Italian drummers - why are there so many?

[JOE COOL]

ron zito ,was bobby darin's drummer

 

[Z Furman is back]

Nobody mentioned Remo Belli, without him we'd still be using calfskin drum heads.

Drum on,
Z

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remo

 

[Archt]

Im in...Sangiolo all grandparents came from the old country.

 

[JOE COOL]

bobby darin, born walden robert cassotto,bronx,new york.
home of another paisan, gretsch legend frank assenza.
a shout out to frank,we havent spoken in awhile.hope all is well.

bobby played numerous instruments including the drums.
at 4:20 mark into the video he sits behind a set and gets down.

 

[Deafmoon]

It may have been mentioned but Gary Chester. His real name was Ceasario Garciullo. He changed it, I think around the time he won the Gene Krupa Drum Contest in ‘38.

 

[Squirrel Man]

Made instant coffee in the microwave and thought i went back in time.

The last post made in 2010, edited by a mod 8 years later.

 

[Steech]

There are an awful lot of Italian drummers, aren't there? My dad always said he thought many Italians have a certain hyped-up energy that translates well into a physical instrument like the drums. This came up briefly at NAMM when I found myself surrounded by some other Italian brothers at the Ludwig booth. Can you name them all?

HAHAHAHA!!

 

[Morello Man]

My understanding is that Joe Morello's father - Joseph - was from the south of France and that Joe's mother - Lillian nee LaPalme - was French-Canadian.

 

[Johnny Vegas]

steve gadd
joe morello
vinny colaiuta
terry bozzio

giuseppe coolio siciliano paisano

Lombardo’s family emigrated from Cuba. Do any of the others speak Italian?

 

[Matched Gripper]

My understanding is that Joe Morello's father - Joseph - was from the south of France and that Joe's mother - Lillian nee LaPalme - was French-Canadian.

I was at a John Riley clinic last year. He was a student of Joe Morello. He explained that Joe’s real last name is Morel, French-Canadian and that he changed it because of apparent bias against French Canadians.

 

[Formula 602]

All I know is …if I list Gretsch parts on Marketplace..I get a lof of enquirers from Italy!

 

[rsmittee]

Nobody mentioned DFO's very own @John DeChristopher and one of his all time best guests, Eddie Tuduri. Eddie seems to be notorious for his sugo and meatballs.

 

[retrosonic]

Whatsa you problem witta US?

 

[Tornado]

I'd guess it has a lot to do with a high concentration of people of Italian decent in New York. Same with those of Jewish descent.

 

[JazzDrumGuy]

The accordion is a highly percussive instrument......

That, or Italians like to entertain and amuse......wait, did I just say that?
Hey, ho, hey.....

 

[John DeChristopher]

Nobody mentioned DFO's very own @John DeChristopher and one of his all time best guests, Eddie Tuduri. Eddie seems to be notorious for his sugo and meatballs.

Eddie’s sauce and meatballs are legendary!

A few more names for the list besides yours truly and the people already listed… apologies for any duplicates.

Gene Krupa
Luigi Bellsoni (Louie Bellson)
Danny Seraphine
Eddie Tuduri
Jack Bruno
Joe Vitale
Liberty DeVitto
Sandy Gennaro
Mike Mangini
Dave DiCenso
Joe Franco
Dom Famularo
Vito Rezza
Frank Bellucci
Mario Calire
Michael Cartellone

 

[Jazzhead]

Italians are into drums and cars…that’s why they are cool!

 

[Rock Duo Daddy]

Did

My name is anthony Fossaluzza.

My name is anthony Fossaluzza...

Italians are into drums and cars…that’s why they are cool!

 

[David M Scott]

There are an awful lot of Italian drummers, aren't there? My dad always said he thought many Italians have a certain hyped-up energy that translates well into a physical instrument like the drums. This came up briefly at NAMM when I found myself surrounded by some other Italian brothers at the Ludwig booth. Can you name them all?

If you have ever been to Italy you would know that the Italians live for music. Music is an integral part of life and most families play a lot just like the Bluegrass people in the US south In Italy there are musicians in most streets but they are mainly playing accordions and guitars. I'm guessing that drum kits were not a part of Italian culture until they immigrated to N.A. where drums were so common in heavy Afro American areas. Italian wedding bands proliferate in Italian communities just like Polka bands do in German and Polish dense areas. Again early bands in those communities tended not to have drums and rhythm was carried by Tubas etc,. But in those three countries and France, music is everywhere and street musicians abound.
The closest American example is New Orleans. As for Italian drummers being in my 80's I can truthfully say that if you look at the Big Bands of the 40s and Jazz bands of the 40-50s there were very few drummers with Italian heritage. Why ?.. maybe the cultural heritage thing of more or less drumless music had something to with it
and it wasn't until second and third generations of Italians, Gemans and Poles cottoned to American music.
This is just a guess based on what I've personally witnessed on my three visits to Europe.
Sure would welcome other opinions.
Ciao

 

[Rock Duo Daddy]

Did anyone mention Dino Danelli from the Rascals? My name is Tony Calistro.