Feature Stories
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.
Steve Smith: The Ultimate Multi-Dimensional Drummer
Over the past thirty years, Steve Smith has scaled the heights of pop-rock success with Journey, has been widely acknowledged as a true master of the instrument, and has performed with the greatest jazz artists of his generation—including in his…
Steven Drozd: Songwriting From A Drummer’s Perspective
by Michael Dawson Even though Steven Drozd originally joined the Flaming Lips in 1991 strictly to man the skins, it wasn’t long before the multi-talented musician’s “try anything” twist on songwriting and arranging became as crucial to the band’s successes…
Charlie Watts: The Stones’ Rock-Solid Survivor
Charlie Watts was born on June 2, 1941, in Islington, London, England. In 1960, he was playing with a local band when he met blues musician Alexis Korner, who convinced him to join his band, Blues Incorporated. Later that same year,…
Chad Smith: The Hub Of The Chili Peppers’ Ever-Spinning Wheel
“I have so much invested in this band, and I’m proud of it. It’s part of my identity. That’s not to say I couldn’t do other things, but I live the Red Hot Chili Peppers.” When Chad Smith said these…
Ray Luzier: Getting Inside The Music
To Ray Luzier, Korn’s drummer and newest member, playing with legends is nothing he hadn’t done before. The Musicians Institute grad and PIT instructor earned the full-time Korn gig in 2007. A number of familiar names had sat in with…
The Greats: Josh Freese
If the old saying “He’s been around the block a few times” applies to anyone, it most certainly applies to Josh Freese. Given his rep as a studio ace, he’s been referred to in MD as “Mr. First Call,” a…
Bobby Rosengarden: The Stylish Rhythm Of TV’s Golden Age
Bobby Rosengarden was a well-traveled and well-recorded drummer whose career spanned the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s and included work with musical giants such as Duke Ellington, Miles Davis, Tony Bennett, Stan Getz, Benny Goodman, and Astrud Gilberto. But Rosengarden…
Paiste Cymbals: Inside Paiste
(March 2010 Issue) Paiste has more than a thousand artists who endorse the company’s products, ranging from industry icons to up-and-coming players. Here, a cool dozen give props to their cymbal maker of choice. Ndugu Chancler (George Duke, Santana, Patrice…
Jason Gianni: Diversity And Dedication
by Mike Haid Early on in Jason Gianni’s life, his father passed along a very caring but cautious piece of advice, saying, “Whatever you want to do, just be the best you can be, follow the rules, and do it…
Jojo Mayer: Electro Shaman With Masterful Technique
For years, Jojo Mayer has been regarded as a drumming shaman, a man of mystery, a technical guru existing on the outer reaches of traditional drumming logic. Perhaps best known for his work with Screaming Headless Torsos and as a…
Thomas Pridgen: Buzz Inspiring
Thomas Pridgen has inspired more buzz among Modern Drummer readers than almost anyone else working today. Even diehard Mars Volta fans were unprepared for the frenetic wall of drumming Pridgen produced on the band’s 2008 album The Bedlam In Goliath.…
Jimmy Crawford: Kansas City’s Rock of Gibraltar
One of the most exciting and dynamic groups to come out of Kansas City during the swing era was the Jimmy Lunceford big band. Drummer Jimmy Crawford, a high-spirited, supportive player, was the driving force behind the Lunceford band for…
George Wettling: The Ultimate "Chicago style" Accompanist
George Wettling was one of the leading proponents of the early “Chicago style” of jazz drumming. A tasteful, imaginative, unobtrusive player, Wettling quickly built a reputation as the ultimate band drummer. Wettling took the conceptual and stylistic elements of Baby…
William "Cozy" Cole: The Father Of Coordinated Independence
Cozy Cole, an incredibly adept player, was strongly rooted in the rudimental style, but he contributed much to jazz drumming. One of the first players to develop his own brand of hand and foot coordination, he mastered the technique thoroughly,…
