Drummer biography books

[hardbat]

I’m surprised that no one has mentioned Chris Smith’s book, The View from the Back of the Band: The Life and Music of Mel Lewis.

And it includes a transcription of Mel's wonderful playing on the Kenton recording of "Stompin at the Savoy".

 

[Beefsurgeon]

Earl Palmer's biography is definitely worth reading. Definitely not an in-depth musical study, but the book draws a lot from interviews with Earl and some of the stories he tells are pretty wild.

 

[TheDrummerFromAmsterdam]

I’m not a particularly big fan of Kenny Aronoff’s drumming (which is not to say I don’t like it! I just don’t seek out music he’s played on like I might other players), but his autobiography “Sex, Drums, and Rock & Roll” (I’ll bet the overprotective forum filters will censor that title — it wasn’t me, I swear) is absolutely fantastic. He’s got an interesting backstory about how he got to where is now, from his early interests in music, through recording and touring in the rock scene of the 80s and 90s, through his sort of “rebranding”, for lack of a better word. He’s quite the storyteller. Highly recommend.

Halfway there.

Love the book so far!

 

[bigbonzo]

Fans of Charlie should probably also read Mike Edison's, Sympathy for the Drummer: Why Charlie Watts Matters, which just came out last year. It may be less of a Watts bio and more of a bio of the Stones that focuses heavily on Charlie, but what's wrong with that?

That's what I said said, but most members disagreed with me. It is less of a Watts bio and more about the Stones.

Charlie Watts - New Book

I bought a new book last night at a big book store. It's called "Sympathy For The Drummer; Why Charlie Watts Matters" by Mike Edison. I can't wait to delve into it. Has anyone read it yet? Is it a good one?

www.drumforum.org

 

[MMG]

Years ago, I read Riders on the Storm by John Densmore, and it gave a nice look into his style of playing and his time with The Doors, and it was also the basis for a lot of Oliver Stone’s movie.

I’m curious what other biographies have been written by or about drummers.

No one has mentioned "Jazz Heavyweight",
about Stan Levey one of the pioneers of bebop drumming.
Is anyone aware of any biographies about Max Roach?

 

[Wheresmyroadie?]

Let the Good Times Roll -My life in the Small Faces - Kenney Jones

BackBeat - Earl Palmer's Story - Tony Sherman

Remembering Bix - Ralph Berton - autobio of a youngster tagging along on the road with brother Vic, Bix Biederbeck's legendary drummer . I guess similar in some ways to the fil " Almost Famous " .

You beat me to it, Benny Earl Palmer's bio was great and informative re: "The Business."

 

[Staub]

I recently read and would recommend "Inside the Music: The Life of Idris Muhammad"

 

[John Minarik]

Years ago, I read Riders on the Storm by John Densmore, and it gave a nice look into his style of playing and his time with The Doors, and it was also the basis for a lot of Oliver Stone’s movie.

I’m curious what other biographies have been written by or about drummers.

"Through the Eyes of Magic" by John French. Fascinating, disturbing, comprehensive, but ultimately somehow uplifting in a bittersweet fashion. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

 

[bradydrums]

I'm looking forward to reading "Harder To Breathe" by former Maroon 5 drummer, Ryan Dusick. It must have been quite difficult to be replaced due to injury shortly after the band you worked so hard to create finally blew up big (you know, everything you worked towards for years). Lovely guy. Glad he found his way into a new path forward. FWIW, I think Songs About Jane is a well crafted pop album, despite its subsequent market saturation.

Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery: Dusick, Ryan: 9781637742334: Amazon.com: Books

Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery [Dusick, Ryan] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Harder to Breathe: A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery

www.amazon.com

 

[John DeChristopher]

Wow, thank you John.
There’s one out about Charlie Watts? There WILL be a copy at chez Wompus! Thanks sincerely for the head’s up!

I have read The Big Beat. Also Great Rock Drummers Of The 60’s, another wonderful book.

You’re welcome.
Yes, “Charlie’s Good Tonight” is brand new. It’s an authorized biography with the family’s blessing.

 

[Peano]

Harold Jones: The Singer's Drummer ​

 

[Peano]

BackBeat - Earl Palmer's Story - Tony Sherman

Yes!

 

[TCurtis]

Levon Helms ‘This Wheels on Fire’. Originally published in the late 90’s? He did put out at least one updated version that included the Dirt farmer Grammies and Midnight Rambles. If you are fan of the Band or Robbie Robertson in particular, don’t read it as he accurately trashes Robbie for screwing the other 4 members, prompting Robertson’s ‘Testimony and ‘Once were Brothers film that tried to rebuke and salvage his image before he sold the rights to said image. Seriously, a great reader for drummers and music fans alike.

 

[lougrassi]

Stan Levy Jazz Heavyweight by Frank R. Wade Foreward by Charlie Watts
Mel Lewis bio The View From the Back of the Bus
and Notes and Tones, a collection of interviews with jazz greats by drummer Art Taylor.

 

[Azoth]

Dave Grohl The Storyteller.

I have the hardback on my nightstand but have yet to pick it up. I will soon.

I'm about 50 pages in and already really enjoying it.

 

[Butch]

Prisoner of Woodstock by Dallas Taylor. About half the book is about his formative years as a drummer and his time with CSN and CSN&Y and Stephen Stills/Manassas and about half was about the heroin addiction that led to his liver transplant. Overall a good read.

 

[bradydrums]

Harold Jones: The Singer's Drummer ​

Harold Jones is a bad-ass, and a gentleman. I love watching him play.

 

[moondrum]

Years ago, I read Riders on the Storm by John Densmore, and it gave a nice look into his style of playing and his time with The Doors, and it was also the basis for a lot of Oliver Stone’s movie.

I’m curious what other biographies have been written by or about drummers.

I just finished My Las Vegas by Bobby Morris who was the drummer in the 1950’s for Louie Prima and many other well know singers and entertainers. A great book. I also read Backbeat by Earl Palmer the well known New Orleans drummer who eventually moved to LA and became one of the top studio musicians, another interesting and great book.

 

[rkingston]

Halfway there.

I believe that was Tico Torres, not Kenny.

 

[mebeatee]

I almost forgot this one...after all he is the punch line in the “to the greatest drummer in the world” letter joke.....
bt