The Beatles “Long Tall Sally” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2026-09-21 | The Beatles “Long Tall Sally” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover
Drums Only “Monkey Man” Rolling Stones • Charlie Watts Vintage Drummer 2025-07-16 | With the backing trackyoutu.be/ntk113wnANE?si=NviC6QVPr0m2jRdt
The Beatles “The Word” Ringo Starr • Drum Cover (improved audio!) Vintage Drummer 2025-07-09 | I did the one a while back but it was prior to me having any microphones other than my iPhone mic. Decided to do it again since it’s a favorite of mine. I’ve always loved Ringo’s playing on this one. Really happy with the drum sound I got here!I’ve been micing the side of the snare rather than having it directly over the batter. I feel like I get a more natural sound this way. Less attack and more the sound of the drum. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
The Beatles “No Reply” Ringo Starr • Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-07-02 | One of my favorite earlier Beatles tunes. Ringo’s parts here are somewhat of a mystery for me. Even after listening to isolated drum tracks. Is he playing a cross stick in the verses or hitting the snare? Are there 8th notes on the hi hats and is he playing a standard boss nova kick pattern? It’s really hard to tell! There are definitely some overdubbed crashes but I did not do that here. Was just going for a full single take. Whatever he was playing on this tune, it’s an excellent performance from Ringo and per usual, the perfect parts for the song. Here’s my interpretation. Enjoy!Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
Performing at Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago Vintage Drummer 2025-06-27 | I’ve been fortunate enough to play this incredible stage a handful of times over the last 15 or so years. Easily the best sounding stage I’ve ever played on. Here I’m performing with my group The Heavy Sounds backing up Chicago Soul legend Renaldo Domino. Always an honor!Also, this is a backline kit. A really nice sounding Ludwig Classic Maple 20/12/14. Along with my 60’s Acrolite and 50’s A Zildjian cymbals.
*Drums Only* The Beatles “Sexy Sadie” - Ringo Starr Vintage Drummer 2025-06-24 | Full cover with Beatles trackyoutu.be/mrcRH3rl7lk?si=pzdJfunpsR-WgEB1Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s14” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
Bill Withers “Heartbreak Road” James Gadson - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-06-16 | This is one of my absolute all-time favorite songs. I love when a song is so good that all that’s required is an excellent groove with a deep pocket. That’s what this song is all about and James Gadson played it perfectly. Not one full or crash anywhere in the song. This may not blow people’s minds, especially drummers, but this performance is fantastic. Perfectly serves and already brilliant song.
Jimi Hendrix “Third Stone From The Sun” Vintage Drummer 2025-06-09 | I filled in for a friend’s band this past weekend and got to play a few Hendrix tunes. Good times!
Ramsey Lewis “Cry Baby Cry” (Beatles Cover) Maurice White on Drums Vintage Drummer 2025-06-06 | This might be my favorite cover of a Beatles song. Such a cool and eerie take on this song. This is Maurice White on drums. Yes, the same Maurice White from Earth, Wind, and Fire. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s
Happy Birthday Charlie Watts! • Rolling Stones “Monkey Man” • Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-06-02 | Today would have been Charlie’s 84th birthday. This is one of my favorite performances of his as well as one of my favorite Stones songs. I did a cover of this a while back but it was before I had any mics or anything. Just audio from my iPhone. This is much improved. Enjoy!
Some Soul Jazz from a recent gig with The Heavy Sounds Vintage Drummer 2025-05-29 | Playing the Lou Donaldson tune “Snake Bone.” The studio recording of this track featured the great Idris Muhammad on drums; one of my absolute favorite drummers of all time.
The Allman Brothers Band “Ain’t Wastin” Time No More” Butch Trucks/Jaimoe - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-23 | I randomly heard this today and decided to do a quick play along. Such a great tune and groove!
