Features

Modern Drummer is the world’s most widely read drum magazine, is dedicated entirely to the art of drumming and caters to the needs of amateur, semi-pro, and professional drummers.

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Mark Guiliana — Blackstar in a Yellow Sweat Suit

The famed drummer is back in electro mode with his way forward-looking Beat Music project.

Story by Ken Micallef | Photos by Alex Solca
Sep 30, 2019

The Regrettes’ Drew Thomsen

Drew Thomsen has been holding down the rhythm with garage pop sweethearts the Regrettes for enough time to make a statement of purpose for all who come to rock out at their shows.

Story by Lia Braswell |Photos by Alex Solca
Sep 30, 2019

Steve Lukather on Five Jeff Porcaro Toto Tracks (Plus Five Non-Toto Ones!)

Back in 1977, after doing sessions in L.A. for a number of top acts and appearing on many hit records together, keyboardist David Paich and drummer Jeff Porcaro decided to write, record, and tour for themselves.

Interview by Billy Amendola | Transcriptions by Willie Rose
Sep 30, 2019

Mastodon’s Brann Dailor on the Band’s Heavenly “Stairway to Nick John”

The drummer recently talked to MD to discuss the band’s heartfelt tribute to their longtime friend and manager.

by David Ciauro
Aug 26, 2019

Robert Plant and the Sensational Space Shifters’ John Blease: Fearless with Intention

He’s played with likes of Seal, Ben Folds, the BBC Big Band, Sheryl Crow, and Ellie Goulding. But landing a gig with rock ’n’ roll legend Robert Plant nearly says it all.

by David Ciauro
Aug 26, 2019
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1969: The Shock of the New

As artists developed increasingly ambitious musical concepts, the challenges for instrument designers, engineers, composers, and instrumentalists increased as well.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

Creedence Clearwater Revival’s Doug Clifford

Given the breakneck pace at which CCR operated in 1969, it’s a wonder Clifford and Cook are still out on the road fifty years later.

by Patrick Berkery
Aug 26, 2019

Remembering Hal Blaine

He helped pave the way for every great studio musician who came out of L.A., and his influence extends to this very day.

Modern Drummer
Aug 26, 2019

Theme for an “Imaginary” Drummer

To most, Corky Laing’s drumming is synonymous with the great heavy-rock band Mountain, and vice versa.

by Bob Girouard
Aug 26, 2019

JD Beck

Mentored by Dallas-area drummers like Robert “Sput” Searight, Mike Mitchell, and Cleon Edwards, JD Beck has crafted a style of crooked beats and patterns mixed with over-the-barline fluidity.

Story by Ilya Stemkovsky | Photos by Alex Solca
Aug 26, 2019

Tony Williams at a Jazz Crossroads

During his years with Miles Davis, beginning in 1963 at age seventeen, Tony Williams radically changed jazz drumming.

by Jeff Potter
Aug 26, 2019

Led Zeppelin II

Led Zeppelin II was released on October 22, 1969. Although initially panned by some critics, the album became the band’s first number-one album.

by David Ciauro
Aug 26, 2019
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Ringo Starr's Maple Ludwig Hollywood Drumkit

As an iconic piece of rock ’n’ roll history, this kit has since been archived, documented, and refurbished, and it currently resides in custom road cases.

by Gary Astridge
Aug 26, 2019

Bruce Rowland

Bruce Rowland racked up numerous recording and touring credits through his extensive work in the pop, folk, blues-rock, and rock worlds.

by Will Romano
Aug 26, 2019
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