Actually credit for backstick I believe should go to John Bosworth. Everytime I ever heard him speak of it & its beginnings he acknowledge Bosworth as the source. I think Alex took it another level but I'm pretty sure the credit is Bosworth's. He was a pipe band drummer even used to be a judge & teacher when I was a kid but probably better known for what he did outside the pipe band realm. Yes, Alex always acknowledged the contributions to pipe band drumming from the Swiss.
To govangadjie47< I salute your comments about the master of all pipe band drummers. However, I remember him talking at a drum clinic in Manchester (early 70s) and he showed us all backsticking for the very first time. He paid tribute to the "superb Swiss drummers" who first showed him the art of backsticking. Alex was the master in pipe bands (no doubt) but he rightfully acknowledged the Swiss guys. Best regards, Tony U'
I understand we all have the priviledge of watching this clip beacuse of you. The video was a gift from your son Drew who kept it safe all these years. He loaned it to me on vhs tape when he was playing with us. I understand you had a part in that safe keeping also. We have you to thank for this incredible clip. I was there also. Awesome memory.
I had the priviledge to be there the night this performance was held. I am a volunteer with the Stone Mountain Highland Games and a drummer, as well. I was in awe of Alec and his prowess with a drum. We miss him and continually think of this giant of a drummer in Scottish Pipe Bands!!!
My favourite drum salute! Apart from Alex Can anyone name the other drummers? I can only recongnise Eric Ward but I am sure the others must be well known.
It is great to see this on you tube. It is staggering that the world has been so ignorant of the technical brilliance of Highland Drumming up to now...There should be DVD's filled with this stuff in the shops and Scots drummers recognised properly for their contribution to world drumming standards.
I was there... it was one of the things that got me started in the pipe band world. BCAL came to Stone Mountain many times in my youth. Awesome experience.
I remember seeing Alex Duthart at the Cowel Gathering in 1960 with shotts PB.The drum corps were fantastic,something to aspire to.Could someone tell me who Max Rayne was please,and is Drew Duthart who plays with the 78th Frazer's Alex's son? I've not been involved with a pipe band for years and I am out of touch with whats going on these days.
Max Rayne was a British philanthropist, and a heck of a nice guy. He passed away in 2003. He was knigted and made a life peer, Lord Rayne, did a lot of great charities work too.
I would disagree. Or rather, I would argue that the Max Rayne the salute is referring to is not the same one you talk about. Max Rayne was the owner of the Invergordon Distillery. Alex played in the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band for many years.
Yes, I know the guy on extreme right with red drum. Name is Peter Spear. No correspondance please. He has further developed his talent to imeasurable extremes.
Absolutely mate, but we mustn't forget Kit Reynolds, who played with Alex for Invergordon Distillery pipe band way back....now that was a snare drummer!!...His son Graham Reynolds, who played for Dornoch was amazing too!!
I second the fine comments about Kit and Graham Reynolds. Many of you might not be aware that they lived and played in the US for a few years. I was a piper in the City of Wilmington (Delaware) PB in the late '60's and got to know these two drummers quite well. I remember playing the one and only Invergordon record with Kit listening (he was the kettle drummer on the piobaireachd track). He, as well as anyone who knew him, spoke almost godlike of "Big Alex". Those were the days...
I'm Kit's grandson and I'm sure he'll be delighted to know people still think of him fondly. My grandad and uncle Graham still go on about there time over in the states, in particular Delaware, where they made many friends. Good times indeed....
Kit will know exactly who I am when you tell him my wife and I stayed at his home in Invergordon when I was preparing to compete in the Gold Medal at Inverness in '82. I hope both he and "Uncle" Graham are doing well!
Wow, Isn't the first guy from let to right Mr. Alex Duthart? I've always thought it was him. Heh. He really looks to be the one "in charge" at the video.
They talk about Shotts and Dykehead being legendary now, they were legendary when Tom MacAllister and Alex Duthart had them.Let's hear more of this kind of music.
