Wait, this IS 1984, or '87? I thought I must've been older to have appreciated this the first time I saw it, when it was new. (I'd only been playing for a few years when this first came out and my drum instructor showed me.)
Damn... please excuse my enthusiasm guys (and gals)! But this video gives me chills every time I see it. It just demonstrates complete mastery in a way . It renders me speechless. (All of my recent comments have been 10 minutes after viewing this vid 4 times in a row.)
Oops... just realized... I'm commenting on the wrong page! This is the shorter clip I brought up to see the view counts. The full version of this vid to watch is "Steve Gadd - Drumsolo Zildjian Days 1984." (Yes, it was 87.)
wladislaus: no disrespect at all, promise, but add new tags or something, because this vid is barely getting the hits it deserves. It needs to be OUT THERE!! Shorter chunks of it have 20 times the # views, literally. A real shame, because this is among the best displays of solo drumming anywhere. He's playing a SONG, w/ STRUCTURE, FEEL, and DEPTH. It should be required viewing for any drummer who'll ever play a backbeat. Near the top of the list of "Video Rudiment" for all drummers, in a sense.
Geeze, can't believe ANY drummer (who is not new) doesn't appreciate (or does SLAM!) Gadd. It's like the quote "If you have to ask, you'll never know." You feel his depth, or don't get it. Is it the lack of flurry of notes? Please.That's rarely "music" in the sense of what 20th century popular music is: the SONG, makes you want to move, or tap your foot w/out even knowing it. Gadd just DOES this. Better than anyone. It seems silly to have to try to explain. Keep playing and you'll figure it out.
dude, your an idiot, this man has one of the deepest pockets in drum history, he was a first call session guy for years.People don't consistently hire underrated drummers. You need to brush up on your drum history.
The reason why he got called so much was because other people said he was good and the reason why other people said he was good was because he got called so much. It just took on a life of it's own.
dude, seriously, think about what you are saying, there is wide consensus within the drumming community that Gadd - within the idiom he is associated with - is one of the most influential drummers of the late 20th Century; this is based not upon the number of phone calls he received, rather, it rests upon his excellence as a musician who plays the drums. I think that to suggest otherwise is simply ignorance on your behalf.
It's like "group-think". Everybody says that Steve Gadd is God and so everyone believes it because they don't think that many people could be wrong. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great and very important drummer, but the way some people just worship him is ridiculous. A lot of other drummers sound better a lot of the time.
@Mortison77577 there is a reason the term "Gadd clone" came into existence, this has nothing to do with a cult of personality, his playing significantly influenced the evolution of fusion drumming, you need to contextualise all of this in strict relation to the historical record on the matter, the "everyone thinks Gadd is god" (they don't actually) came after the fact, he established a reputation through his playing, first and foremost, you seem to be missing this.
He established a reputation through playing but then everyone started jumping on the Steve Gadd bandwagon acting like he was this unbelievable thing. His playing was really good, but he's not THAT big a deal. A lot of other drummers have better technique.
@Mortison77577 he first made his mark in the early 70s, back then his technique was considered phenomenal, he inspired a generation, here he is in 84, 15 years after making his first splash. Listen to the drum duet with Weckl on the 1990 recording Masterplan, if you don't hear the lineage, you are again missing something, Weckl also inspired a generation, and also had phenomenal technique when he first hit the scene, drumming technique evolved because of guys like this.
@Mortison77577 that's a particular generation of drummers you are referring to, I had a teacher who was like that, and even after he became a Weckl/Colaiuta fanatic, he always referenced Gadd as the prime mover for that style of playing, personally, I don't think it's that simple but every generation has their hero, ask a lot of 20 something drummers now who it is they revere and I'll bet the answer will not be Steve Gadd.
What generation of drummers are you talking about? A lot of people are into Travis Barker and guys like him, but I think he's overrated. Another thing is, I've heard some of this so-called "pocket playing" and I thought the feel could've been better. There should have been a stronger backbeat and Steve Gadd sounded a little wimpy.
