BORN TO DRUM: The Truth About the World’s Greatest Drummers—From John Bonham and Keith Moon to Sheila E. and Dave Grohl by Tony Barrell, an extraordinary book about the world’s most primitive instrument, and the musicians that have made it legendary.
Beating the hell out of a drum kit is hard and demanding work. Listen to Ringo Starr yelling that there are “blisters on me fingers” at the end of the Beatles’ “Helter Skelter”, or Nicko McBrain of Iron Maiden summarizing his drumming injuries (“I’ve busted my nose, given myself a few black eyes, and I’ve hurt my hand a few times and buggered my thumb up”) and it’s clear that drummers give everything they’ve got—even when it hurts! Because, as Cherisse Osei puts it, “you have to carry on: it’s like an unwritten law.” And yet drummers are often viewed with derision—stereotyped as crazy, borderline psychotic, or just plain dumb. But as every musician knows, to have a great band, you need a great drummer.
“A band without a drummer is like a rocking chair that somebody has cruelly bolted to the floor: while it may appear to rock, it actually doesn’t. And yet drums don’t simply add rhythm to the music we listen to: these apparently primitive acoustic instruments bring drama, warmth, texture, and humanity to it as well.” —Tony Barrell, BORN TO DRUM
For the first time, journalist Tony Barrell shines a long-overdue spotlight on these musicians, offering an exciting look into their world, their art, and their personalities, and giving them the respect they rightfully deserve. Lovers of music and music history will delve into a narrative full of interviews with some of the most famous and revered drummers of our time—including Chad Smith, Ginger Baker, Clem Burke, Sheila E., Phil Collins, Nick Mason, Patty Schemel, Butch Vig, and Omar Hakim—who share astonishing truths about their work and lives. He investigates the lives of late, great drummers such as Keith Moon and John Bonham, analyzes many of the greatest drum tracks ever recorded, and introduces us to the world’s fastest drummer, the world’s loudest drummer, and the first musician to pilot a “flying drum kit” on stage.
Tony Barrell takes us back in time to explore the colorful history of the drums, and he reveals some of the world’s “secret drummers” – the famous actors, singers, and politicians with little-known drumming skills. He asks why people become drummers, and what qualities they need, and finds some surprising answers. Filled with fascinating stories and facts, BORN TO DRUM elevates drummers and their achievements to their rightful place in the culture of the world.
ABOUT TONY BARRELL
Tony Barrell is a British journalist who has written frequently on pop music and popular culture for the Sunday Times, among other publications. Topics have included The Beatles, Abbey Road Studios, the longest songs ever recorded, the history of tribute bands, the world’s strangest concert venues, and the exercise music used by celebrities. Among the many music stars Barrell has interviewed and profiled are Ronnie Wood, Jimmy Page, Ginger Baker, Shirley Manson, Joan Baez, the Dixie Chicks, and Celine Dion. He lives in London.