Actually credit for backstick I believe should go to John Bosworth. Everytime I ever heard him speak of it & its beginnings he acknowledge Bosworth as the source. I think Alex took it another level but I'm pretty sure the credit is Bosworth's. He was a pipe band drummer even used to be a judge & teacher when I was a kid but probably better known for what he did outside the pipe band realm. Yes, Alex always acknowledged the contributions to pipe band drumming from the Swiss.
SSA76 1 week ago
To govangadjie47< I salute your comments about the master of all pipe band drummers. However, I remember him talking at a drum clinic in Manchester (early 70s) and he showed us all backsticking for the very first time. He paid tribute to the "superb Swiss drummers" who first showed him the art of backsticking. Alex was the master in pipe bands (no doubt) but he rightfully acknowledged the Swiss guys. Best regards, Tony U'
tonyu49 1 week ago
I understand we all have the priviledge of watching this clip beacuse of you. The video was a gift from your son Drew who kept it safe all these years. He loaned it to me on vhs tape when he was playing with us. I understand you had a part in that safe keeping also. We have you to thank for this incredible clip. I was there also. Awesome memory.
SSA76 2 months ago
I had the priviledge to be there the night this performance was held. I am a volunteer with the Stone Mountain Highland Games and a drummer, as well. I was in awe of Alec and his prowess with a drum. We miss him and continually think of this giant of a drummer in Scottish Pipe Bands!!!
RonFowlie60
1942dandy 2 months ago
this would of been a couple of weeks before he passed , R.I.P God
KyleArran33 3 months ago
i had is drumsticks so he must be good!!
mfranney77 6 months ago
Brings back lots of memories.
piperbob2 7 months ago
My favourite drum salute! Apart from Alex Can anyone name the other drummers? I can only recongnise Eric Ward but I am sure the others must be well known.
bille1131 8 months ago
A beautiful sight! Pure magic!
come2drum 9 months ago
We're still waiting for another true innovator like Duthart. He's still the king.
UdallIn72 10 months ago
Correct If it wasn't for Alex.
I wonder how mush influence he had on the corps of the Swiss Army that played at this years Edinburgh Tattoo ?
But how about the influence the many leading drummers and Pipe Majors who taught many years ago in America and Canada ?
Blame them for Field Marshal Montgomery etc winning the Worlds year after year...... or is it because they practice harder ??
Who cares they all sound fantastic. Especially the drum corps . but none as good as THE KING.
govangadjie47 2 years ago
if it wasnt for alex the drumming we play today would not exist fantastic
imi72000 2 years ago 2
It's only a Tap or a Roll :O)
God bless the big Man.
Bigirishcunt 2 years ago
Awesome Video!!
54spiritedwill54 2 years ago
They are one and the same man. Or, I should say, were, since he has passed away.
avlewis 3 years ago
Sorry...in response to an earlier thread regarding who Max Rayne was.
avlewis 3 years ago
that was insanely fast!!!!!
jonno69098887776766 3 years ago
Big Alex was simply the best, What a pair of hands, and the visionary way he brought pipe band drumming forward ;-)
davemacb 3 years ago
Is that Eric Ward 2nd from the right?
JamesGray07 3 years ago
It is indeed!!!
jobieloon 3 years ago
well, what do you know, its scottish power!
westsideprductions 3 years ago
It is great to see this on you tube. It is staggering that the world has been so ignorant of the technical brilliance of Highland Drumming up to now...There should be DVD's filled with this stuff in the shops and Scots drummers recognised properly for their contribution to world drumming standards.
martialpiper 3 years ago
I was there... it was one of the things that got me started in the pipe band world. BCAL came to Stone Mountain many times in my youth. Awesome experience.
pipermohr 3 years ago
jimkil patrick is in line
boxersmith 3 years ago
I remember seeing Alex Duthart at the Cowel Gathering in 1960 with shotts PB.The drum corps were fantastic,something to aspire to.Could someone tell me who Max Rayne was please,and is Drew Duthart who plays with the 78th Frazer's Alex's son? I've not been involved with a pipe band for years and I am out of touch with whats going on these days.
keith352916102 4 years ago
Yes Drew is Alex's son. There are several videos of him on here; search under 78th Fraser Highlanders and look for the lead tip.
drummaxx 3 years ago
Thanks drummaxx,I have watched most of the vidoes you mention,they are great,but who was Max Rayne?
keith352916102 3 years ago
Max Rayne was a British philanthropist, and a heck of a nice guy. He passed away in 2003. He was knigted and made a life peer, Lord Rayne, did a lot of great charities work too.
