Comedian Drummers

[Patrick]

Hi,

Tripped across this article on the curious fact that many comedians are/were drummers. The topic comes up here by times, so apologies if this has been reposted:

http://thephoenix.com/boston/arts/88015-funnky-drummer/

Patrick

 

[K.O.]

I have a CD of Hal Blaine doing stand up...so apparently it can go both ways.

 

[SwivoNut]

I remember an old rapid-fire comedy duo known as Skiles and Henderson. One played bass and the other played drums, and they were quite good. Their take off on the Bob Haggart/Ray Bauduc classic "Big Noise From Winnetka" was hilarious.

 

[agogobil]

Timing. Jack Benny was a master of the pause.

 

[Wheresmyroadie?]

Charlie Callous was originally a drummer, and a very good one. His comic antics behind the set got him so much attention, people told him he should do standup. He realized he didn't have to drag equipment around and the rest is history. My wireless is down, so I'm back on dialup for a bit, but you can see him in action on Youtube.

 

[PremierCarl]

Soooo many comedic drummers: Jerry Lewis, Johnny Carson and Sammy Davis... Mel Torme (I know not really a comedienne)

 

[davydrums]

Charlie Callous was originally a drummer, and a very good one. His comic antics behind the set got him so much attention, people told him he should do standup. He realized he didn't have to drag equipment around and the rest is history. My wireless is down, so I'm back on dialup for a bit, but you can see him in action on Youtube.

+1 Charlie was absolutely insane.By the way ,it's Callas.

 

[Lorenzo1950]

Peter Sellers was a professional drummer early in his career.

 

[davydrums]

Hey!How about Bob Crane?I never found Him particularly funny.But He was a pretty big Dj in LA before Hogan's Heroes.

 

[BennyK]

Spike Jones. Jo Jones .

 

[jrfrond]

Most drummers are comedians. Or at least we THINK we're funny!

 

[Scottlogsdon]

Chevy Chase is another...

 

[xsabers]

Most drummers are comedians. Or at least we THINK we're funny!

Only 'cuz we can provide our own rimshots...


I always thought Rick Marotta could have had a career in comedy.

 

[Thwack]

If you wanna laugh, watch me try to play the drums.

 

[slinginit]

...Or at least we THINK we're funny!

My wife says something like that to me all the time.

 

[TheBeachBoy]

Dana Carvey is a drummer, of sorts. I don't know if he kept up on it or learned just enough to get by on the "Wayne's World" skits and movies.

 

[& You Dont Stop]

we have to have a sense of humor to put up with guitar players,

 

[BillCraig]

Arrrgh! Showing my age again answering this one (I'm 61, btw )!

The late "Brother" Dave Gardner incorporated his playing into his dialogue.

He'd start a little 4/4 and ramble as he played. Most of his material wouldn't be considered "pc" these days, but it was funny as hell back in the 60's.......: "This here's a drum trap piece, called 'Trap, trap, trap the boys are marchin' or 'Will you meet me on that other shore?' Then segue into the "March of the Toreadors" from Bizet's Carmen..... "Torea-doh'-RAY, Toh-RAY-ah-doh'! Who dat was wit'choo on da floh?"

You had to be there, I reckon. <_<

Anyway, maybe some of us silver-haired drum gods will remember "Brother Dave".

Thanks

B~

 

[5 Style]

There's a guy that was on SNL (maybe he still is) Fred Armisten who's apparently a really good drummer. came up playing in some bands before he got into doing comedy.

 

[evening]

Mel Brooks too - took some lessons from Buddy.