Born to Drum by Tony Barrell

Description

Finally: the drummers get their due. Drummers are the heartbeat of every band — yet they’re often the least understood musicians on stage, the butt of the jokes, the first blamed and last praised. In Born to Drum, published in 2015, British journalist Tony Barrell sets out to give them their proper due, exploring the extraordinary history of the world’s most primitive instrument and the players who made it sing.

Barrell interviews some of the most famous and influential drummers of our time — including Chad Smith and Ginger Baker — while investigating the legends who came before: the wild brilliance of Keith Moon, the thunder of John Bonham, the pioneering fire of Sheila E. and Dave Grohl. Along the way he analyzes the great debates of the craft — feel versus technique, power versus subtlety — and what separates good timekeeping from true greatness.

Smart, rhythmic, and full of character, this is a must for musicians and a revelation for listeners who never thought about who’s driving the beat. You’ll never hear your favorite records the same way again.

The untold story of the men and women behind the kit

Drummers are the heartbeat of every band — yet they’re often the least understood musicians on stage. In Born to Drum, published in 2015, British journalist Tony Barrell sets out to give them their due, exploring the extraordinary history of the world’s most primitive instrument and the players who made it sing.

Barrell interviews some of the most famous, revered, and influential drummers of our time — including Chad Smith and Ginger Baker — while investigating the legends who came before: the wild brilliance of Keith Moon, the thunder of John Bonham, and the pioneering fire of Sheila E. and Dave Grohl. Along the way he analyzes the greatest drum tracks ever recorded and meets the fastest, loudest, and most inventive players in the world — including the first musician to pilot a “flying drum kit” onstage.

Filled with fascinating insights and little-known details, Born to Drum elevates drummers and their achievements to their rightful place in music lore.

For readers who

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• Play the drums — or wish they did.
• Love rock and pop history told from a fresh angle.
• Want the stories behind the beats they grew up on.

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A must for music lovers: the definitive celebration of the drummer’s art.