@Mortison77577 I am talking here about one particular style, so called fusion, so I am referring to drummers that are interested in fusion playing specifically, not kids who follow pop bands and their drummers. I'm not sure what stuff you've been listening to but maybe you need to go back and dig out some 70s fusion records that Gadd appears on, and of course, most Gadd fans wax lyrical about the sessions with Steely Dan when it comes to pocket playing. I think you simply don't like Gadd.
Vinnie Colaiuta blows Steve Gadd away for fusion. No, I like a lot of Steve Gadd's playing, but come on, so many people just seem to think that they're obligated to worship him instead of just listening to him and learning from him. A huge amount of what he plays can be easily played by a whole bunch of other drummers. Now, I don't know how innovative he is because I haven't really followed the history of drumming, but shouldn't he be evaluated on all of his playing?
@Mortison77577 I don't think so, things progress, the contributions of various forbearer's of excellence are assimilated by the next generation and technique evolves, this does not imply that the contributions of our elders are somehow devalued over time if they failed to consistently innovate and stay abreast of developments within the field, people have to make livings also, they can't sit at home practising all their lives. I believe historical context is important see Steve Smiths new DVD
The thing about Steve Gadd is that nobody can say what's so great about him. They just repeat over and over again how great he is, but they never say why. Linear drumming isn't that big a deal. Other drummers have come up with more innovative things.
@Mortison77577 look it, you don't like Gadd, but a lot of people do, and not because others say he is great, because they like his feel and admire his musicianship, and that's what it's about at the end of the day, not technique, the guy has a lot of character, and that comes across in his playing, there are some drummers out there now who have phenomenal technique but they have no character, it get stale very quickly, it's just chops, like they say, all talk, but with nothing to say.
@Mortison77577 As you could guess, yes I think he is THAT good. The way how he can place every note in such a sweet-feeling pocket is completely his own...nobody has come close to replicating that magical, money-making feel.
And where you might not be blown away by his vocabulary and technique, I'm blown away by how much he does with that limited (compared to Vinnie, Weckl, ect.) vocab...Gadd is a "less is more" guy, whereas Vinnie I'd say is "everything AND the kitchen sink."
@Mortison77577, yes, he really IS THAT good. It's not the # of notes, but where those notes sit. In relation to each other, & in relation to the band, and what his placement "imposes" on the rest of the band. Most who have played with Gadd describe the temporal canvass he creates for them as consistent "bliss." And that means a LOT - they don't say it about any other drummer so consistently. He forces the other band members to be their best, and so is recognized as the best "musician" drummer.
@Mortison77577, yes, TONS of other musicians CAN articulate what's so great about Gadd, and do! The best musicians in the world consistently call Gadd the most inspiring, "feeling", "brings the best out of us" drummer ever. If you can't hear how this pulse sits so sublimely, then I guess -- and I promise I mean no offense -- that you're young, new, or just not into "feel"? You prefer Vinnie, no? Great! Vinnie can do lots no one else can. I love him. Just note, he can't do what's in this vid.
@Mortison77577. Anthiny Jackson, among the best bassist in the world: "Gadd decisively influenced the way I hear music and is really the only drummer I've worked with who has. He is one of the important talents of the 20th century." He has also called Gadd the "best musician" he knows. Does that suggest you're missing something? Are you rrdrums? ;-) The best musicians don't need to say WHY Gadd's so good; they FEEL it - the space he creates, how the notes breathe, he doesn't rush to 1, etc...
Obviously that's some good drumming, but it's not that big a deal within the bigger picture of the history of drumming. You could say that's not the type of stuff he's famous for, but still the fact remains: STEVE GADD IS HIGHLY OVERRATED.
