4 Of The Best Drum Solos Of All Time

No matter what genre you’re listening to, live music played well is truly special. It’s one thing to listen to recorded music but going and watching them perform live can show you another side to musician and their craft. Great live performances can be the true measure of the skill of a musician, whether it be a guitarist, vocalist or a drummer. Drum solos aren’t quite as common, but there have been some unforgettable throughout the history of rock music, and we’ve decided to compile a shortlist of some of our favourites.

Buddy Rich

 

Buddy Rich is often considered one of the greatest drummers of all time, and his performance in the Dominican Republic in 1982 stands as a testament to his. There are many different Rich performances that may have made the list, but this particular performance takes the cake given that it is steeped in drumming lore.

Not only is it rumoured to have been the main inspiration for the final drum solo in the Academy Award winning film Whiplash, but the story goes that the famous Jazz drummer actually experienced a heart attack mid solo. Even someone that has never played the drums can appreciate the skill on display here.

Keith Moon

 

The Who´s drummer was known for destroying instruments for time to time, and interestingly the fact that he wasn’t a big fan of the drum solo. The Who´s style has been described as one where every musician takes the lead, so in many ways if you went to see them play you were going to see Keith Moon put on a performance.

As was his and the band’s trademark, this solo in 1967 resulted in the instruments being destroyed, but boy did Moon put on a show beforehand. This particular solo is rumoured to have left him deaf in one ear.

Joe Morello

 

Another legend that belongs on the Mount Rushmore of drumming, Joe Morello had an understated style compared to some of the others you'll find on this list. This particular solo from 'Take Five' in 1959 showed off Morello's full repertoire, which was smooth, sophisticated and filled with complexity. He even played with his hands at one point, which was quite a surprise for the crowd. Interestingly, Joe Morello was born with very poor sight, which encouraged him to stay indoors and practice the drums, which could be played well on feel alone. 

John Bonham

 

Led Zeppelin's Moby Dick included one of the more memorable drum solo in the recorded version, and when the band played it live it became even more impressive. John Bonham cemented himself in the drumming hall of fame with this performance in 1970, where the drummer's fierce and accurate playing style was on display like never before. Bonham was often praised for his ability to play aggressively and very quickly, but with great precision. In actual fact, it is said that in some renditions of this he would play so hard that the stick would break, and he's be forced to finish the solo with his hands.

So there you have it, some of the greatest drum solos of all time that won't be soon forgotten. If you're looking to start out on the drums or upgrade your set, speak to the team at Drummer's Paradise. We have a great range of electronic drum kits available and a knowledgeable team that can help you find what you're looking for. Who knows, you might find yourself on this list one day!

The Origins of 4 Popular Drum Kit Brands

 

If you are a drummer yourself or at least have interest in this particular musical instrument you are well aware of the few leading drum brands around the world. There are indeed a large number of high quality drum kit brands in the market these days, with many having stories that date back a century or more. 

In this month’s blog article, we’re having a look at the histories of just a couple of these great brands.

Pearl

Pearl, arguably the most recognisable brand name in drumming industry, was founded in Tokyo just after the Second World War. The company started out as a manufacturer of music stands - which seems like quite a specific niche industry - but soon branched out. In 1950, 4-5 years after the founding of the company, he started producing drums and by 1953 all manner of percussion instruments and accessories including kits, cymbals, stands and timpani. 

The rock n’ roll era in the 1960s saw Pearl start selling and distributing products worldwide.

Tama Drums

Tama Drums also originates from Japan, and was originally marketed as ‘Star Drums’. The products were manufactured in the same building as products of the Ibanez brand were in the early days. From its founding in 1965 until the late 1970s, the brand found success in the US selling lower-cost drums that measured up favourably compared to more expensive and arguably lower quality American brands at the time. 

From the 80s till today, the brand has focused on delivering quality and distributes some of the most dependable drums available in the market.

DW Drums

DW Drums has quite an interesting story, dating back to 1972 and coming out of Santa Monica, California. Don Lombardi is the founder however he originally started the company as a teaching studio - true to its name Drum Workshop was just that, with Don offering private lessons and workshopping too. To cover overheads, management was forced into selling some equipment on the side. They struck gold when they put together the height adjustable trap seat, which allows for easier transportation of drums and cymbals. 

The demand for this product took off and DW Drums became a full-time manufacturer of drum equipment.