Sly and The Family Stone “Hot Fun in the Summertime” Greg Errico - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-20 | My parents had Sly and the Family Stone’s Greatest Hits in their record collection and it was an album that hit me hard when I was in high school. They had so many fantastic songs even beyond just the hits, but this tune was one of the first that I fell in love with. I’m such a big fan of Greg Errico and his playing on this song is perfect. I’ve always loved the pattern he played on the kick drum in the pre choruses. It’s actually trickier to play than you might think. There’s a slightly strange edit toward the end of the song around the 2:27 mark and the tempo of the song picks up right at that spot. I tried my best to play right with it. It’s funny because I never really noticed that discrepancy before. Drums:1968 Ludwig Downbeat 20/12/141966 Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14Cymbals:15” Zildjian hi hats 60’s20” Paiste 602 60’s16” Paiste 602
Dusty Springfield “Son Of A Preacher Man” Gene Chrisman - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-16 | If you’re not familiar with Memphis session great Gene Chrisman then do yourself a favor and look him up. He played on some incredible records with artists like Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Neil Diamond, Dusty Springfield, King Curtis, B.J. Thomas, John Prine, The Box Tops and more! Check out this great interview with him at the link below!youtu.be/uKAMKDiQaWk?si=idxEMS1A47jQ3dy2Drums:Ludwig 14x20 bass drum 1968Ludwig 5x14 Supraphonic 1966Cymbals:15” Zildjian New Beat 60’s20” Zildjian Ride 50’s
The Beatles “Hello, Goodbye” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-14 | Some of my favorite drumming by Ringo. I absolutely love this era of the Beatles and especially Ringo’s drumming and how it evolved with the music that they were writing. I tried to get all the drum breaks as close to what I think Ringo was playing. Pretty tricky though. I also overdubbed the various percussion; maraca, tambourine, and a few hand claps. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Paiste 602 60’s 15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
From a recent gig with @theheavysounds3954 Vintage Drummer 2025-05-10 | Playing with my band instagram.com/theheavysounds
Gladys Knight & the Pips “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” Uriel Jones/Benny Benjamin - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-08 | As much as I love Marvin Gaye’s classic version of this tune, I have to say that I prefer the original here by Gladys Knight. Such a hard driving groove and cool intro at the top of the tune played by Benny Benjamin. Not sure exactly how drum duties were split between Benjamin and Uriel Jones but I do know that Benjamin played the intro. Apparently Jones played the main groove through the rest of the song. Drums:1968 Ludwig Downbeat 20/12/141966 Ludwig Supraphonic Cymbals:20” Paiste 602 Ride 60’s 15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s
The Beatles “You Won’t See Me” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-05 | I remember being in second grade and hearing this song play from my older brother’s bedroom. I already knew who the Beatles were, but for whatever reason, this song just hit me in a way that got me completely hooked. That was it! I was an obsessive Beatles fan from that point on. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Paiste 602 Ride 60’s 15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
Ringo played really great on this one… just going to start flipping the “script” on Purdie. 😉 Vintage Drummer 2025-05-03 | Just kidding, I love Bernard Purdie. However, I don’t believe for one second that he replaced Ringo on anything. None of it adds up.
The Rolling Stones “Midnight Rambler” (Ya Ya’s version) Charlie Watts - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-05-01 | This is the excellent live version from “Get Yer Ya Ya’s Out.” Also featured on the “Hot Rocks” compilation. This is a tough tune to play along to perfectly due to the intentional and unintentional shifts is tempo. Not to mention the incredible way they shift the feel from section to section. The performance is very elastic, but that’s one of the things that makes it so great!I was going to set up my 70’s Gretsch kit for this one but then I got lazy and just went for it on the Ludwig kit. The Gretsch kit is packed up for gigging. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161966 Ludwig SupraphonicCymbals:20” Paiste 602 60’s14” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 Thin Crash
Derek & the Dominos “I Looked Away” Jim Gordon - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-25 | I had done this song previously a few years ago but the sound was pretty lousy so I decided to do it again. Too good of a song to not do it justice. I meant to overdub the two bars of tambourine that come in during the intro but didn’t get around to it. Such a great opening track to the Layla album. Jim Gordon’s playing is phenomenal throughout the whole record. I’ve done a few songs from this album, it’d be fun to do them all!Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161966 Ludwig SupraphonicCymbals:20” Paiste 602 60’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
John Lennon “Mind Games” Jim Keltner - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-22 | One of my all time favorite songs. Jim Keltner’s performance is fantastic. Much like his playing on “Jealous Guy”, he was taking a lot of liberties with his bass drum. I love the way it plays in and around the bass guitar. Such a cool performance.Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:22” Zildjian Ride mid 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
Robert Palmer “Sneakin” Sally Through the Alley” Zigaboo Modeliste - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-18 | Such and excellent album from top to bottom. Not only do you get Zigaboo but also Bernard Purdie on drums. So good! 1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161968 Ludwig AcroliteCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
The Beatles “The Night Before” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-15 | Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian Crash late 50’s
Jimi Hendrix Experience “One Rainy Wish” Mitch Mitchell - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-11 | Easily one of my favorite Hendrix songs. Not sure why this one isn’t widely considered up there among his best. Give me this any day over Purple Haze, Foxey Lady, etc… Don’t get me wrong, those are still great, just overplayed. Had a tough time coming in right on the downbeat out of the opening cymbal swell. Nothing there to really count it in so I’m slightly off on the first cymbal crash. Drums:1961 and ‘65 Ludwig 20/13/161968 Ludwig Acrolite Cymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
The Allman Brothers Band “Dreams” Butch Trucks/Jaimoe - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-09 | This might be my favorite Allman Brothers tune. Definitely some of my favorite playing by Duane Allman. Butch Trucks and Jaimoe both played drum kit on this recording. I typically attempt to do very accurate representations of songs but for this one I decided to just kind do my own thing while still retaining some of what they had going on. Anyway, it’s a fun tune to play along to. Enjoy!Drums:1961 and ‘65 Ludwig 20/13/161968 Ludwig Acrolite Cymbals:20” Zildjian Ride late 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
Improvising on Allman Brothers tune “Dreams” Vintage Drummer 2025-04-08 | Anybody care to see the full 7 minute version of this?