@Mortison77577 he's playing the blues, something he loves doing, and has always done, what exactly is your issue with pocket playing? do you even understand the concept? also that's 1989, 20 years after he first hit the scene, get your history straight on this, the samba groove on the 1974 Hubert Laws release 'The Beginning' is killer, no one played like that in 1974, you sound like a guy who is totally hung up on technique, but great technique and great feel are very different things.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
It's still banal and lifeless no matter how much groove you think it has. Went no where and said nothing memorable. And his speed is second gear to many
oh my god rrdrums ... are you still putting Gadd down .. man i am not even going to chastise you for your ignorance ... i feel bad for you bro .... you are just missing out ..its as simple as that ... you , my man , are missing out on one of the most beautiful musicians in history .
i did not say this solo was beautiful ...although it is arguably beautiful .... i said Steve Gadd was one of the most beautiful musicians in history ....you picked a perfect screen name for yourself ... MCshithead
@shakemasta by now my I'm sure someone else has shown you this, but in case they haven't, here's a link to the full solo. search for: Steve Gadd - Drum Solo Zildjian Days 1984
Steve Gadd is such an amazing groove drummer. His solos flow so well. I guess drum styles are just a matter of personal preference, but when I look at Vinnie's solo from this same clinic, I'm left saying, "OK, great chops, but..."
It just seems like a lot of quadruples around the toms, etc., Not really my thing. Thanks for the post.
Every note has so much meaning. Even the simplest phases no other drummer could duplicate. This kind of solo has to be the hardest to execute; slow tempo, no accompaniment to hide behind, lots of dynamics, phrasing non-drummers can understand, perfect time with killer chops in the right place.
if this solo is too slow, please either learn how to discern subtle subdivisions, or be condemned to listen to nothing else but steve vai solos for the rest of your life. be well. 42
His snare is tuned so low. Hardly anyone does that now. Cool sound.
mprimecoleman 6 months ago
Search Joe Morello - now there was a drummer...
clondraboy 1 year ago
lol his ahh uhh ohing during his fills...i wonder how much of that they had to cut during the recording of aja..
polock2112 1 year ago
One of THE most musical drummers alive.
cbfeeling 1 year ago
wat a sound
Debonardo 1 year ago
1:13 is freakin genius
doublethumpbass89 1 year ago
Wait, this IS 1984, or '87? I thought I must've been older to have appreciated this the first time I saw it, when it was new. (I'd only been playing for a few years when this first came out and my drum instructor showed me.)
scottp118 1 year ago
Damn... please excuse my enthusiasm guys (and gals)! But this video gives me chills every time I see it. It just demonstrates complete mastery in a way . It renders me speechless. (All of my recent comments have been 10 minutes after viewing this vid 4 times in a row.)
Oops... just realized... I'm commenting on the wrong page! This is the shorter clip I brought up to see the view counts. The full version of this vid to watch is "Steve Gadd - Drumsolo Zildjian Days 1984." (Yes, it was 87.)
scottp118 1 year ago
wladislaus: no disrespect at all, promise, but add new tags or something, because this vid is barely getting the hits it deserves. It needs to be OUT THERE!! Shorter chunks of it have 20 times the # views, literally. A real shame, because this is among the best displays of solo drumming anywhere. He's playing a SONG, w/ STRUCTURE, FEEL, and DEPTH. It should be required viewing for any drummer who'll ever play a backbeat. Near the top of the list of "Video Rudiment" for all drummers, in a sense.
scottp118 1 year ago
Geeze, can't believe ANY drummer (who is not new) doesn't appreciate (or does SLAM!) Gadd. It's like the quote "If you have to ask, you'll never know." You feel his depth, or don't get it. Is it the lack of flurry of notes? Please.That's rarely "music" in the sense of what 20th century popular music is: the SONG, makes you want to move, or tap your foot w/out even knowing it. Gadd just DOES this. Better than anyone. It seems silly to have to try to explain. Keep playing and you'll figure it out.
