any drummer experts?

just curious.

i studied drumming for years ...

fav drummers were neil peart (rush) and stevie gadd (jazz drummer ) however- johnny blackwell is un frick in lievable - in my opinion .

ColAngus said:

and Michael B?

electrorock said:

both are trememdous on the kit.

but it's not even close.

Blackwell's a BEAST.

ColAngus said:

As a drumming expert, what are your opinions on Billy Cobham and Terry Bozzio, because they may be my faves.

i never said i was a drumming expert ...

when u learn an instument ... really well ... u realize that most of the "experts" in any thing ... have certain "styles" they are known for or .... have perfected ...

having seen alot of drummers - live ... not live ... dvd ... etc ... i just have to say that my jaw dropped when i watched johnny blackwell .... it was said around this time - that Prince actually "put off " his tour for months because he waited for johnny b to be "available" .... i believe that .

Micheal Bland's drumming is more rock oriented, meaning that John Blackwell
could never play what Mike B. played on Endorphine Machine or on the Chaos and Disorder CD. John's Drumming is more a in the pocket type Drummer , flashy Drummer.


p.s. Im a Drummer myself

I get to see Michael Bland almost every Sunday at the Bunker's in Minneapolis. He is the leader of the band. I must admit he's never missed a note. He's really into it.

All of Prince´s drummers had a very unique, distinguished style, yes, even Kirk Johnson and Bobby Z., and I don´t think it´s fair to compare them.
John Blackwell is a great drummer, he really is, but my favorite will always be Michael Bland.Not to disrespect John Blackwell but Michael´s sound ...wow. I miss that SonnyT/Prince/Michael B . trio sound.

KoolEaze said:

to even call Kirk Johnson a "drummer" is an insult to drummers everywhere.

ButterscotchPimp said:

Why should I disrespect Kirk Johnson if Prince and Michael B himself consider him one of Mpls´s best drummers ? Sure, I didn´t like that phase but maybe that had really nothing to do with Kirk. Go and ask Michael how he feels about Kirk´s drumming skills. He mentioned him here on the org a couple of times and couldn´t understand the illwill towards Kirk around here.

Love Michael's work but John is in league of his own in my opinion.

frankly I think Blackwell is a lot of flash but can lose the beat. Seen it and heard it. Like really good ear candy. Not dissing his ability but I'd rather have a solid pocket player myself. So - a beast maybe, but depends on what you want from a drummer. I think Bland just always drove whatever he played on - rocked it in and stayed there as long as the groove went on. His solos seem more reserved, but to me that is fine. I also hate to argue - but I saw Kirk playing for Chaka Khan and saw nothing wrong with his drumming. Not a "standout" player but a pro imo. I have seen and heard lots of worse drummers that people praise. Kept it in the pocket for a long ass show. And that ain't always easy.

I agree on the trio sound. Just a giant wall of sound. Best live sound in Princes career I think.
Yo B-pimp- I like your taste in music! even if I don't agree on drummers.....

KoolEaze said:

I don't care if Prince and Michael Bland think that Kirk is the reincarnation of the egyptian drum god.

Kirk Johnson is a HORRIBLE drummer and when he was behind the kit, Prince's band suffered TREMENDOUSLY.

and if it makes you feel any better i feel the exact same way about Larry Graham's time on the bass in Prince's band.
[Edited 11/2/07 17:53pm]

Zannaloaf said:

thanks! appreciate the compliment!

Sheila E.

sexxydancer said:

I KNEW it!

sexxydancer said:

1)Sheila E.
2)Michael B.
3)John Blackwell
4)Prince

Any of y'all ever seen the Undertaker video???? the power trio of Prince, Sonny T. & Michael B. KICKS ASS!!!!! Especially their version of "Bambi"!!!!!

ButterscotchPimp said:

WORD!!!!! I woulda called Bobby Z. back b4 using Kirk!!!! How u gon' promote my man from dancer 2 drummer???? In that case, U shoulda made Tony M. the frikkin' bass player!!!!!

i dont know anything about drumming BUT i remember on the nude tour shows everyone was impressed about the sound of the drumming.

woogiebear said:

exactly!!!!

Michael B no contest.

Blackwell is great but Michael B's playing to me just comes so much more natural, he doesn't need the flash.

woogiebear said:

umm...he was a drummer prior to being a dancer. Not like you "promote" someone to drumming. Oh wait- you were being funny.

Michael B, easily; John Blackwell's good too, but although I've never seen him live, I've heard that he can easily lose the tempo, which is no good if you're a drummer.

Don't make me fucking laugh about Kirk Johnson...he is shit. I couldn't stand Prince's shows when he was playing - such an awful rigid lifeless manner of playing, and his drum programming rendered Prince's output equally sterile.

bobby z was pretty good, i think.i think i like sheila e. best of all his drummers for small club alone. but between michael b. and john blackwell i'd say michael b. because i like that phase a bit more. but they're both great. kirk johnson isn't really good, i agree with that.

malbena said:

When I lived in Minneapolis almost 20 years ago now, I used to see him with Mambo's Combo at Bunker's all the time. That was a fun band to go see! I can't believe Bunker's is still going strong. That's good to hear.

As far as who's a better drummer, it's all a matter of personal taste.

Zannaloaf said:

Kayn. John was perfect for that James Brown influenced /jazz beat phase..

Big Tour? Sounding like the original record? Michael B.

John is a "master percussionist/experimental type of drummer".

Michael B is a rock/funk tour band drummer..


Mr. Nelson favors alot of JB-style "change-ups" on his tours, but Michael B keeps that groove going crisp and precise to the record..

I think that John can "improvise on a dime" better than any of Prince's drummers, and that's why Prince likes him.

I'd like John or Sheila a Madhouse/N.E.W.S/Xeno type of Tour of smaller venues..

The Nude Tour rehearsals blew so far by a drummer.


"This is what it sounds like..When "Booters" Cry.."
[Edited 12/26/07 8:08am]
[Edited 12/26/07 8:25am]

Both great.

How creative are they though? Do they come up with beats themselves or just play as prince wants them?

electrorock said:

I am a great drummer....blackwell wax the floor with bland ass