Famous Drummers - Off their usual style/genre

Chromium

Senior Member
I was amazed whilst reading a biography of John Lydon to find out that Ginger Baker was in fact drumming on Public Image Limited's album 'Album', and also the guitarist on the album was one Steve Vai, who even considers it some of his best work. Miles Davies even played trumpet on some of the recordings, however that was never used.

Now I know Public Image Limited is not to everyone's taste, and the brand of chaotic avant-guard and power pop is equally hated and loved, but to find those two/three well respected artists known for their virtuosity and technical prowess in other areas of music was a bit of a surprise.

It got me wondering if any other 'greats' ever strayed from their normal styles or genres, playing outside their usual comfort zone?
 
Dave Lombardo doing Vivaldi (The Four Seasons). Doesn't get much more out of your comfort zone than that!
 
It got me wondering if any other 'greats' ever strayed from their normal styles or genres, playing outside their usual comfort zone?

I'm not famous and I'm not great, but everything I play seems to be outside my comfort zone, lol.

I like these two clips of my favorite drummer :)

Since you beat me to it Andy, I put a different link which is also pretty much off his usual style/genre :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxYw7Y45Eo
 
Neil Peart's many attempts at big band are legendary.
 
Since you beat me to it Andy, I put a different link which is also pretty much off his usual style/genre :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rxYw7Y45Eo
Ah yes, I resisted putting this one up (a truly epic performance IMHO), & instead, opted for some more obscure (& in some ways more standard) stuff.

Neil Peart's many attempts at big band are legendary.
Still better/more authentic than anything I could manage in that genre though :(
 
I was amazed whilst reading a biography of John Lydon to find out that Ginger Baker was in fact drumming on Public Image Limited's album 'Album', and also the guitarist on the album was one Steve Vai, who even considers it some of his best work. Miles Davies even played trumpet on some of the recordings, however that was never used.

Now I know Public Image Limited is not to everyone's taste, and the brand of chaotic avant-guard and power pop is equally hated and loved, but to find those two/three well respected artists known for their virtuosity and technical prowess in other areas of music was a bit of a surprise.

It got me wondering if any other 'greats' ever strayed from their normal styles or genres, playing outside their usual comfort zone?

If memory serves, Tony Williams also contributed to that PIL project. Not really so unusual for TW though. He seemed open to all kinds of music.
 
Numerous rock guys have small fusion bands on the side. The Baked Potato in Los Angeles features jazz/fusion bands, and I'd say the majority of players appearing are not known for the fusion playing.

The not just Neil, but all the Buddy Tribute concerts and Burning for Buddy sessions have all featured drummers largely not known for playing big band music. So that's a pretty long list just there.

Steve Smith did a metal album with Tony MacApline "Edge of Insanity" in 1986.

Tony Williams was experimenting with double bass right before he died. And somewhere there is a yotube clip of Tony playing the Miami Vice theme song live with Jan Hammer. Kind of odd seeing a jazz legend playing a pop song.
 
Stanton Moore with Corrosion of Conformity was pretty unexpected and pretty great.
 
Steve Gadd plays pop, rock, funk, fusion, straight ahead, country, blues and Latin and I'm sure he'd be fine with prog, classical, African or anything else you threw at him. Maybe not Indian ...
 
You're a very very naughty boy ;) ;) ;)


I like these two clips of my favorite drummer :)

Performances - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vSPjTmqGjA
-------------------- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5HaHhXB05U


Rehearsal - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtA3cAXu-Lo

Nice Andy.Simon is to my ears the British version of Steve Smith.The're both masters of their instruments,and can wear many hats,musicly.And more importantly fit the roll.

Some guys can play other styles,but those two don't sound like a rock drummer TRYING to play jazz or swing(who could I possibly Neil Peart be thinking of?)

I've been a Simon Phillips fan since the Who's 89 Tommy reunion tour.The guy just brings so much to the table.

I haven't seen him play a single bass kit too often.Love the British Racing green.

Steve B
 
Back
Top