scottp118 1 year ago
Steve Gadd is overrated.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
dude, your an idiot, this man has one of the deepest pockets in drum history, he was a first call session guy for years.People don't consistently hire underrated drummers. You need to brush up on your drum history.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
The reason why he got called so much was because other people said he was good and the reason why other people said he was good was because he got called so much. It just took on a life of it's own.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
dude, seriously, think about what you are saying, there is wide consensus within the drumming community that Gadd - within the idiom he is associated with - is one of the most influential drummers of the late 20th Century; this is based not upon the number of phone calls he received, rather, it rests upon his excellence as a musician who plays the drums. I think that to suggest otherwise is simply ignorance on your behalf.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
It's like "group-think". Everybody says that Steve Gadd is God and so everyone believes it because they don't think that many people could be wrong. Don't get me wrong, I think he's a great and very important drummer, but the way some people just worship him is ridiculous. A lot of other drummers sound better a lot of the time.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 there is a reason the term "Gadd clone" came into existence, this has nothing to do with a cult of personality, his playing significantly influenced the evolution of fusion drumming, you need to contextualise all of this in strict relation to the historical record on the matter, the "everyone thinks Gadd is god" (they don't actually) came after the fact, he established a reputation through his playing, first and foremost, you seem to be missing this.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
He established a reputation through playing but then everyone started jumping on the Steve Gadd bandwagon acting like he was this unbelievable thing. His playing was really good, but he's not THAT big a deal. A lot of other drummers have better technique.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 he first made his mark in the early 70s, back then his technique was considered phenomenal, he inspired a generation, here he is in 84, 15 years after making his first splash. Listen to the drum duet with Weckl on the 1990 recording Masterplan, if you don't hear the lineage, you are again missing something, Weckl also inspired a generation, and also had phenomenal technique when he first hit the scene, drumming technique evolved because of guys like this.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
Yeah, he's important, I just think people go overboard about great he is.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 that's a particular generation of drummers you are referring to, I had a teacher who was like that, and even after he became a Weckl/Colaiuta fanatic, he always referenced Gadd as the prime mover for that style of playing, personally, I don't think it's that simple but every generation has their hero, ask a lot of 20 something drummers now who it is they revere and I'll bet the answer will not be Steve Gadd.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
What generation of drummers are you talking about? A lot of people are into Travis Barker and guys like him, but I think he's overrated. Another thing is, I've heard some of this so-called "pocket playing" and I thought the feel could've been better. There should have been a stronger backbeat and Steve Gadd sounded a little wimpy.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 I am talking here about one particular style, so called fusion, so I am referring to drummers that are interested in fusion playing specifically, not kids who follow pop bands and their drummers. I'm not sure what stuff you've been listening to but maybe you need to go back and dig out some 70s fusion records that Gadd appears on, and of course, most Gadd fans wax lyrical about the sessions with Steely Dan when it comes to pocket playing. I think you simply don't like Gadd.
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
Vinnie Colaiuta blows Steve Gadd away for fusion. No, I like a lot of Steve Gadd's playing, but come on, so many people just seem to think that they're obligated to worship him instead of just listening to him and learning from him. A huge amount of what he plays can be easily played by a whole bunch of other drummers. Now, I don't know how innovative he is because I haven't really followed the history of drumming, but shouldn't he be evaluated on all of his playing?
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 I don't think so, things progress, the contributions of various forbearer's of excellence are assimilated by the next generation and technique evolves, this does not imply that the contributions of our elders are somehow devalued over time if they failed to consistently innovate and stay abreast of developments within the field, people have to make livings also, they can't sit at home practising all their lives. I believe historical context is important see Steve Smiths new DVD
digimaton 1 year ago
@digimaton
The thing about Steve Gadd is that nobody can say what's so great about him. They just repeat over and over again how great he is, but they never say why. Linear drumming isn't that big a deal. Other drummers have come up with more innovative things.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 look it, you don't like Gadd, but a lot of people do, and not because others say he is great, because they like his feel and admire his musicianship, and that's what it's about at the end of the day, not technique, the guy has a lot of character, and that comes across in his playing, there are some drummers out there now who have phenomenal technique but they have no character, it get stale very quickly, it's just chops, like they say, all talk, but with nothing to say.
digimaton 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 Keep overanalyzing Gadd and you'll keep missing the point.
kz1000ps 1 year ago
@kz1000ps
I mean, he's good. But is he really THAT good? Is he really that big a deal?
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 As you could guess, yes I think he is THAT good. The way how he can place every note in such a sweet-feeling pocket is completely his own...nobody has come close to replicating that magical, money-making feel.