The Beatles “Paperback Writer” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-07 | I figured since I did “Rain” I should also do its A Side counterpart. Love Ringo’s hard driving groove on this tune. I overdubbed tambourine here as well. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Paiste 602 pre-serial15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s18” Zildjian late 50’s
Sly and the Family Stone “You Can Make It If You Try” Greg Errico Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-04 | Such a cool and funky tune with the different feel changes throughout. Greg Errico plays these in such a slick and hip way that the change in feel just creeps up on you. Drums:1961 and 1965 Ludwig 20/13/161968 Ludwig Acrolite Cymbals:20” Zildjian 50’s15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash
Jimi Hendrix Experience “Love Or Confusion” Mitch Mitchell - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-03 | Psychedelic masterpiece from Jimi’s debut album. The drums are really buried in the mix on this track. It’s difficult to decipher exactly what Mitch was playing. This is just my take on it. The video was blocked immediately when I tried to upload with the track in its original form. I ended up having to change the key of the song by a half step. Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161966 5x14 Ludwig Supraphonic Cymbals:20” Paiste 602 pre-serial15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash18” Zildjian crash late 50’s
The Beatles “Rain” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-04-01 | I think most of us know the history behind this tune. It was recorded at a much faster tempo and the tape was then slowed down to give it the trippy/dreamy quality that it has. Ringo has always said that this is his favorite performance. It’s definitely near the top for me as well but I think I’d have to pick “ She Said She Said” over this one. This is a tough tune to play along to. The song gradually slows down as it goes along and ends up being around 6 or 7 bpm slower by the end. The breaks in the choruses consistently drag back in with Ringo really pulling the beat back during the 16th note fills. I found that it took a lot of concentration to play along to those sections. It’s funny how you don’t really notice that when you’re just listening to it. Such a great song though and a monumental performance from Ringo.One thing to note, that spot around 0:43 where I hit the rim instead of the drum is intentional. If you listen closely to the recording, you can hear that Ringo accidentally did that. I had to really slow the recording down to figure out where exactly in that 2 bar fill that it happens. Ha!I overdubbed tambourine on here as well. 1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161962 5.5x14 Ludwig Jazz FestivalCymbals:20” Paiste 602 pre-serial15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s20” A Zildjian late 50’s
Jimi Hendrix Experience “Stone Free” (Studio Version) Mitch Mitchell Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-31 | Drums:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161966 5x14 Ludwig Supraphonic Cymbals:20” Paiste 602 pre-serial15” Zildjian New Beats 60’s16” Paiste 602 thin crash18” Zildjian crash late 50’s
Joe Cocker “With A Little Help From My Friends” B.J. Wilson - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-28 | I’ve always been blown away by this song and performance. The energy and vibe are off the charts. My parents had this album so I heard it at a very young age and then it was also used for the opening credits of the great tv show “The Wonder Years.” BJ Wilson’s performance here is spectacular! Gear:1961 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/161966 5x14 Supraphonic 20” Paiste 602 pre-serial16” Paiste 602 18” 50’s A Zildjian15” 60’s Zildjian New Beats
Drumming with @theheavysounds3954 Vintage Drummer 2025-03-27 | From last night’s gig with the Heavy Sounds3/26/25
The Rolling Stones “19th Nervous Breakdown” Charlie Watts - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-26 | A favorite earlier Stones tune of mine along with a favorite performance from Charlie. I decided to play my 60’s Ludwig kit since that’s what Charlie was playing during this period. I think they sound pretty darn close to the sound that he got on this recording. ‘61 Ludwig Super Classic 22/13/16Ludwig Supraphonic 5x14 1966Paiste 602 pre serial 20” ridePaiste 602 16” crashZildjian New Beat 15” hats 60’s
The Doors “Love Me Two Times” John Densmore Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-24 | I’ve always loved John Densmore’s approach on this tune. He consistently used tom fills as motifs within grooves to give his drum parts a hook and more melodic feel.
The Doors “L.A. Woman” John Densmore - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-21 | Much like Ringo, John Desmore came up with great and unique parts for songs. Also had a very identifiable sound. Tried my best to recreate that here.
The Band “Don’t Do It” Levon Helm - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-19 | From The Band’s 1971 live album Rock of Ages. Such a phenomenal groove and overall vibe. Levon is one of the all time greats! Check this out as well!youtu.be/ZjbAppJtx7E?si=o2LnJ83Jl8W1ToH-
The Beatles “Hey Jude” Ringo Starr - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-17 | Not sure if there is any truth to this story, but apparently Ringo was using the bathroom when the band began recording this take and it’s said that is the reason for him coming in a bit later. I kind of feel like that might just be a myth but it’s a good story at the very least. This is the Beatles song that pretty much started it all for me. My parents had this single in their record collection and I remember hearing it at a very young age. I was immediately hooked and so began the Beatles obsession.
“You Can’t Always Get What You Want” - Rolling Stones - Live ‘72 style Vintage Drummer 2025-03-15 | Performing with Stones tribute ‘Rocks Off’ at Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, MI • 3/14/25
Bernard Purdie “Rock Steady” Aretha Franklin - Drum Cover Vintage Drummer 2025-03-14 | Classic performance from the great Bernard Purdie. Love how the verse groove leaves out beat 1 on the bass drum. Gives the tune such a propulsive and unique feel.
