Why are drmmers crazy?

I read somewhere that Pete Townshend of The Who once said that Keith Moon was "the soul of the band". I agree with Townshend. When Moon died, the sound of the band changed a lot, and they disbanded 4 years after Moon died. Kenney Jones, Moon`s replacement, wasn`t  "crazy" as Moon, and his style, while being a good drummer, never fitted in The Who.

I don`t think that John Bonham was "crazy". He was one of the best drummers in Rock. He drank a lot, that`s all. But I don`t think he was hyperactive as Keith Moon was.

I don`t think that all drummers are specially "crazy" or hyperactive. Musicians are "crazy" or not, and I don`t think that it is related to playing an instrument like the drums. Jimi Hendrix in the Monterey Rock Festival in 1967 burned his guitar. Keith Moon and Pete Townshed destroyed their instruments in concerts. Ozzy Osbourne once bit a bat on stage in the 80s. He received several doses of anti-rabies vaccine after doing it! Peter Gabriel likes to "swim" in the audience in his concerts. Gene Simmons spits fire from his mouth in concerts! AC/DC `s lead guitarist Angus Young still uses his school uniform in concerts (he is nearly 50 years old, I think!) and he also shows his nude arse in concerts! Who is more "crazy"?

To be a good drummer, one really needs talent. It is not simply to hit the drums "in random". You need to have rhythm sense, something that many people, some musicians included, lack. It requires good coordination of hands and legs, technique for how to hit the drums and the cymbals, technique for how to take the drumsticks, a lot of practice. Technique for how to hit the bass drum pedal. Even good ears to tune the drums, which, if you don`t have an electronic drum tuner, you have to do it manually using a specially designed key. You also have to learn to do "tinge" sounds: when to play loud and when to play soft, how to improvise when necessary, etc. Drummers also read scores.Some of them also learn to play the piano and other percussion instruments. They are "real musicians" like guitarists, keyboard players, etc. Playing the drums is not like hitting the stew-pans in the kitchen.

Edited by Guillermo

I remember hearing a great story about Ringo Starr and Paul MaCartney, although I cannot vouch for it's validity.

MaCartney is not usually known for his cutting remarks (usually John's purview) but during the break up of the Beatles, Ringo was quoted in an interview, as saying that he was the best drummer in the world. Paul responded a few weeks later (in another interview) saying:

'Best drummer in the world? He wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles!'

Heh!

 

Edited by sigod

sigod wrote: I remember hearing a great story about Ringo Starr and Paul MaCartney, although I cannot vouch for it's validity. MaCartney is not usually known for his cutting remarks (usually John's purview) but during the break up of the Beatles, Ringo was quoted in an interview, as saying that he was the best drummer in the world. Paul responded a few weeks later (in another interview) saying: 'Best drummer in the world? He wasn't even the best drummer in the Beatles!' Heh!

Paul was referring to himself,obviously since by the late 60's he had passed all the other Beatle members in proficiancy on each of their instruments in turn. He is after all,the only ex-Beatle to release solo albums where he plays all the instruments himself. I'd like to see Ringo attempting that!

Are drummers crazy? Two words: Phil Collins. In many cases, the wife of a painter and decorator may leave her husband for somebody more exciting, such as a musician. In Phil Collins' case, the rockstar's wife left him for the decorator. He's a great drummer, but as a wildman he makes John Denver look like Iggy Pop.