New Gene Krupa Book

[K.O.]

I just received my copy of Brooks Tegler's book about the equipment that Gene Krupa used and I have to say that I am very impressed. This would certainly be the new benchmark for any book about a particular drummer's equipment. I only wish that at some point Gary or someone could do a similar book on Ringo's drums. Obviously it was a labor of love to create such a work.

The book was originally done a year or two ago as an E-book. I don't care for reading on a screen and prefer a physical book so I was thrilled to see that he had started a go-fund-me campaign in order to have the book printed. The campaign was a success and the books were printed. My copy arrived yesterday. I'm not sure how many copies were printed and/or if it will remain in print in the future but at the moment it is available from Brooks (find him on facebook) for $45 (I think the e-book is $16).

 

[mebeatee]

Yup Gene was the guy......great forward thinker!!!!
He put a big cajon to good use in that pic
bt

 

[5stroke]

did Gene play matched grip a lot, the photo shows here?

 

[JDA]

umm that's the Purdie Grip.
(butt end out in left)

 

[Wolfman]

did Gene play matched grip a lot, the photo shows here?

He mostly played traditional grip, but he did do certain things with matched (with the left stick backwards). He played most of "Sing, Sing, Sing" that way.

That book by Brooks is fantastic!

 

[CSR]

Look at his high hat. I think the photo caught him fanning his hats.

 

[DD]

I just received my copy of Brooks Tegler's book about the equipment that Gene Krupa used and I have to say that I am very impressed. This would certainly be the new benchmark for any book about a particular drummer's equipment. I only wish that at some point Gary or someone could do a similar book on Ringo's drums. Obviously it was a labor of love to create such a work.

The book was originally done a year or two ago as an E-book. I don't care for reading on a screen and prefer a physical book so I was thrilled to see that he had started a go-fund-me campaign in order to have the book printed. The campaign was a success and the books were printed. My copy arrived yesterday. I'm not sure how many copies were printed and/or if it will remain in print in the future but at the moment it is available from Brooks (find him on facebook) for $45 (I think the e-book is $16).

View attachment 531860

Very cool that he was able to get the book printed and thanks for sharing. Curious what additional sort of info it has that Gary’s Ringosbeatleskits website doesn’t cover? More photos and historical data? Does the Gene book go into much detail on the shell construction, Slingerland technical details etc?

 

[Gotdrums]

SOLD OUT !!!!!!!!

 

[DD]

SOLD OUT !!!!!!!!

Wonder if 2nd printing will be forthcoming? Guess ebook might have to be the way to go.

 

[Griener]

Wonder if 2nd printing will be forthcoming? Guess ebook might have to be the way to go.

Brooks just posted on Facebook that he will be collecting orders for a second printing.
My copy is on its way, but he is trying to save money by combining overseas shipping.
But luckily there are Gene Krupa fans all over the world.

 

[K.O.]

Very cool that he was able to get the book printed and thanks for sharing. Curious what additional sort of info it has that Gary’s Ringosbeatleskits website doesn’t cover? More photos and historical data? Does the Gene book go into much detail on the shell construction, Slingerland technical details etc?

Gary has spoken of producing a book on Ringo's Beatle drums but so far has not done so to my knowledge. My statement was I WISH someone would do an as in depth book on Ringo's drums as Brooks has done on Krupa's.
I haven't read all the Krupa book but Brooks does do a good job of identifying all the various models Gene used through the years. As Slingerland's main "star" during the swing era Gene was on the cutting edge of drum design and instigated many improvements himself (such as toms with tunable reso heads). I'm not sure how in depth things go as far as shell layups and that sort of thing but most of Gene's drums would have had the standard Slingerland shells of the time. Generally mahogany/poplar/mahogany toms and bass drums and solid maple "Radio King" type snare drums during Gene's peak years as America's top drummin' man.

 

[retrosonic]

Yes, we really need a book about Ringos drums. He influenced millions of young drummers.

 

[Houndog]

Woe is he who incorrectly identifies a Radio King drum under Brooks watch !!

 

[DD]

Yes, we really need a book about Ringos drums. He influenced millions of young drummers.

I’ll second that idea!

 

[JDA]

Krupa with a zildjian "chip out"
(need twitter to see?)

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1482118767761051650

https://twitter.com/barneyhurley1

 

[campbellh]

I just received my copy of Brooks Tegler's book about the equipment that Gene Krupa used and I have to say that I am very impressed. This would certainly be the new benchmark for any book about a particular drummer's equipment. I only wish that at some point Gary or someone could do a similar book on Ringo's drums. Obviously it was a labor of love to create such a work.

The book was originally done a year or two ago as an E-book. I don't care for reading on a screen and prefer a physical book so I was thrilled to see that he had started a go-fund-me campaign in order to have the book printed. The campaign was a success and the books were printed. My copy arrived yesterday. I'm not sure how many copies were printed and/or if it will remain in print in the future but at the moment it is available from Brooks (find him on facebook) for $45 (I think the e-book is $16).

View attachment 531860

Great book! Brooks did a very thorough job and I learned a lot about Krupa. Brooks is also a leading expert on Slingerland drums.

 

[JOE COOL]

 

[JOE COOL]

from the comments section of the above video

Gene Krupa was indeed a pioneer! He did so much---the crash cymbal, the ride cymbal, the hi-hat--china type cymbals--he coiled all those names! Actually, in those days the ride was called the "top" cymbal, but soon was called ride, as Krupa changed the name to be more appropriate to it's function. The hi hat was often still called the "sock" cymbal, but the first short hi hat, Kruoa called it a "low hat" , and then he modified a lowhat stand with a monger tube and pull rod, to the "be bop" or, as he called it, hi-hat stand and cymbals. That way you could play those 2 cymbals with the sticks instead of just the foot. That single set of cymbals was the single greatest improvement and development in drumset evolution over any other. Gene wanted bigger, louder, brighter sounding cymbals, and Zildjian had a heck of a time making big ones! He actually played rides as big as 26 or even 28"! This was in an era of having issues getting enough metal through the leather belt-driven rolling mills just to make a lowly 16"! In fact, a 16" was a large cymbal, most were between 6" and 14". Somehow, Zildjian managed to make these huge cymbals, and the first "big" sounds were the result. As you can hear in this clip, the old hand hammered K cymbals were VERY garbage -can sounding, especially the hi-hats on this kit! That crash to his left on the kit sounded really 'dirty' and nasty when he crashed it at the end of the song. But he'd make them sound decent--he had the technique! Bear in mind, crashing cymbals to accent the phrases like he did in this clip was NOT the normal way to play in those days! This was radical playing and radical thinking back then! If you listen to this, you are already hearing elements of rock music--and I mean the stuff from the 1970's era! What he is doing here became the standard for playing to this day. We owe what we do to him, and Buddy Rich. John Bonham actually idolized Krupa, and you can hear those elements (yes big band jazz!) in many Led Zeppelin tunes--even triplets on the ride cymbal! Just think--it Krupa had access to the Paiste 2002 cymbals Bonham plays, and the set up Bonham had, how incredible that would sound! This guy blazed new trails for both drumming in modern music, and the musical instrument design and manufacture! He was just the pioneer of modern drumming and drumkits!

 

[JDZ]

Years ago, I remember reading that Keith Moon was really influenced by Gene. The clip above is what immediately popped into mind. That double stick twirl towards the end is just too tough!

Dave

 

[retrosonic]

Gene Krupa was the first drummer to elevate the drum chair to Star status. Besides his incredible playing, his show business personna and good looks made him one of the most popular musicians in the country.