I can never play like Steve and wish that I could, but he definitely was my biggest influence during his early Journey days back in '80. I've seen him twice in drum clinics and is quite an amazing and skilled drummer/player. Max Roach was Steve's influence for his excellent drum solo on the Journey Captured live album. I was fortunate enough to have Steve play some of it for me when I last saw him at a clinic back in June of 2008 as I questioned him about it. It was my dream come true.
The DVD in which i took this from, is very helpful as it shows you Elvin, Blakey and Williams type fills/feels etc. I have been using the para-diddle -diddle (wave-like) in some of my fill ideas lately. Smith's playing is amazingly precise (how often do you seem him screw up?), and is of course very musical.
If you listen carefully during Smith's more recent solos, you can hear him humming to himself and actually playing off of whatever melody comes to mind, on the fly! It's also neat to see how much freer he is with this solo when comparing it to that VHS from the 90's where he played it.
I can never play like Steve and wish that I could, but he definitely was my biggest influence during his early Journey days back in '80. I've seen him twice in drum clinics and is quite an amazing and skilled drummer/player. Max Roach was Steve's influence for his excellent drum solo on the Journey Captured live album. I was fortunate enough to have Steve play some of it for me when I last saw him at a clinic back in June of 2008 as I questioned him about it. It was my dream come true.
laplut 6 days ago
AWSOME DUDE!!!!
qtbgv2vaif 1 week ago
That massive ride is even more SEX!!
mickdrummer15 1 month ago
The DVD in which i took this from, is very helpful as it shows you Elvin, Blakey and Williams type fills/feels etc. I have been using the para-diddle -diddle (wave-like) in some of my fill ideas lately. Smith's playing is amazingly precise (how often do you seem him screw up?), and is of course very musical.
mickdrummer15 1 month ago
If you listen carefully during Smith's more recent solos, you can hear him humming to himself and actually playing off of whatever melody comes to mind, on the fly! It's also neat to see how much freer he is with this solo when comparing it to that VHS from the 90's where he played it.
NerfLad 2 months ago
i like this version better :-)
ulusot 2 months ago
You can tell Steve only cares about being musical. His flashiness is entirely secondary. So brilliant.
colourfulwithaU 3 months ago
Journey really f---ed up on this one...
MrHeitz17 3 months ago
@MrHeitz17 What do you mean Journey really fucked up?
Krafterr4 2 weeks ago
@Krafterr4 I mean losing him...
MrHeitz17 1 week ago
Wow, I really need to start paying more attention to this guy.
XxStrongDrums1996xX 3 months ago
Musical
rtweber37 3 months ago
What an amazing player, his sounds is awesome too.
bassmanjoe 3 months ago
His left hand is incredible!!!!
gddrummer13 4 months ago 2
@gohuskie, I wad thinking the same thing...
asphaultsurprise 4 months ago
Amongst all the drummers today, I think he's the closest to Buddy Rich. What do you guys think? His fluid motions remind me of Buddy.
gohuskies583 4 months ago
@gohuskies583
Check out Jo Jo Mayer... currently lives in NYC... from Switzerland.
rired48 3 months ago
@rired48 Oh yeah, good stuff!
gohuskies583 2 months ago
Comment removed
gohuskies583 4 months ago
That was freaking awesome
KarniTreeTones 4 months ago
Seen SS do this like 12 years ago.. he has evolved it a bit since then.
benaberry 5 months ago
So, now I see where that drum fill in "Separate Ways" came from ;-) Cool!
davethedrummercancun 10 months ago 4
sounds like my shredxD
TakisT888 11 months ago
The 16" floor tom is SEX!
ks3842 1 year ago 21