paul Shaffer, Art Garfunkel and more. Clint held the drum chair for over a dozen Broadway shows, including Grammy and Tony Award winning musicals, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” & “Hairspray” as well as “Footloose” to name a few. You’ll see why he continues to be one of New York’s busiest drummers.

John’s guest is drummer/multi-instrumentalist, pianist, keyboard player, composer and producer, Gary Husband. John and Gary go back to Gary’s early years studying classical piano and his transition to drums. Becoming a professional musician at age 13, which led to an incredible career, recording and performing with Allan Holdsworth, Jack Bruce, Jeff Beck, Billy Cobham, Level 42 to name a few. Gary reflected on his long history with legendary guitarist Allan Holdsworth and how that led to his current project, “The Trackers." Gary and John recalled Zildjian’s Tribute to Ginger Baker in 2008 where played keyboards in the house band, along with Simon Phillips, Tony Levin and Keith Carlock. Stories about Elvin Jones, Tony Williams and much more. They also played two tracks from "The Trackers: Vaudeville 8:45.” 

John is joined by a distinguished panel of legendary and highly respected drummers to remember their friend and world renowned drummer and educator, Pete Zeldman. Pete was a longtime faculty member of the renown Drummers Collective in New York. Jeff “Tain” Watts, Kenwood Dennard, Rob Wallis, Jason Gianni, Tobias Ralph, Andy Sanesi and Cherie Dennard shared wonderful and touching stories about Pete, as well as comments on behalf of legendary drummers and friends, Vinnie Colaiuta and Bob Moses, who were unable to join due to scheduling conflicts. The panel also remembered the late Frank Katz, a phenomenal drummer best remembered for his incredible drumming with “Brand X" and a former student and later faculty member of Drummers Collective.