And where you might not be blown away by his vocabulary and technique, I'm blown away by how much he does with that limited (compared to Vinnie, Weckl, ect.) vocab...Gadd is a "less is more" guy, whereas Vinnie I'd say is "everything AND the kitchen sink."
kz1000ps 1 year ago
@Mortison77577, yes, he really IS THAT good. It's not the # of notes, but where those notes sit. In relation to each other, & in relation to the band, and what his placement "imposes" on the rest of the band. Most who have played with Gadd describe the temporal canvass he creates for them as consistent "bliss." And that means a LOT - they don't say it about any other drummer so consistently. He forces the other band members to be their best, and so is recognized as the best "musician" drummer.
scottp118 1 year ago
@Mortison77577, yes, TONS of other musicians CAN articulate what's so great about Gadd, and do! The best musicians in the world consistently call Gadd the most inspiring, "feeling", "brings the best out of us" drummer ever. If you can't hear how this pulse sits so sublimely, then I guess -- and I promise I mean no offense -- that you're young, new, or just not into "feel"? You prefer Vinnie, no? Great! Vinnie can do lots no one else can. I love him. Just note, he can't do what's in this vid.
scottp118 1 year ago
@Mortison77577. Anthiny Jackson, among the best bassist in the world: "Gadd decisively influenced the way I hear music and is really the only drummer I've worked with who has. He is one of the important talents of the 20th century." He has also called Gadd the "best musician" he knows. Does that suggest you're missing something? Are you rrdrums? ;-) The best musicians don't need to say WHY Gadd's so good; they FEEL it - the space he creates, how the notes breathe, he doesn't rush to 1, etc...
scottp118 1 year ago
@scottp118
Who is rrdrums?
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@digimaton
Take a look at what he's doing here:
watch?v=181-cW9FNTU
Obviously that's some good drumming, but it's not that big a deal within the bigger picture of the history of drumming. You could say that's not the type of stuff he's famous for, but still the fact remains: STEVE GADD IS HIGHLY OVERRATED.
Mortison77577 1 year ago
@Mortison77577 he's playing the blues, something he loves doing, and has always done, what exactly is your issue with pocket playing? do you even understand the concept? also that's 1989, 20 years after he first hit the scene, get your history straight on this, the samba groove on the 1974 Hubert Laws release 'The Beginning' is killer, no one played like that in 1974, you sound like a guy who is totally hung up on technique, but great technique and great feel are very different things.
digimaton 1 year ago
the power but yet all the perfect little accents,just unbelievable...
Felix4815 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i guess that mean majority of producers throughout the 70's and 80's were on coke then since they all hired gadd to play on their records....
SiCmetalfan 2 years ago
Nice feel....
bcwdrums 2 years ago
keep in mind people this was in 1987...
Veazeysbanjo 2 years ago
what's that supposed to mean. Drummers weren't as good back then?
TheMrFunktastic 2 years ago 2
1984
santaclausonprozac 2 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
worst snare sound i've ever heard - breathtaking shittiness! Anyone who thinks Steve Gadd is a great drummer is probably ALSO on coke!
szumo1982 2 years ago
ah you must be a retard, steve gadd is fucking incredible, why do think he is one of the worlds most recorded drummers.
vincentmack37 2 years ago 8
drummerworld dates this video 1984... I've uploaded a longer version of this video, check out Steve Gadd - Drumsolo Zildjian days 1984
However this is the funniest part of His solo.. 5 stars are never enough for Steve Gadd
LukeBerto 2 years ago
0:53 - 1:03, breathtaking dynamics. Wow.
2:06 to 2:12 ... uhm... holy shit? The audience's laughter is well justified.
2:27, the fill right after it.... If he'd never played anything else on the drums, ever, this alone would've earned my deepest respect.
To summarize: phenomenal.
scottp118 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
It's still banal and lifeless no matter how much groove you think it has. Went no where and said nothing memorable. And his speed is second gear to many
rrdrums110 2 years ago
oh my god rrdrums ... are you still putting Gadd down .. man i am not even going to chastise you for your ignorance ... i feel bad for you bro .... you are just missing out ..its as simple as that ... you , my man , are missing out on one of the most beautiful musicians in history .
sweetfly66 2 years ago
i wouldnt say its beautiful, its very creative and clever. i aint much of a drum solo fan anyway.