IC2720 3 years ago
I would disagree. Or rather, I would argue that the Max Rayne the salute is referring to is not the same one you talk about. Max Rayne was the owner of the Invergordon Distillery. Alex played in the Invergordon Distillery Pipe Band for many years.
sirlysis 3 years ago
I stand corrected, and I do believe yours is the correct answer.
IC2720 3 years ago
Yes, I know the guy on extreme right with red drum. Name is Peter Spear. No correspondance please. He has further developed his talent to imeasurable extremes.
LaidBackIslandBoy 4 years ago
Billy Gladstone and Alex Duthart. Two of the Greatest snare drummers the world has ever known!!
mfh2kdw210 4 years ago
Absolutely mate, but we mustn't forget Kit Reynolds, who played with Alex for Invergordon Distillery pipe band way back....now that was a snare drummer!!...His son Graham Reynolds, who played for Dornoch was amazing too!!
austin171176 4 years ago
I second the fine comments about Kit and Graham Reynolds. Many of you might not be aware that they lived and played in the US for a few years. I was a piper in the City of Wilmington (Delaware) PB in the late '60's and got to know these two drummers quite well. I remember playing the one and only Invergordon record with Kit listening (he was the kettle drummer on the piobaireachd track). He, as well as anyone who knew him, spoke almost godlike of "Big Alex". Those were the days...
gapiper 3 years ago
I'm Kit's grandson and I'm sure he'll be delighted to know people still think of him fondly. My grandad and uncle Graham still go on about there time over in the states, in particular Delaware, where they made many friends. Good times indeed....
austin171176 3 years ago
Kit will know exactly who I am when you tell him my wife and I stayed at his home in Invergordon when I was preparing to compete in the Gold Medal at Inverness in '82. I hope both he and "Uncle" Graham are doing well!
gapiper 3 years ago
Is that Eric Ward second from the right?
ThereIsOnlyOneStuart 4 years ago
Yes.
Can anyone name anyone else in the line?
avlewis 4 years ago
jimmy collins, eric ward, drew duthart, alex duthart dont know the other guy
geofio 4 years ago 2
Wow, Isn't the first guy from let to right Mr. Alex Duthart? I've always thought it was him. Heh. He really looks to be the one "in charge" at the video.
cadaverr 4 years ago
*from LEFT to right...
cadaverr 4 years ago
They talk about Shotts and Dykehead being legendary now, they were legendary when Tom MacAllister and Alex Duthart had them.Let's hear more of this kind of music.
770thedoctor 4 years ago
lol its scottish power pipe band before they changed their name. Type in scottish power to see their '06 and '07 videos
low56got7 4 years ago
Notice how he originally put a swing on that part before the backsticking. No one does that anymore.
ProtestTheStupid 4 years ago
they obviously dont miss there practice lol . awsome
bigharry7 4 years ago
Awesome Video!!
drummaboybob 4 years ago
God bless ya Alex- you inspired my bro to be the kick ass drummer he is today! RIP- Midlothian rocks!
bmsskk 4 years ago
Alex Duthart was a treasure, that's for sure. Thanks for posting this vid.
Postie1 4 years ago
Did they say BCAPB, if they did than thats Scottish Power pipe band before they where Scottish Power.
5 *****'s
low56got7 4 years ago
Alex Duthart. My inspiration for 50 years of pipe band drumming. The man behind the high standard of drumming today.
brianjacobi 4 years ago
Wow, just wow. What an inspiration.
wistahanne 4 years ago
superb, crisp, inspiring.
joyceamy 5 years ago
go rory o moore
JonLuca 5 years ago
obviously you know nothing about pipe band drumming... SSA76.. youve done it again! BRILLIANT
AlloaBowmar 5 years ago
This rocks!!
kollee 5 years ago