Gretsch 

 

One of the oldest musical instrument manufacturers, Gretsch started out as a small shop in Brooklyn and was founded in 1883 by a German immigrant of the same name. It was his son, Friedrich Jr. that took the company to greater heights as he moved the shop to a large, 10-story building soon after he took over. In the early 1900s, Gretsch became one of the most trusted names in musical instruments and was producing everything from banjos and guitars to drums and percussion instruments.

Until 1967, the company was run by the Gretsch family - at this time i was sold to a larger music company called Baldwin. Unfortunately, the company faltered over the years that followed and was eventually reacquired by Fred W. Getsch in 1985. Today, the company stands as one of the leaders in the guitars and drums.

These brands certainly have some interesting stories! If you’re in the market for a drum kit, check out the range from these manufacturers and others at Drummers Paradise.

Complete Drum Kit Buying Guide for The Next Great Drummer

Choosing your first drum kit can be a tough decision not only because of the range of kits available from the different brands, but the price is something that beginners first worry about. But don’t worry; there are plenty of different types of kit for all audiences and for all budgets.

So what makes a great first kit for beginners, and what makes the best kit for gigging pros who want something they can rely on night after night? Let’s look at some of the best drum kits and brands available on the market today.

Acoustic or Electric?

The first choice you have to make when purchasing a drum kit is the type of kit you want and need for everyday playing. There are two main types of kit available - acoustic kits or electric kits. Acoustic drum kits are the traditional type of kit that contains snares, kick, and toms that use drum skins and circular rims to make the sound.

The electronic drum kit has come a long way since its early years and now provides drummers with an alternative kit that is lightweight and small in size and with an amplified electronically produced sound that comes with all manner of different effects and natural tones. Electronic kits are a great choice for a beginner as they can be cheaper in some cases, and are also perfect for a professional looking to gig with something reliable and modern.

Beginner, Entry-Level or Pro?

Kits come in all different sizes from beginner 5-piece kits that contain all you need to get you started, up to entry-level kits that expand the range of drums and cymbals as well as more advanced kits that can be placed on a rig and added to if and when you need to.

For the majority of people, a simple 8-piece kit that contains a bass drum, snare, two toms, a floor tom, a high-hat, a ride and a crash cymbal is the perfect place to start. It has all you need to perform all of the drumming duties required, without being too complicated and causing you to under-performing when you need it most.

Choosing the Best Brand for You

There are a number of different brands that are well-known to produce some of the highest quality drumming equipment, cymbals and skins to give you the ultimate in tone and power.

Pearl, Mapex, Tama and DW are some of the best-known brands to offer a range of drum kits for beginners, entry-levellers, professionals and enthusiasts alike. Each with a range of standard kits that contain all of the drums and cymbals that you need to start, as well as offering a range of added extras to add to your kit, they also have the range of drums necessary to create a fully customised kit yourself.

Pearl have been in the game for a long time and are at the forefront of the drumming world with a number of famous drummers having played their equipment and launched signature series. One of the best-known Pearl drum kit ranges is the ‘Export’ series that includes professional quality rims and set-up to give you the best sound possible. The Pearl ‘Reference’ range contains some of the best equipment in the industry, and is used in recording studios the world over.

Tama for Quality

Tama are well known for their expertise in the world of drums, and have a large range of equipment on offer that is widely attainable for any drummer of any ability. From the ‘Swingstar’ entry-level range right up to the ‘Starclassic’, Tama has something to offer everyone. Why not choose the Tama ‘Silverstar’ to hone your skills with and work up to implementing some of the fantastic add-ons available for just about every kit.

DW Drums offer over forty years of innovation at the heart of their kits and allow anyone to pick up and play with a range of beginner and entry-level models. DW Drums are played by some of the modern world’s best drummers these days, so why not get behind some of these beautifully designed kits such as the ‘Design’ series that offers pure tone and class at every level.

Boost Your Playing Style!

No matter your level of ability, drumming has been made easier than ever to get into with a range of kits available for anyone of any ability for just about every budget. If you have the money to spend, why not choose a brand name that has proved their design and tone such as Pearl, who offer you only the very best.

If modern sounds are your idea of drumming paradise, why not opt for something in the DW Drums line-up to get that perfect tone that you are looking for. If you are a beginner and are looking to boost your ability and playing style, you’d never regret opting for a Tama kit that is made to measure for your playing style. You never know, you could be launching a new career with your shiny new drum kit at hand!