MCshlthead 2 years ago
i did not say this solo was beautiful ...although it is arguably beautiful .... i said Steve Gadd was one of the most beautiful musicians in history ....you picked a perfect screen name for yourself ... MCshithead
sweetfly66 2 years ago
oh i see you fancy him fair enough....you picked a perfect screen name for yourself ... sweetfly66
MCshlthead 2 years ago
The Greatest Groove Master!!
74jailbreaker 2 years ago 2
0:00 to 0:18 SWEEEEET!!
capitatus 2 years ago
Put it in a bottle and sell it. Its called GROOVE...
222nietzsche 2 years ago 3
wow
pat1pepo 3 years ago
steve gadd is a God!
quackbeef 3 years ago 3
the groove at the end is so sick, wish this vid was longer.
shakemasta 3 years ago 7
@shakemasta by now my I'm sure someone else has shown you this, but in case they haven't, here's a link to the full solo. search for: Steve Gadd - Drum Solo Zildjian Days 1984
-cheers
phantasos12 1 year ago
Fuck
jakeman4you 3 years ago
best drummer to ever live tell neil pert
drummrguy 3 years ago
i think he is amazing but still i think dave weckyl is better
TrimTOODLE 2 years ago
ron bruner junior and steve gadd are my two favs what about you?
drummrguy 2 years ago
weckyl.....buddy rich....gadd....vinny caliuta....simon philips...danny carey...soooo many
TrimTOODLE 2 years ago
you aren't able to write correctly...
jonathanrenoult 2 years ago
lol dude i can write just fine...i just couldn't spell those surnames right!! they are quite unusual names....great drummers you must admit!!
TrimTOODLE 2 years ago
I would say different - not better. Everyone is entitled for his ow taste.
Monitor240 2 years ago
I'll bet Steve Takes his hat off to Eddie Bayers
synguineas 3 years ago
Steve Gadd is such an amazing groove drummer. His solos flow so well. I guess drum styles are just a matter of personal preference, but when I look at Vinnie's solo from this same clinic, I'm left saying, "OK, great chops, but..."
It just seems like a lot of quadruples around the toms, etc., Not really my thing. Thanks for the post.
smilinglemur 3 years ago 2
Stands out
juanbarros88 3 years ago 2
This solo is so unique!!!
juanbarros88 3 years ago 3
great drummer
finally an artist who actually plays his signature sticks! haha
zxflam22 3 years ago
Every note has so much meaning. Even the simplest phases no other drummer could duplicate. This kind of solo has to be the hardest to execute; slow tempo, no accompaniment to hide behind, lots of dynamics, phrasing non-drummers can understand, perfect time with killer chops in the right place.
mechmove 4 years ago
theres nothing u can add or take away from this solo to make it better its just so perfect by itself
deliriumcordia 4 years ago
theres nothing u can add or take away from this solo to make it better its just so perfect by itself
deliriumcordia 4 years ago
He is the master
DrumJacco 4 years ago
This is an Excellent note in Hi-hat.
fiamm100 4 years ago
Which is the best cymbal sound to use? Is it the expensive? ETC?
fiamm100 4 years ago
if this solo is too slow, please either learn how to discern subtle subdivisions, or be condemned to listen to nothing else but steve vai solos for the rest of your life. be well. 42
timpani25 4 years ago 3
hmmm, kinda to slow if ya ask me
parregeaboppe 4 years ago
I'm not sure the concept of "fast" has a whole lot to do with the musicality of that solo.
scottp118 4 years ago
well personal im more into fast drumming ;)
parregeaboppe 4 years ago
Can someone post the Vinnie Colaiuta solo from this same year?
bhorv67 4 years ago
Between the seconds 1 and 20, is the definition of the Jazz Drummer.
protocosmo 4 years ago
were in presence of 80' GOD
blopa26 4 years ago
This is from '84, not '87, just fyi. Classic Gadd solo. Still looks weird to me w/out the beard!
hipskind 5 years ago
Very tastefull solo! Man i love steve...
simosoft 5 years ago